Emergency Response and Marine Incident Specialist

Continental Shelf Associates Inc•Stuart, FL

About The Position

CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. serves the environmental planning, emergency response, and surveying needs of the offshore energy industry, including oil, gas, and offshore wind projects in the U.S. and internationally. CSA is seeking an experienced scientist or marine operations specialist to support and lead oil spill and environmental emergency response activities in offshore and coastal environments. This role is well-suited for a professional with hands-on experience in spill response preparedness, field operations, and applied environmental science who is ready to operate in a fast-paced, operational leadership role within the private sector. The Emergency Response Specialist will work primarily within CSA’s Offshore Energy and Emergency Response programs, supporting preparedness, planning, and response activities for oil spills, tropical storms, hurricanes, vessel groundings, hazardous material releases, and other marine and coastal environmental incidents while maintaining the scientific rigor and quality standards of a science-oriented organization. The specialist will contribute to CSA’s emergency response service offerings, support Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and provide technical expertise to government, industry, and non-government clients throughout all phases of preparedness and response. The ideal candidate has proven experience in marine emergency response, strong familiarity with U.S. and international spill response frameworks, and the ability to work in fast-paced field and exercise environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marine Science, Environmental Science, Emergency Management, Oceanography, or related field;
Demonstrated experience in oil spill response, environmental emergency response, or closely related offshore operational fields;
Experience participating in or leading oil spill drills, exercises, or real-world response events;
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting;
Demonstrated leadership experience in offshore, vessel-based, or emergency field operations;
Oceanographic and/or environmental sampling experience;
Ability and willingness to travel and work offshore, nearshore, or in remote field conditions on short notice;
Demonstrated ability to work independently under pressure and as part of a coordinated response team;
Strong working knowledge of computers and standard Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with oil spill response planning frameworks (e.g., OSRPs, NRDA, ICS);
Experience with containerized laboratory systems and field laboratory operations;
Safety, HAZWOPER, and environmental hazard training;
Understanding of GIS and spatial data integration for response and environmental impact assessment;
Foreign language skills.

Responsibilities

Participate in Incident Command System (ICS) operations in planning, operations, environmental, and scientific support roles in coordination with clients, response organizations, and regulatory agencies
Develop plans aligned with ICS and international best practices (e.g., IPIECA, IMO, RRT, and API);
Support and lead oil spill and environmental emergency response projects, including acting as Chief Scientist and/or Project Manager during incident response
Serve as a technical specialist during emergency activations, including oil spills, marine hazardous substance releases, or major storm-related environmental incidents.
Oversee field deployment of equipment and personnel during oil spills and other environmental emergencies, including in sensitive habitats (e.g., coral reefs, wetlands, seagrasses, shorelines)
Provide on-site and on-vessel leadership for environmental sampling, monitoring, and data collection during response operations
Coordinate environmental sampling strategies, chain of custody, and data quality during emergency response operations
Prepare high-quality technical plans, response documentation, after-action reviews, presentations, and regulatory submissions.
Develop communication materials, briefings, and stakeholder engagement deliverables.
Develop technical reports, after-action reports, and client deliverables following drills and response events;
Perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for emergency response data and deliverables;
Support and lead proposal development related to oil spill response, emergency preparedness, and environmental monitoring services
Foster effective internal team coordination and strong client relationships during both preparedness and emergency operations
Maintain accountability for personal safety and the safety of others during field and response activities;
Adhere to CSA’s quality management systems, safety protocols, and emergency response standards;
Support other CSA market sectors as needed, particularly where emergency response intersects with offshore energy and environmental monitoring.