Ocean Career: San Francisco Estuary Institute Shoreline Scientist

Eco Magazine is seeking a Shoreline Scientist for the San Francisco Estuary Institute to support resilient shoreline planning and implementation. The role involves investigating fluvial and tidal processes, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and synthesizing scientific information for decision-makers. Candidates should have a relevant degree and experience, with strong quantitative and communication skills. While based in the Bay Area, remote work may be considered for suitable candidates.
About the position

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is seeking a Shoreline Scientist to provide scientific support for communities and agencies in planning and implementing resilient, ecologically functional shorelines. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on innovative nature-based projects aimed at improving the resiliency of communities and wildlife in response to land use changes and climate change. The successful candidate will engage in applied science projects focused on shoreline and bayland environments around San Francisco Bay, including tidal ecosystem restoration, integrated planning with wastewater and transportation agencies, shoreline resilience mapping, regional monitoring, and climate-change adaptation planning. The role is critical in synthesizing scientific information to inform decision-makers and stakeholders, contributing to influential regional documents such as the Adaptation Atlas and Sediment for Survival. The Shoreline Scientist will investigate historical, contemporary, and future fluvial and tidal hydraulic and sediment processes, advancing landscape-scale conservation and adaptation planning through a quantitative approach. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including community-based organizations, technical advisors, and agency partners, will be essential. The position is based in the Bay Area, but remote work may be considered for the right candidate. Immediate availability is preferred, and candidates are encouraged to apply even if their experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed.

Responsibilities
• Investigate historical, contemporary, and future fluvial and tidal hydraulic and sediment processes.
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• Advance landscape-scale conservation and adaptation planning using a quantitative approach.
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• Collaborate to synthesize information from interdisciplinary teams, including community-based organizations, technical advisors, and agency partners.

Requirements
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field (e.g., geomorphology, ecology, hydrology, environmental science, environmental planning, landscape architecture, geology, geography, etc.).
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• For candidates with a bachelor's degree, a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience is required.
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• Strong scientific and technical background with quantitative skills.
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• Background in GIS and the ability to synthesize information for diverse audiences.
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• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey findings clearly in writing and presentations.
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• Demonstrated experience in concurrently managing multiple projects and tasks, maintaining organizational efficiency, and balancing priorities and deadlines.

Nice-to-haves
• Knowledge of San Francisco Bay tidal ecosystems or dynamics.
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• Project management experience, including the ability to lead projects and manage budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
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• Experience in community-based planning and facilitating discussions with diverse stakeholder groups.
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• Expertise or experience in sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation.
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• Understanding of geomorphic and hydrologic/hydraulic processes.
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• Knowledge of relationships between hydrogeomorphic and ecological dynamics in riverine and tidal ecosystems.
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• Familiarity with groundwater processes and numerical modeling (e.g., hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality, groundwater flow).
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• Experience with geospatial or geostatistical analyses, wastewater management, and landscape change and historical ecology.
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• Skills in wetland monitoring and assessment, ecosystem services, and landscape-scale conservation and restoration.
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• Graphic design using Adobe tools or similar desktop publishing software, and data visualization using Adobe tools (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), AutoCAD, Rhino, or similar software.

Benefits
• Matching contributions to retirement plan (immediate vesting) (403B)
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• Medical Insurance: health, vision, dental with employer and employee contributions.