Ocean Job Board
0
Organizations
0
Jobs
Laboratory/Field Technician, Water Quality Monitoring program
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
Quality Assurance
Provincetown, MA, USA
Posted on Oct 7, 2025
The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) has monitored the water quality of Cape Cod Bay continuously for 20 years, and Nantucket Sound for 15 years.
Through collaborations with several other organizations, CCS currently collects water quality data and samples at over 120 stations, encompassing Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound and the majority of the embayments and estuaries throughout Cape Cod. These stations are sampled regularly providing an impressive dataset that reveals long-term trends as well as seasonal and interannual variability. This is the longest-running and only comprehensive monitoring program for the Bay and the Sound and has provided valuable baseline data on nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous), water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen concentrations, chlorophyll and turbidity for the Cape’s surrounding coastal waters. These data have been integral to expanding our understanding of how human activities and management actions affect our surrounding water bodies.
Since 2023, as part of the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative, CCS expanded its laboratory work to include processing and analysis of freshwater pond samples collected by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod from 50 ponds, representing every town on Cape Cod. This new Initiative provides data necessary to enhance pond stewardship and to shape effective pond management and protection tactics throughout the Cape.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Field Component
Primary duties include planning field work and coordinating with partnering institutions on collection of field data and samples; overseeing the recruitment and training of volunteers for the citizen environmental monitoring program and their ongoing sampling efforts; and assisting with laboratory work and data management/analysis as needed.
Applicants must be able to perform the following duties:
- Collect water samples and field measurement of basic water quality parameters
- Coordinate the collection of water quality data and samples with partnering organizations throughout the Cape
- Oversee all aspects of the citizen scientist program (training, recruitment, sample collection, data entry
- Assist in the organization, maintenance, and calibration of monitoring supplies and equipment
Laboratory Component
Primary duties include processing and analysis of marine and freshwater samples for nutrients, alkalinity, and chlorophyll, running and maintaining the laboratory instrumentation necessary to do the analyses and other duties associated with maintenance of the laboratory work area.
Applicants must be able to perform the following duties:
- Perform chemical water analyses using methods and procedures approved by the EPA.
- Adhere to quality assurance procedures by Mass DEP, EPA, and other regulatory agencies for sample collection, data quality and laboratory instruments. Maintain the QA database and participates in proficiency evaluations and inspections.
- Performs all duties in a manner consistent with company safety procedures for analytical laboratories.
Required Experience/Qualifications:
- At least 2 years of experience as a laboratory assistant
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field
- Experience in coastal field work and/or water quality monitoring efforts
- Familiarity with operating and maintaining field equipment
- Capable of working under physical conditions in the field year-round (heat, humidity, snow, ice, rain, wind) both shore-based and on research vessels
- Willingness to work flexible hours based on tides and weather, including some weekends on occasion.
- Able to carry and lift moderate to heavy field equipment
- Must be meticulous and have a high level of problem-solving abilities
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize
- Ability to follow-through and complete tasks
- Ability to follow guidelines and procedures
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
- Good written and oral communication skills
Preferred Experience/Qualifications:
- Familiarity with MatLab, R, or similar programming language
Last day for applications is October 31, 2025
When submitting your application, please provide contact information for three references