Geologist II

Staff Environmental Engineer / Geologist II

Environmental Remediation | Field & Site Investigation

Costa Mesa, CA | Full‑Time

We are seeking a Staff Environmental Engineer or Geologist II to join a growing environmental consulting team supporting large‑scale site investigation and environmental remediation projects. This role is ideal for a hands‑on environmental professional who enjoys field work, drilling oversight, and site characterization in complex industrial environments.

This is a full‑time, field‑forward position based out of Costa Mesa, CA, supporting projects primarily at oil refineries and petroleum facilities throughout Southern California.

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you will support environmental site characterization, drilling, and remediation activities, working closely with experienced project managers and technical staff.

Key responsibilities include:

• Executing soil, soil vapor, and groundwater sampling

• Supporting and overseeing drilling activities including:

• Direct push

• Hollow stem auger

• Sonic

• Mud‑rotary

• Conducting environmental field investigations at oil refineries and industrial sites

• Performing soil logging, sample collection, and detailed field documentation

• Supporting environmental remediation systems, O&M, and pilot studies

• Reducing, organizing, and summarizing environmental data

• Drafting technical sections of project reports and communications

• Participating in health & safety meetings and maintaining strict compliance with OSHA and refinery safety protocols

• Communicating regularly with project teams regarding field conditions, progress, and compliance requirements

What We're Looking For (Required)

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, or a related field
• 2-4 years of environmental field experience
• Hands‑on experience with environmental remediation, site characterization, and field data collection
• OSHA 40‑Hour HAZWOPER certification (required)
• Experience working at or around oil refineries, petroleum facilities, or heavy industrial sites
• Ability to work independently in the field with minimal supervision
• Strong technical writing, communication, and documentation skills
• Willingness to travel locally and occasionally overnight
• Ability to meet physical field demands (lifting up to 50 lbs., uneven terrain, outdoor work)

Nice to Have / Preferred

• Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, or related discipline
• Experience with environmental analytical testing and data reduction
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS, or similar tools
• Strong background in chemistry, geochemistry, or biology
• Prior consulting experience supporting oil & gas or petroleum clients
• Experience with groundwater modeling or specialized environmental software

Work Environment & Schedule

• Combination of field work and office/reporting
• Active industrial and refinery environments
• Early field starts may be required depending on site access
• Drug testing required due to site requirements

Compensation

• Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually
• Compensation is based on experience, education, certifications, and market conditions

Why This Role

• Immediate need supporting a large refinery investigation project running through Q3
• Opportunity to work on technically challenging environmental remediation projects
• Hands‑on field experience with advanced drilling and site investigation methods
• Long‑term growth potential within environmental consulting

Interested?

Apply with your resume or reach out to learn more about this opportunity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $40.87/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Costa Mesa,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.