Environmental Scientist

Location: Richmond, California
Program: Clean Water
Type: Full-time
Experience Level: Mid level
Position Type: Permanent
Salary: $90,500-$103,000. See details below.

Position Description

Posted:April 3, 2024
First review of applications: April 24, 2024
Application closing date: Position open until filled

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) seeks two environmental scientists or environmental engineers to join an interdisciplinary team investigating nutrient biogeochemistry and ecosystem responses in San Francisco Bay. This work will be carried out in support of the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS; sfbaynutrients.sfei.org), a multi-year science program studying the impacts of nutrient loads to San Francisco Bay and evaluating potential management actions. Working with regional collaborators, we study the Bay’s biogeochemistry, water quality, and habitat condition using ship-based sampling, high-frequency in situ sensors, and coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical modeling.

The SFEI-NMS team is recruiting for two positions. A major focus of both positions will be the analysis and interpretation of large, rich datasets (e.g., multi-year high-frequency mooring datasets; multi-decade monitoring program data) to gain mechanistic insights into ecosystem dynamics and/or to evaluate the effects of restoration actions and nutrient reductions on water quality. In addition, one or both of the positions (depending on areas of expertise and experience), will play a major role in developing an exciting new initiative to coordinate water quality monitoring throughout San Francisco Bay. This will include the analysis of high-frequency data to optimize additional monitoring efforts, using complex multi-year datasets to assess the effects of recent management actions, and convening workshops with other scientists and managers in the region. This will require the staff member to be present for meetings with stakeholders and collaborators.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

Design observational and synthesis studies to inform scientific and management questions and provide data needed for models, statistical analyses, and predictive tools.
Analyze datasets using statistical software and open source code (e.g., Python, R suite, Git).
Synthesize data from multiple lines of evidence, including both observational and modeling studies, to address key nutrient management issues and develop recommendations for mitigating impacts.
Manage expansion of the NMS monitoring program including analyzing existing data to identify high priority sampling locations and parameters. May also require field work from boats to identify prospective locations for new sensors or stations.
Coordinate with stakeholders and collaborators on development of the long-term monitoring program.
Manage projects involving internal staff and external partners and ensuring projects meet deliverable timelines.
Write technical reports, journal articles, memoranda, and proposals.
Develop presentations and/or posters for stakeholder meetings, public meetings and scientific conferences.

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

Master’s degree plus at least 7 years of experience or PhD. Relevant fields include environmental science, environmental engineering, oceanography, or another related scientific field.

Required Skills

Strong quantitative background and data analysis skills using programming or statistical software (e.g., Python, R, Matlab).
Experience applying those skills to interpret large datasets (high-frequency and/or multi-decade monitoring data) related to water quality.
Understanding of biogeochemistry, hydrodynamics/physical oceanography, environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry, and/or environmental science.
Strong communication, presentation and writing skills and ability to synthesize information.
Experience with technical project management, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills

Post-PhD experience is desirable but not required.
Experience analyzing data collected using oceanographic instrumentation (e.g. CTD, ADCP, etc.).
Proficiency in statistical methods and data visualization, especially with respect to analyzing large datasets of high frequency time series data.
Experience with data management, quality assurance, and post-processing.
Strong meeting facilitation skills and/or experience presenting to/engaging with stakeholder groups.
Ability to work well in teams as well as work independently.
Ability to work on boats and lift and carry heavy/awkward equipment short distances.

Salary & Benefits highlights:

This will be an Environmental Scientist position. The anticipated full time salary range is $90,500-$103,000 for this position (Bay Area salary ranges are listed; note that salary ranges for other locations are 10-15% lower depending on location). Salary ranges take into account many factors for making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, education, internal equity, and organizational needs. We generally do not offer starting salaries at or near the top of the range.
Matching contributions to retirement plan (immediate vesting) (403B)
Medical Insurance: health, vision, dental with employer and employee contributions
12 paid holidays
Vacation days starting at 3 weeks
Hybrid workplace: one of the positions needs to be local for periodic stakeholder meetings, workshops, and field work; will consider fully remote for 2nd position

About CW

SFEI’s Clean Water Program is one of the nation’s premier water quality science programs. It anticipates and meets the water quality data needs of policy-makers, resource managers, and the public. It helps the public, regulators, and those who discharge into our waters create more effective policies to ensure the health of our waters. The Clean Water Program consists of several programs and initiatives including the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy. SFEI is the scientific lead for this program, which seeks to address the most complex and costly issue confronting the wastewater treatment community since the Clean Water Act mandated secondary treatment 40 years ago.

About SFEI

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has a 25-year track record of providing robust and innovative science to decision-makers, policy-makers, practitioners, and community members to measurably improve the health and resiliency of Bay-Delta ecosystems. As a boundary organization, SFEI operates at the interface between science and policy, recognized nationally for our ability to build consensus to support effective environmental decision-making and policy. Our mission is to deliver visionary science that empowers people to revitalize nature in our communities.

SFEI employs an interdisciplinary staff of more than 70. Our operations and IT staff are the backbone of our organization and keep everything running smoothly. SFEI has three major programs: Clean Water, Environmental Informatics, and Resilient Landscapes. Our program staff represent numerous scientific and technological fields, including chemistry, modeling, ecology, wildlife biology, landscape planning, historical ecology, geomorphology, geospatial analysis, and web development.

For more information on our mission, values, programs, and staff, visit the San Francisco Estuary Institute website.

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer

At SFEI, we celebrate the diversity of our staff and the places we serve, and recognize the value and strength of diversity. We are committed to growing together and creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. In 2022, SFEI developed and adopted mission and vision statements for DEIJ within and beyond our organization. We also created an action plan which is currently underway. We strongly encourage applications from women-identified people, people of color, and people with other identities commonly under-represented in environmental science. We invite you to share what you like about your professional experience as well as about yourself personally.

San Francisco Estuary Institute is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, family or parental status, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Accommodations Statement

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website or application portal as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact us at 510-746-7355 or admin@sfei.org.

Please note that SFEI cannot sponsor an employment visa (e.g., H-1B) to fill this position.

In the spirit of a fair hiring process, no phone calls or emails please.

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