This is a full-time position for a candidate with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a pertinent scientific field and work experience (two years for Master’s, four years for Bachelor’s) in water quality, estuarine ecosystems, or a related area. The Associate Environmental Scientist must be able to: (1) oversee the NMS network of moored sensors, (2) coordinate logistics, oversee staff, and carry out field work in an estuarine environment; (3) collect, review and synthesize scientific data and information from various sources; and (4) communicate findings effectively in presentations, reports, memoranda, and scientific journals.
Primary position responsibilities will include:
- Managing a distributed network of water quality sensors in South San Francisco Bay, including scheduling/training staff conducting field work, coordinating with external collaborators, and tracking budgets and tasks.
- Coordinating, preparing for, and carrying out field work on a boat in varying weather conditions.
- Overseeing maintenance and calibration of water quality instruments in the lab and troubleshooting issues as needed.
- Tracking, compiling, and organizing field and laboratory data and information from studies within and outside of SFEI.
- Conducting verification/validation (QA/QC), analysis and synthesis of data collected by the NMS.
- Assisting with writing technical reports, journal articles, memoranda, and internal reports.
- Assisting in the development of posters and presentations for public meetings and scientific conferences.
- Participating in meetings among stakeholders, regulators, and permittees.
- Occasionally lifting or carrying heavy field equipment for short durations.
If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.
Qualifications
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree plus at least 4 years of experience or Master’s degree plus at least 2 years of experience. Relevant fields include environmental science, environmental engineering, ecology, oceanography, or another related scientific field.
Required Skills
- Familiarity with environmental chemistry or environmental science, particularly field work, data analysis, and report writing.
- Experience with project management, ability to coordinate field and lab logistics, strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to lead or contribute to aspects of boat or ship based field work in an estuarine environment. Please note this position will not be expected to captain/operate any vessels.
- Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills, and ability to synthesize information.
- Ability to work well in teams as well work independently with general direction from senior scientific staff.
- Ability to work and maneuver on boats on open water and lift and carry field equipment (up to 50 pounds) for short distances
- Ability to work long field days (up to 12 hours/day)
- Valid US Driver’s License.
Preferred Skills
- Experience calibrating and deploying water quality sensors.
- Experience troubleshooting scientific instrument issues in the field or lab.
- Experience with telemetering data.
- Programming skills (e.g. R, Python) or experience with data analysis would be considered an asset.
- Experience with or ability to manage junior staff and volunteers.
