Lead Scientist for Water Quality Program, Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)

Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) seeks a full-time Lead Scientist for the Water Quality Program in Lawrence, MA. This role drives research design, monitoring expansion, and program development to protect the Merrimack River watershed.

The Lead Scientist will supervise staff and volunteers, coordinate with partners, and shape long-term investigations. Responsibilities include supervising the Water Quality Program, data handling, and reporting; designing large-scale studies; engaging

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field with relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Water Quality Program and WQPM staff.
• Oversee data collection, QA/QC, and upload to the WQX database.
• Maintain monitoring equipment and supply inventory.
• Lead data analysis and annual reporting.
• Present findings to local, state and federal partners.
• Design and implement large-scale multi-year investigations.
• Convene stakeholder advisory committees.
• Mentor junior scientists and promote safety culture.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Interpersonal communication

Scientific study design

Data visualization tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field

Master’s degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

R, Tableau, Visual Basic, ArcGIS

Job description

Lead Scientist for Water Quality Program, Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)

Organization/Grantor:Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)

Position/Title/Fund:Lead Scientist, Water Quality Program

Type/Term:Full-time, Permanent

Location:Lawrence, Massachusetts

Salary:$85,000 – $100,000 annually

Description:

The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) seeks a full-time Lead Scientist for our water quality program. As Lead Scientist, you will be the driving force behind our research and monitoring programs. Your expertise will shape how we assess, protect, and improve river ecosystems — from designing new large-scale investigations to expanding and strengthening existing monitoring programs, your work will directly influence the health of the watershed. If you have a strong work ethic, passionate drive, and enduring commitment to water and our watershed, consider joining our team.

The Lead Scientist is supervised by the Executive Director and supervises a staff of three and a team of community scientist volunteers. The Lead Scientist will work to expand and manage MRWC’s activities in water quality monitoring and lead engagement of diverse groups of stakeholders to solve water related issues (such as developing formal watershed plans). The Lead Scientist will supervise ongoing monitoring programs for baseline monitoring of the river, wet/dry weather research to better understand the impact of heavy rain events on bacteria levels, and small-scale hot spot investigations (though these programs are managed on a daily basis by the Water Quality Program Manager). The lead scientist will also specifically design and implement two large scale multi-year investigations to identify the sources of frequent high bacteria readings in both the Lawrence Dam impoundment and Newburyport Harbor. The Lead Scientist will continue to build MRWC’s robust volunteer network and grow our partnerships with local organizations and key agencies to identify and adopt science-based solutions to water quality issues.

Responsibilities:

Supervision of Current Water Quality Monitoring Program

• Supervise the Water Quality Program Manager (WQPM) as they conduct MRWC’s volunteer-based water quality monitoring on the main stem of the Merrimack, including regular year-round sampling, hotspot monitoring, wet/dry weather research, data analysis, and technical reporting
• In collaboration with the WQPM, adjust program over time to ensure high scientific standards and improve efficiency
• Oversee WQPM in the management of data collection, data recording, QA/QC and upload to WQX database
• Oversee WQPM in maintenance of water quality monitoring equipment and supply inventory
• Oversee WQPM in the analyzation of samples using in-house IDEXX system
• Analyze data and lead development of annual reports
• Communicate findings to local, state and federal partners through presentations, meetings, and public speaking engagements

Design and implement large scale multi-year investigations

• Convene robust stakeholder advisory committees to guide/support investigations
• Create flexible investigation plans to identify source(s) of pollutants with the flexibility to change course over time as new information emerges
• Initiate and manage iterative testing and tracking with support of staff and volunteers
• In first year(s) in position, two new studies will be designed and initiated, one in the Lawrence Dam Impoundment and one in Newburyport Harbor, both to identify the source(s) of unexplained fecal bacteria spike in both wet and dry weather.
• Identify areas for future investigations

Project and Program Development

• Leverage existing projects and relationships to develop new projects
• Identify key solutions to water quality issues and work with Program Managers and stakeholders to develop projects around those solutions
• Present information to municipalities, water treatment facilities and other partners
• Mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and safety

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build enduring local partnerships to advance water quality improvement projects, collaborative solutions, and investments
• Strengthen MRWC’s connections with community members, volunteers, businesses, local organizations, and municipal government departments, particularly in environmental justice communities

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree + 4 years of relevant work experience or Master’s degree + 2 years of relevant work experience. Degree in environmental science, hydrology, aquatic biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, civil/environmental engineering or related field
• Ability to manage and prioritize a wide range of projects.
• Excellent inter-personal, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to develop and carry out scientific studies – design a study, collect data, manage data analysis and draw conclusions
• Experience with data visualization software and programming such as R, Tableau, Visual Basic and Arc GIS
• This position requires field work, including on water, in boats, and on uneven Employment is contingent on ability to pass swimming and small boating certifications.

Preferred:

• Bilingual in Spanish (spoken and written)
• Familiarity and community connections within the watershed
• Experience in WQX

Location/Schedule:

• This position is based out of our Lawrence, MA office. Regular travel and field work throughout the watershed should be expected. This is full-time exempt with options for flexible scheduling. This position requires early morning and weekend sampling, and occasional evening meetings and weekend events. This position is an in-office position with a regular required presence in Lawrence.