Environmental Scientist

UMass Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston's MassBays Center seeks an Environmental Scientist to implement the CCMP water quality monitoring program, support community-based monitoring, and analyze data to inform decisions. The role includes data management, GIS visualization, grant coordination, and collaboration with partners across agencies.

The position emphasizes field work, technical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and mentorship of students in a federally funded program hosted by the School for the Environment at

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field or 5 years' experience in aquatic or marine science, with Master's preferred.
• Experience with physical oceanography, hydrology, marine/estuarine ecology, or aquatic chemistry.
• Knowledge of marine/coastal monitoring and data management best practices.
• Experience using ArcGIS and R software.
• Strong writing, data visualization, and communications skills.
• Experience coordinating and conducting field work.

Responsibilities

• Water Quality Project Management: update Monitoring Plan, manage water quality monitoring with partners, write funding proposals, and produce reports.
• Community-based Monitoring Support: revitalize volunteer network, assist partners with study design and analyses, train on data tools.
• Field Work and Data Management Support: provide field assistance, manage data processing/analysis/visualization, use GIS to display data.
• Grant Management and Program Support: handle grants, write scope of work, budgeting, contracting, and deliverables; mentor students and interns.
• Communications and Partnerships: represent MassBays on committees, present work, collaborate with UMass Boston faculty, contribute to publications.

Skills

Strong writing

Data visualization

Field work

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

R software

Job description

General Summary

The Center for Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded program hosted by the School for the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston. MassBays' planning area reaches from Salisbury to Provincetown, covering more than 1100 miles of the Massachusetts coast. MassBays is dedicated to protecting, restoring, and enhancing the estuarine ecosystems of Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay. We facilitate partnerships to prompt local, state, and federal action and stewardship, by convening stakeholders on the local and regional level, providing scientific basis for management decisions, and working with decisionmakers to identify problems and solutions. MassBays' work is guided by the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), a 10-year plan that describes goals and objectives to reach our long‑term targets for water quality improvement and habitat restoration to support the health and economy of communities that depend on them. The Environmental Scientist provides technical assistance to MassBays community‑based partners, state and local agencies, and regional staff to support implementation of CCMP priorities. This position is primarily responsible for implementation of the MassBays' water quality monitoring program, supporting community‑based monitoring, and associated data analysis and reporting. They participate in State of the Bays reporting, tracking progress towards habitat and water quality targets in the CCMP. Specific areas of work are described below.

Examples of Duties

Water Quality Project Management

• Reviewing and updating the MassBays Monitoring Plan.
• Managing MassBays Water Quality Monitoring efforts with partners to investigate causes of habitat and water quality decline and inform decision-making.
• Writing project proposals for funding for coastal and estuarine studies related to water quality.
• Managing data and developing reports on water quality conditions to inform decision-making.

Community-based Monitoring Support

• Revitalizing the Volunteer Coordinators Network to identify monitoring priorities and capacity needs.
• Assisting partners with study design and data analyses.
• Providing training and support on the use of MassBays' existing data tools including ETT, AquaQAPP, MassWateR and AquaSensR.

Field Work and Data Management Support

• Providing field assistance and other support to MassBays' multi‑faceted projects such as habitat restoration (e.g. eelgrass).
• Managing all things data‑related for MassBays including data processing, analysis, and visualization for reporting and to inform decision‑making.
• Using advanced GIS and other mapping tools to analyze and display data for multiple audiences.

Grant Management and Program Support

• Managing grants as needed, including writing scope of work, budgeting, contracting, and reviewing deliverables.
• Training and mentoring graduate students, interns, and volunteers as appropriate. SFE/Center for MassBays National Estuary Partnership 5.15.2026 06 K
• Managing updates and improvements to MassBays' existing data tools
• Contributing to the development of the annual workplan, annual report, and quarterly e‑newsletter.

Communications and Partnerships

• Representing MassBays on technical and advisory committees and work groups pertaining to water quality issues.
• Presenting MassBays' work and accomplishments at relevant meetings and conferences.
• Increasing collaboration with UMass Boston faculty and Centers on research projects.
• Contributing as an author to peer‑reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field, or equivalent of 5 years' experience in aquatic or marine science, marine sample analysis, or habitat mapping and assessment. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience or coursework in physical oceanography, hydrology, marine and estuarine ecology, aquatic chemistry, and/or laboratory analysis.
• Knowledge of marine/coastal monitoring and data management best practices.
• Experience using ArcGIS and R software.
• Strong writing, data visualization, and communications skills.
• Experience coordinating and conducting field work.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Grade: 31

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of June 30, 2028, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: 14 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time