Environmental Scientist or Senior
Environmental Scientist
Requisition No: RL1401
Title: Environmental Scientist or Senior Environmental Scientist
Position Open Until January 19, 2015.
The San Francisco Estuary Institute is seeking to hire a talented environmental scientist to lead integrative
research projects within SFEI’s Resilient Landscapes Program. The successful candidate will play a leadership role,
managing staff and projects to execute applied science research informing ecosystem restoration, water resource
management, climate change adaptation planning, and natural flood protection in the Bay Area and statewide.
The position is an opportunity to work with an outstanding team of scientists on innovative projects that seek to
improve how we manage coastal environments and watersheds throughout California under changing climatic
conditions.
We are looking for a creative individual with the following attributes: excellent technical skills; the ability to lead
and supervise interdisciplinary teams of SFEI staff and external collaborators; and experience reporting scientific
findings to managers, stakeholders, and other scientists. The ideal candidate will have an interdisciplinary
background and experience collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing diverse environmental data. Primary position
responsibilities will include conducting applied research that draws on physical and biological sciences to inform
resilient coastal and watershed management approaches. The ability to link landscape ecology and ecosystem
processes with a quantitative understanding of hydrology and geomorphology is highly desirable.
This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work with a broad range of
managers and stakeholders, a team player instinct, and a commitment to excellence. The position responsibilities
will also include managing entry and mid-level scientists, program development, proposal writing and other forms
of fundraising.
The successful candidate will have:
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PhD in a relevant field (e.g., ecology, biology, geomorphology, hydrology, physical geography, or environmental
planning) and several years of work experience, or Master’s degree with substantial work experience
A proven track record managing complex projects (including budgets and contracts), and supervising staff
Superlative technical skills (e.g., data analysis, GIS, hydrologic or hydraulic modeling, ecological modeling, R
programming)
Excellent oral and written communication skills (e.g. experience presenting work at conferences)
Experience working with a broad range of partners and stakeholders
A team player instinct
In addition, the ideal candidate will bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the position, which could
include some combination of the following:
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Familiarity with green infrastructure approaches to riverine and coastal flood protection, and other multi-benefit
adaptation strategies to sea level rise
Ability to apply and integrate landscape-scale ecological concepts to watershed management
Experience analyzing historical landscape evolution and trajectories, and integrating with management strategies
Analysis of ecosystem services benefits of restoration and management strategies
Expertise in landscape ecology principles, including spatial ecological metrics
Experience managing multiple projects in a deadline-driven work environment
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to resumes@sfei.org. Please reference the requisition number. No
phone calls please. SFEI is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on our mission, values, programs,
staff, and employee benefits package, please visit the San Francisco Estuary Institute web site (www.sfei.org).
Please note that SFEI cannot sponsor an employment visa (e.g. H-1B) to fill this position.
About SFEI
SFEI’s mission is to use scientific understanding to protect and enhance the environment of the San Francisco Bay
and California. Our science supports environmental decision making and management across the state, informing
policy-makers, resource managers, stakeholders, scientists, and the broader public about landscape trajectories,
health, and opportunities.
About the Resilient Landscapes Program
SFEI’s Resilient Landscapes Program develops innovative ecosystem restoration and management strategies to reestablish and sustain key ecological functions and services. These strategies are helping integrate natural and
human infrastructure to create systems that are more adaptive to climate change and other stressors. We are a
team-oriented program of 12 interdisciplinary scientists, planners, and GIS specialists, who enjoy working closely
together on a range of exciting projects and work collaboratively with scientists and technologists across the
institute.