Ocean Career: Marine Environmental Scientist at Polaris Applied Sciences

Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc. is a small environmental consulting firm based in the Seattle area that specializes in environmental scientific support for oil spill response and coral grounding incidents.

We are involved in projects throughout the world including oil spill responses, coral grounding assessments and restoration, oil spill planning and training, natural resource damage assessments, and oil spill research.

While detailed knowledge of oil spill and vessel grounding assessment and response methods are not required for this position, a strong science background, willingness to learn new information and skills, and the ability to work well with others is critical.

Polaris looking for a hard-working, motivated, and good-natured scientist who is willing to spend time in the field, office and travel. We have a position available immediately and will remain open until filled.

Essential Functions

  • Conduct field habitat assessments, oil spill mapping surveys, water/sediment/tissue sampling, damage assessment and mapping, and various other data collection surveys in field.
  • Analyze survey and sample data: compile survey results; data and statistical analysis of survey results; manipulate and interpret data; assess results and present information to clients, internal personnel, and regulatory agencies.
  • Assist in designing and implementing habitat and species restoration, enhancement, management, and monitoring plans.
  • Prepare survey and monitoring reports and support more complex technical reports.
  • Provide technical support to other team members.
  • Conduct literature reviews.
  • Travel to project sites (often on short notice) throughout the US and world, sometimes requiring overnight stays of up to multiple weeks at a time.
  • Willingness to work a flexible and irregular schedule when on assignment, possibly including early mornings, nights, and weekends.

Required Qualifications

  • Masters Degree or PhD in an environmental science (e.g., geology, biology, ecology, oceanography, forestry, or related environmental field).
  • Field experience and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather and terrain.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Strong oral and written communication.
  • Ability to effectively manage logistics associated with safely and independently working at remote field sites.
  • Ability to be flexible, open minded, and reason logically.
  • Ability to exercise discretion and consistently demonstrate professionalism.
  • Valid driver’s license and passport.
  • Fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19

Preferred Qualifications

  • SCUBA certification and proficiency, and the ability to assess and collect data while SCUBA diving.
  • Knowledge of GIS fundamentals and experience with GIS software (e.g. ArcMap, ArcPro, QGIS).
  • Knowledge of data and statistical analyses and experience using software (e.g., R, Python, Matlab, etc.) to manipulate, analyze, and visualize data from complex datasets and relational databases.
  • Knowledge and experience with one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, etc.) used in the development of web based data entry, mapping, and
  • Conversational fluency (or greater) in Spanish a plus.

Employee Benefits

Polaris provides its full-time employees with competitive salaries, medical and dental insurance coverage, 401(k) contributions and profit sharing, paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, comp time, conference attendance, and professional learning opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should respond by submitting a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references (including email addresses and phone numbers) to: polaris@polarisappliedsciences.com.

latest issue

Sampling and survey techniques, methods, and technologies are far-reaching across the applied marine science space. These days, many instruments and…

Search