Environmental Analyst I/II or Associate Environmental Scientist I

San Francisco Estuary Institute

San Francisco Estuary Institute

IT

San Francisco, CA, USA

USD 80,742-93,164 / year

Posted on Jun 4, 2026

Environmental Analyst I/II or Associate Environmental Scientist I

  • Location: Richmond, California

  • Program: Clean Water

  • Type: Full-time

  • Experience Level: Entry Level

  • Position Type: Permanent

  • Salary: $80,742 – $93,164

Position Description

  • Posted: June 3, 2026

  • First review of applications: June 17, 2026

  • Application Close Date: July 5 2026

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is seeking up to two Environmental Analysts or Associate Environmental Scientists to join an interdisciplinary team to support projects investigating the sources, fate, transport, and impacts of contaminants in the San Francisco Bay and its surrounding watersheds. The goal of this work is to support policy development that prevents or minimizes impacts to human and wildlife health, as well as other beneficial uses in the region. This work will be carried out in support of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) and other Clean Water Program efforts to address pivotal pollution issues with regional, state, and national implications.

This is a full-time, Bay Area-based, hybrid office position for a candidate with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a pertinent scientific field and work experience in water quality issues, particularly environmental chemistry.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

  • Environmental monitoring and monitoring coordination (e.g., coordinating with analytical labs, preparing supplies and field kits, preparing sampling and analysis plans, scheduling field days with external sampling partners, field sampling, post sampling processing, shipping samples, following up with labs, coordinating with data services on field data)

  • Program coordination and implementation (e.g., scheduling meetings, producing meeting summaries, developing contracts, coordinating with analytical labs, updating websites, logistics for RMP Annual Meeting)

  • Environmental data analysis, synthesis, and reporting (e.g., data visualization, statistical analysis, report writing, presentations to stakeholders and scientific advisors)

  • Community engagement (public engagement and education, conducting surveys and community science activities, stakeholder and partner coordination, meeting facilitation)

  • Science communication (e.g., updating the RMP website, contributing to quarterly newsletters, supporting presentations, drafting social media)

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

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, oceanography, environmental health, chemistry, biology, or another related scientific field.

  • Familiarity with environmental science and environmental chemistry, particularly field work, data analysis, and writing.

Required Skills

  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at one time and meet deadlines.

  • Ability to work well in teams as well as work independently with general direction from senior scientific staff.

  • Ability to contribute to, or lead, aspects of field work that may periodically involve working unusual hours (e.g., late nights, early mornings, and weekends) and carrying 40 pound field equipment for short durations.

  • Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills and ability to synthesize information.

  • Valid driver’s license as driving to field locations will be required.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience with the collection, processing and analysis of environmental samples (e.g., water, stormwater, sediment, fish and other wildlife tissues) for chemical contaminants.

  • Familiarity with the development and/or implementation of field sampling and laboratory QA/QC procedures.

  • Experience using software programs for environmental data analysis and visualization, such as R, Python, and/or GIS.

  • Familiarity with estuarine and/or coastal landscapes and ecosystems

  • Experience engaging with communities and other partners

Salary & Benefits Highlights:

  • This will be an Environmental Analyst or Associate Environmental Scientist position. The anticipated salary range for full time employment is $80,742 - $93,164 for this position (Please note that this is a Bay Area position. Fully remote work isn’t possible). Salary ranges take into account many factors for making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, education, internal equity, and organizational needs. We expect to offer starting salaries at the low end of the salary range for each job level.

  • 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 accrual/year

  • Hybrid workplace (please note that fully remote work is not possible)

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 policymakers, resource managers, and the public. SFEI and the Clean Water Program were established in 1993 to develop and manage the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP), which was created by the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure water quality management decisions and investments are guided by sound science. The RMP is a unique collaborative of regulators, dischargers, industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, and scientists. SFEI continues to serve as the manager and scientific lead of the RMP, which seeks to identify and conduct the studies needed to help managers and policymakers stay ahead of emerging threats. RMP studies have informed policymaking, chemical bans, cleanup plans, and science and management strategies at the local, state, and federal levels.

About SFEI

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has a more than 30cl-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.

Other Key Information

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

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

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