The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) in Canton, Massachusetts seeks a candidate for the full-time, permanent position of Staff Scientist or Engineer.
NepRWA is a nonprofit environmental conservation group (www.neponset.org) working to protect and restore the Neponset River, its tributaries and surrounding watershed lands located south and west of Boston. NepRWA pursues its goals through advocacy, education, technical assistance, environmental monitoring, and hands on restoration projects.
The Staff Scientist/Engineer is a key member of the Association’s senior staff. She/he helps to formulate strategy and implement programs to restore the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the watershed. She/he provides scientific and/or engineering expertise to complement the legal, policy, political and communications expertise of other staff members.
The Staff Scientist/Engineer’s role involves elements of water chemistry, ecology, biology, civil engineering, landscape architecture, hydrology, geomorphology, and watershed modeling among other disciplines. In addition, he/she helps to build partnerships with a wide array of individuals in municipal, state and federal governments, as well with as academic institutions, the private consulting community, and volunteers. The Staff Scientist/Engineer regularly manages the work of interns, volunteers, part-time staff and contractors.
The successful candidate will have an unusual combination of technical, communication, and leadership skills. A bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology, ecology, hydrology, civil or environmental engineering, landscape architecture or a related field, plus three years of relevant work experience, is required. A master’s degree and/or additional work experience is preferred. It is unlikely that any one candidate will have formal training in all the disciplines that are touched by this position, but they must have a strong foundation in at least one area and must be a lifelong learner who enjoys stepping outside his or her established areas of expertise.