Environmental Scientist

San Francisco Estuary Institute

San Francisco Estuary Institute

Data Science

San Francisco, CA, USA

USD 101,445-117,490 / year

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

Environmental Scientist

  • Location: Richmond, California

  • Program: Clean Water

  • Type: Full-time

  • Experience Level: Mid level

  • Position Type: Permanent

  • Salary: $101,445 to $117,490. See details below.

Position Description

  • Posted: April 15, 2026

  • First review of applications: May 1, 2026

  • Application closing date: Position open until filled

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) seeks up to two environmental scientists or environmental engineers to join an interdisciplinary team investigating nutrient biogeochemistry and ecosystem responses in San Francisco Bay. This work will be carried out in support of the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS; sfbaynutrients.sfei.org), a multi-year science program studying the impacts of nutrient loads to San Francisco Bay and evaluating potential management actions. Working with regional collaborators, the NMS studies the Bay’s biogeochemistry, water quality, and habitat condition using ship-based sampling, high-frequency in situ sensors, and coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical modeling.

The SFEI-NMS team is recruiting for up to two positions. A major focus of the positions will be the analysis and interpretation of large, rich datasets (e.g., multi-year high-frequency mooring datasets; multi-decade water quality data) to gain mechanistic insights into ecosystem dynamics and/or to evaluate the effects of restoration actions and nutrient reductions on water quality.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

  • Design observational and synthesis studies to inform scientific and management questions and provide data needed for models, statistical analyses, and predictive tools.

  • Analyze datasets using statistical software and open source code (e.g., Python, R suite, Git).

  • Synthesize data from multiple lines of evidence, including both observational and modeling studies, to address key nutrient management issues and develop recommendations for mitigating impacts.

  • Communicate findings with stakeholders and collaborators.

  • Manage projects involving internal staff and external partners and ensure projects meet deliverable timelines.

  • Write technical reports, journal articles, and memoranda

  • Contributing to and/or leading grant applications

  • Develop presentations and/or posters for stakeholder meetings, public meetings and scientific conferences.

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.

Qualifications

Required Experience

  • PhD, or a Master’s degree and 7 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of experience. Relevant fields include environmental science, environmental engineering, oceanography, or another related scientific field.

Required Skills

  • Strong data analysis skills using Python, R, or Matlab, and demonstrated experience applying those skills to analyze and visualize large, complex environmental datasets.

  • In-depth expertise in one or more research areas relevant to understanding the processes and factors shaping estuarine water quality including: biogeochemistry, estuarine ecology, environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, environmental physics, oceanography (chemical, biological, physical), or similar fields. Specific expertise areas include (but are not limited to): nutrient biogeochemistry and eutrophication; phytoplankton ecology (including HABs) and molecular ecology; estuarine physics; or remote sensing.

  • Excellent communication skills, demonstrated ability to communicate findings clearly in writing and presentations and to synthesize scientific information for general and technical audiences.

  • Experience with technical project management, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.

  • Ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with diverse groups of external partners and collaborators.

  • Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team with a collaborative and supportive work approach.

Preferred Skills

  • Post-PhD experience is desirable but not required.

  • Experience analyzing long-term monitoring data and/or high frequency environmental datasets (e.g., water quality sensors, ADCPs; in particular in tidal environments).

  • Proficiency in statistical methods and data visualization, especially with respect to analyzing large, high frequency time series datasets.

  • Experience with data management, quality assurance, and post-processing.

  • Experience presenting to and engaging with regulators and regulated entities.

Salary & Benefits highlights:

  • This will be an Environmental Scientist position. The anticipated full time salary range is $101,445 to $117,490 for this position (Bay Area salary ranges are listed; note that salary ranges for other locations are 10-15% lower depending on location). Salary ranges take into account many factors for making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, education, internal equity, and organizational needs. We generally do not offer starting salaries at or near the top of the range.

  • Matching contributions to retirement plan (immediate vesting) (403B)

  • Medical Insurance: health, vision, dental with employer and employee contributions

  • 12 paid holidays

  • Vacation days starting at 3 weeks

  • Hybrid workplace

About Clean Water

SFEI’s Clean Water Program is one of the nation’s premier water quality science programs. It anticipates and meets the water quality data needs of policy-makers, resource managers, and the public. It helps the public, regulators, and those who discharge into our waters create more effective policies to ensure the health of our waters. The Clean Water Program consists of several programs and initiatives including the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy. SFEI is the scientific lead for this program, which seeks to address the most complex and costly issue confronting the wastewater treatment community since the Clean Water Act mandated secondary treatment 40 years ago.

About SFEI

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has a more than 30-year track record of providing robust and innovative science to decision-makers, policy-makers, practitioners, and community members to measurably improve the health and resiliency of Bay-Delta ecosystems. As a boundary organization, SFEI operates at the interface between science and policy, recognized nationally for our ability to build consensus to support effective environmental decision-making and policy. Our mission is to deliver visionary science that empowers people to revitalize nature in our communities.

SFEI employs an interdisciplinary staff of more than 90. Our operations and IT staff are the backbone of our organization and keep everything running smoothly. SFEI has three major programs: Clean Water, Environmental Informatics, and Resilient Landscapes. Our program staff represent numerous scientific and technological fields, including chemistry, modeling, ecology, wildlife biology, landscape planning, historical ecology, geomorphology, geospatial analysis, and web development.

For more information on our mission, values, programs, and staff, visit the San Francisco Estuary Institute website.

Employment Considerations

San Francisco Estuary Institute is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, family or parental status, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Accommodations Statement

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website or application portal as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact us at 510-746-7355 or admin@sfei.org.

Please note that SFEI cannot sponsor an employment visa (e.g., H-1B) to fill this position.

Other Key Information

In the spirit of a fair hiring process, no phone calls or emails please.

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