Senior Marine Scientist

Tetra Tech, Inc.; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

RPS, a Tetra Tech company, is seeking a Senior Marine Scientist to join our Melbourne team. You will deliver technically complex marine environmental projects and work with a nationwide team on diverse coastal and offshore assignments.

The role combines scientific expertise with practical delivery, mentoring early-career scientists, and engaging with clients and regulators to secure approvals and high‑quality reports.

Qualifications

• A degree in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Oceanography or related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• Approximately five or more years' professional experience in marine environmental consulting or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering environmental assessments, monitoring programs or modelling studies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports and engage effectively with clients and regulators.
• Strong project management and client relationship skills.
• Experience undertaking marine fieldwork, including vessel-based sampling.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality and environmental excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of marine environmental investigations and impact assessments
• Advise on environmental approvals and prepare regulatory referrals and permit applications (Commonwealth and State)
• Design and deliver environmental and ecology studies across a range of technical disciplines
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes against industry and regulatory guidelines and standards
• Plan and undertake marine fieldwork, including vessel-based sampling and environmental surveys, both in Victoria and interstate
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, environmental assessments and management plans
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules and client communication for small to medium-sized projects
• Mentor graduate and early-career scientists and contribute to technical excellence within the team

Skills

Marine science expertise

Project management

Client liaison

Technical writing

Regulatory knowledge

Team mentorship

Safety & quality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science / related

Postgraduate qualifications

Tools

GIS

Python

MATLAB

Environmental modelling software

Job description

At RPS, a Tetra Tech company, we define, design and manage projects that create shared value for our communities. We solve complex environmental challenges through technical excellence, collaboration and innovation.

As our Marine Science and Approvals team continues to grow, we are looking for anexperienced Senior Marine Scientist to join our Melbourne team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong marine scientist who enjoys combining scientific expertise with practical project delivery. Working alongside nationally recognised specialists, you will contribute to a diverse portfolio of marine and coastal projects across Australia, supporting clients in government,ports, coastal infrastructure and the energy sector.

The opportunity

You will play a key role in delivering technically complex marine environmental projects. Working as part of a multidisciplinary national team, you will:

• Lead the technical delivery of marine environmental investigations and impact assessments
• Advise on environmental approvals and prepare regulatory referrals and permit applications (Commonwealth and State)
• Design and deliver environmental and ecology studies across a range of technical disciplines
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes against industry and regulatory guidelines and standards
• Plan and undertake marine fieldwork, including vessel-based sampling and environmental surveys, both in Victoria and interstate
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, environmental assessments and management plans
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules and client communication for small to medium-sized projects
• Mentor graduate and early-career scientists and contribute to technical excellence within the team

About you

You are passionate about marine science and enjoy solving complex environmental challenges while working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams.

You will ideally bring:

• A degree in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Oceanography or a related discipline
• Postgraduate qualifications (highly regarded)
• Approximately five or more years' professional experience in marine environmental consulting or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in delivering environmental assessments, monitoring programs or modelling studies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare technical reports and engage effectively with clients and regulators
• Strong project management and client relationship skills
• Experience undertaking marine fieldwork, including vessel-based sampling
• Strong commitment to safety, quality and environmental excellence in all aspects of work
• Highly regarded experience includes:
• Ports and coastal infrastructure projects
• Marine water quality monitoring and ecotoxicology
• Marine ecology experience, in particular, seabirds or benthic ecology
• Petroleum environment plan writing experience
• Environmental approvals and regulatory processes
• Experience using GIS, Python, MATLAB or environmental modelling software
• Australian baseline security clearance

Why join RPS?

Our Marine Science team delivers nationally significant projects that help shape Australia's marine environment. You will have the opportunity to work alongside recognised technical experts while building your own career in a collaborative and supportive environment.

We offer:

• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• A supportive team culture that celebrates collaboration and success
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Active wellbeing and community engagement initiatives
• Annual professional membership reimbursement
• Paid parental and partner leave
• $250 active lifestyle allowance per annum
• Additional annual leave purchase scheme and salary packaging options
• Professional and technical development programmes, including study assistance, online learning and mentoring across portfolios
• Active office social events, employee assistance programme, service recognition and more

Our Approach

Our people live our purpose, deliver our promise, and demonstrate our behaviours every day. Our behaviours define who we are. Developed by our people, they underpin everything that we do. They create the memorable experiences we are known for and make RPS a great place to do great work.
Stronger together is one of our five core behaviours and it is key to building a collaborative workplace. We encourage everyone to bring their best and to support others to do the same. By sharing knowledge, challenging each other to think differently, and fostering an environment of trust and respect, our people can learn, grow and thrive – and share in our success.