Environmental Scientist

UMass Boston; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston is seeking an Environmental Scientist to support the MassBays National Estuary Partnership. The role centers on implementing the water quality monitoring program, coordinating community partners, and analyzing data to guide habitat restoration and management decisions.

The position involves grant-related activities, data tool usage, and collaboration with faculty and staff across MassBays and the university. Strong writing and communications are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field or 5 years’ experience in aquatic/marine science; Master’s preferred.
• Experience with physical oceanography, hydrology, marine ecology, aquatic chemistry, or lab 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.

Responsibilities

• Implement MassBays water quality monitoring program and support community-based monitoring.
• Analyze data and prepare reports on water quality conditions and habitat targets.
• Support CCMP-related planning, grant management, and communications activities.
• Provide training on MassBays data tools (ETT, AquaQAPP, MassWateR, AquaSensR).
• Coordinate field activities and manage data processing, analysis, and visualization.

Skills

Strong writing

Data visualization

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

R

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 The Environmental Scientist provides support to MassBays program including the following:
• 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.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link

Grade: 31

Salary Ranges

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.

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.

Departments: Ctr for Mass Bays Natl Estuary