Graduate Environmental Scientist / Consultant

Overview

Role: Graduate Environmental Scientist / Consultant

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Role ID: 2022-1596

Our vision is to create a safe and sustainable world

Ricardo plc is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. With over 100 years of engineering excellence and employing close to 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries, we provide exceptional levels of expertise in delivering leading-edge and innovative cross-sector sustainable products and solutions. Every day, we enable our customers to solve the most complex and dynamic challenges to help achieve a safe and sustainable world.

Energy & Environment, one of Ricardo plc’s five operating business units, is a leader in sustainability consultancy, solving complex environmental challenges through industry-leading analysis, advice and data. With more than 40 years of heritage in addressing air quality, environmental and sustainability issues, our customers value us for our deep understanding and breadth of services covering the entire value chain from evidence, policy & strategy to implementation.

The opportunity

We are currently looking for a Graduate Environmental Scientist / Consultant to join our busy Melbourne team and work primarily within the field of contaminated land assessment and site remediation. You will be an ambitious and energetic recent graduate in Environmental Science, Geology or Earth Sciences, seeking hands-on mentoring and guidance to develop your expertise rapidly. Working directly alongside the highly experienced seniors in our Environmental Science team (with 20 to 30+ years’ experience and including a former EPA-accredited environmental auditor), you will benefit from the intensive career development support that larger firms cannot always offer. This role will also suit somebody keen to acquire more diverse skills and experience across wider environmental consulting to kick-start their career, with the possibility that you will get the opportunity to work on complex Environmental Approvals projects, and Circular Economy and Waste Advisory projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead assigned project tasks and support senior project managers to deliver environmental science related projects, primarily within the field of contaminated land assessment and site remediation.
• Provide support to our environmental approvals team as required, and as associated with extractive industries, industrial facilities, waste / environmental infrastructure, and energy sectors.
• Conduct environmental fieldwork, including health, safety and environmental management, supervision of subcontractors, collection of environmental samples, coordination of laboratory testing.
• Supervise extended fieldworks programs, possibly in remote regions and challenging environments e.g. during poor weather and while staying away from home for short durations.
• Prepare reports for all stages of each project (from conception to completion) along with GIS data, analysis and production of high quality maps and drawings as appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of fee proposals and tenders, where necessary, and coordinate inputs from our other disciplines or external subconsultants.

Key competencies and experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Environmental Science, Geology, Earth Sciences or with up to 2 years professional or consultancy experience for an equivalent qualification.
• Work experience in consulting is advantageous, particularly within the field of contaminated land assessment, or having had any prior involvement in preparing technical reports.
• An appreciation of other environmental consultancy disciplines e.g., ecology, hydrogeology, hydrology, soil science, and cultural heritage would be advantageous.
• Competency using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to produce maps and drawings would also be an advantage, although in-house training can be provided to help develop your skills in this area.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and familiarity with videoconferencing practices.
• Flexibility to adapt to the preparation of environmental approvals (EIA, EES, works approvals / development licences) or for environmental inputs to planning permit applications.Current driver’s licence.

Skills and behaviours

• Self-starter with exceptional organisational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Team player ready to contribute to success.
• Professional approach to all dealings / activities.
• Sound report writing and written English skills.
• Willingness to learn and improve technical expertise.
• Ambition to develop into an industry leader.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities.

Working here

Ricardo is an exciting and rewarding place to work and you have the opportunity to make a difference. You will work with teams of talented, dedicated, and supportive individuals. Alongside having a fantastic opportunity to develop your career with us through our broad range of projects, mentoring opportunities and a personalised approach to your learning and development. We are always keen to hear from people who have drive, ambition, and a flair for innovative thinking.

Wellbeing and work life balance

Our People are important to us, and we take pride in our wellbeing programmes and policies that support individuals including flexible working, carers policy, mental health first aiders and readily available support through our extensive Employee Assistance programme.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach as explained here. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and ensure a culture of inclusivity, we are recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.

Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date.