Environmental Project Manager - Laboratories

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.

“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.

When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.

Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life 

As a Project Manager in our Richmond, VA lab, you’ll be the laboratory’s expert point of contact for client projects, making sure every project is set up correctly, tracked carefully, and delivered accurately and on time. You will be part of a strong team of committed professionals that delivers confidence at every stage of the process. You will own a defined portfolio of client projects, follow well-established procedures, and contribute to meaningful scientific work in a professional, quality-driven environment where getting it right every time matters.

You’ll have clear targets for turnaround times and accurate, on-time delivery, plus the processes and tools to meet them consistently and efficiently. You’ll receive thorough training on our procedures, systems, and client requirements, with ongoing support from experienced colleagues, so you can work with confidence and accuracy.

The compensation range for this role is $60,000.00 to $75,000.00, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.   

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm. Occasional need for additional hours and/or weekend coverage depending on project requirements.

To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:  

• The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing clients’ projects through all phases of laboratory operations, accurately and in accordance with established laboratory procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Project set-up in laboratory database and maintenance with focus on client contact information, analysis, turn-around-times and deliverables
  • Initiating field supply orders and sample kits
  • Thorough review of sample records for accuracy and completeness
  • Delivery of acknowledgment letters and communication of anomalies and/or analytical issues
  • Tracking project progress, updating all required databases accurately and promptly
  • Timely, accurate, and thoroughly checked report and data delivery
• Serves as a professional, courteous point of contact for clients and laboratory colleagues, providing clear, factual, and accurate information about project status and requirements.
  • Anticipates possible problems or inconsistencies with client or laboratory operations/processes by carefully checking and double-checking project details and resolves them using established procedures to prevent errors and ensure correct results.

• Ensures the accuracy of project-specific requirements by carefully reviewing and verifying each requirement against client, method, and regulatory specifications.
• Communicates with clients about the nature of the samples being submitted to the lab and any potentially hazardous substances. Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and of hazards and safety precautions related to using chemicals and to performing tests on potentially hazardous substances.
• Coordinates with the lab to ensure that turn-around-times, short hold times and other sample issues are thoroughly communicated and followed through.
• Plans and prioritizes work in advance based on deadlines, workload, and other related factors, maintaining a steady, consistent pace.
• Provides support to sales staff.
• Serves as a subject-matter resource for colleagues on project requirements, laboratory procedures, and client specifications, supporting their learning and development.
• When tasks are handed off to others, follows up closely to verify that work quality and attention to detail remain high.
• Participates, when requested, in internal and external audits.
• Comply closely with our Quality Assurance Program, standard operating procedures (SOPs), applicable regulatory requirements, and other policies
• Comply with our Health and Safety Plan
• Other duties as assigned by the laboratory leadership

Your Expertise and Skills 

These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.  

• 4 years of project management experience
• Must be able to work on-site

• 2+ years of environmental-related testing experience including demonstrated progress in managing projects.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications. Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS) software experience is desired.
• Preferred experience working for an environmental laboratory company with progressive responsibilities as a Customer Service Representative, Project Coordinator, and/or in laboratory data review or quality assurance.
• Familiarity with analytical chemistry processes, applicable regulatory methods, and motivation to learn a wide variety of routine environmental testing procedures.
• Clear, precise, and professional communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to speak knowledgeably and in specific detail about project requirements, and to interact with clients and laboratory personnel in a courteous, formal, service-oriented manner.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to plan work ahead and manage a portfolio of projects at a steady, consistent pace while meeting the needs of both customers and internal operations.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy; checks and double-checks work so that results are correct and polished every time.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, applying specialized knowledge and expertise within your area of responsibility.
• Methodical, fact-based problem-solving skills. Ability to anticipate and recognize problems and communicate details with laboratory and management personnel, assisting with diagnosing root causes and taking corrective action to prevent recurrence.

• Strong working knowledge of, and commitment to following, laboratory SOPs, quality systems, and applicable accreditation and regulatory requirements

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental requirements below reflect what’s typically needed to perform the essential functions of this role safely and effectively. We may provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law, to support performance of the essential functions. 

• Sitting, standing, and walking 

• Lifting 30 pounds several times a day 

• Works in an office environment  
• May be exposed to hot and cold environments    

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its employment for individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.  #LI-SG1

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.