Senior Geochemist

GSI Environmental•Missoula, MT

13d

About The Position

GSI Environmental is seeking a Senior Geochemist to join its growing mining practice. The role provides technical leadership for environmental geochemistry programs supporting hard rock and industrial mineral projects in the U.S. and internationally. Projects involve mine waste, mine water, permitting, operations, and closure. The work includes study design, geochemical characterization, interpretation of complex datasets, mine water quality prediction, geochemical modeling, technical reporting, and collaboration with hydrogeologists, engineers, and permitting specialists. The Senior Geochemist will manage technical tasks and projects, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior and mid-level staff. The role also contributes to technical standards, training, practice growth, proposal development, client relationships, and conference participation. The position offers opportunities for ownership in an employee-owned company, competitive salary and benefits, year-end bonuses, a flexible work environment with potential for remote work, and participation in conferences, presentations, and publications. Base salary depends on location, education, degree, experience, and overall qualifications.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in geochemistry, geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a closely related discipline; exceptional candidates with a B.S. and substantial directly relevant experience will also be considered.
10 or more years of relevant professional experience; mining geochemistry or environmental consulting experience is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in mine waste characterization, acid rock drainage/metal leaching assessment, and mine water quality prediction.
Experience designing, managing, and interpreting laboratory and field geochemistry programs.
Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and presentation skills.
Experience managing technical scopes, schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary project interfaces.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to cross-disciplinary teams.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel domestically and occasionally internationally for project needs.

Nice To Haves

Mining geochemistry or environmental consulting experience.
Experience with PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, GoldSim, MIN3P, or comparable geochemical and hydrogeochemical modeling tools.

Responsibilities

Lead or support geochemical characterization programs for waste rock, tailings, ore, pit-wall materials, soils, sediments, and mine water.
Design and interpret static and kinetic testing programs, including acid-base accounting, net acid generation, humidity cells, column tests, leach testing, mineralogy, and related laboratory programs.
Evaluate acid rock drainage and metal leaching potential and develop source-term and mine water quality predictions for permitting, design, operations, and closure.
Develop, apply, and/or review geochemical and hydrogeochemical models using PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, GoldSim, MIN3P, or comparable tools, as appropriate to project needs.
Integrate geochemical results with hydrogeologic, hydrologic, water balance, and engineering analyses to evaluate seepage, contact water, pit lakes, tailings, waste rock facilities, and closure scenarios.
Plan and oversee field sampling programs and coordinate laboratories, vendors, subcontractors, and QA/QC activities.
Prepare and review technical reports, memoranda, permit support documents, work plans, proposals, and presentations.
Communicate technical findings and uncertainty to clients, regulators, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
Manage technical tasks and projects, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, and staff coordination.
Mentor junior and mid-level staff and contribute to technical standards, training, and practice growth.
Support proposal development, client relationships, conference participation, and other activities that help grow the mining practice.