Applied Limnologist / Aquatic Scientist
About The Position
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. is hiring an Applied Limnologist / Aquatic Scientist for its ecological and water resources practice in Manchester, Connecticut. The position focuses on projects involving lakes, drinking-water supply reservoirs, and other freshwater systems. The successful candidate will apply expertise in limnology, freshwater ecology, aquatic science, oceanography, or a related environmental discipline to field investigations, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving that supports practical client solutions. The role includes assessing water quality and ecological conditions; designing and conducting monitoring and diagnostic studies; managing and interpreting data; and contributing to science-based management and restoration strategies. The candidate will prepare technical and client-facing deliverables, communicate findings to varied audiences, work with multidisciplinary teams, and participate in field activities across the Northeast and potentially other regions. The position may also support project management and client relationships as experience develops. GZA is an employee-owned multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm with more than 60 years of experience. It provides services in geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction management disciplines. GZA states that it values diversity and is committed to an accepting and inclusive work environment and equal opportunity employment.
Requirements
- M.S. or PhD in Limnology, Freshwater Ecology, Aquatic Ecology, or a related discipline.
- Experience with lake, reservoir, pond, or surface-water monitoring and assessment.
- Knowledge of freshwater ecology and water-quality processes.
- Experience collecting and interpreting physical, chemical, and/or biological water-quality data.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with statistical analysis and data visualization.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams.
- Strong technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to technical and non-technical audiences; presentations to professional associations and publications are also mentioned.
- Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork and travel to project sites as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with drinking-water reservoir and source-water management.
- Experience with harmful algal blooms and cyanobacteria.
- Experience with phytoplankton, zooplankton, or aquatic vegetation.
- Experience with lake and reservoir restoration.
- Knowledge of nutrient cycling, eutrophication, or biogeochemistry.
- Experience with continuous or high-frequency water-quality monitoring and assessment.
- Experience with remote environmental instrumentation.
- Experience with statistical analysis and data visualization.
- Experience with watershed and lake management planning.
- Experience with client consulting and project management.
- Certified Lake Manager (CLM) certification or interest in obtaining professional certification.
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct diagnostic studies of lakes, ponds, and drinking-water source reservoirs.
- Design and implement water-quality monitoring programs.
- Collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and visualize monitoring data.
- Evaluate water-quality conditions and ecological issues, including nutrient enrichment, harmful algal and cyanobacterial blooms, aquatic vegetation, dissolved oxygen depletion, and recreational and source-water concerns.
- Design field sampling for physical, chemical, and biological water-quality parameters.
- Deploy and manage continuous or high-frequency water-quality monitoring equipment and data loggers.
- Assess lake and reservoir conditions and help develop science-based management and restoration strategies.
- Prepare technical reports, monitoring plans, proposals, presentations, and other client deliverables.
- Present technical findings to clients and communicate scientific information clearly and practically.
- Collaborate with GZA scientists, engineers, ecologists, and other technical specialists on multidisciplinary projects.
- Support project management and client relationships as experience develops.
- Participate in field activities throughout the Northeast and potentially other regions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
