Applied Limnologist / Aquatic Scientist

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. (GZA) is seeking an Applied Limnologist / Aquatic Scientist to join our growing ecological and water resources practice in our Manchester, CT office. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on projects involving lakes, drinking-water supply reservoirs, and other freshwater systems while helping clients understand and manage complex water-quality and ecological challenges. The successful candidate will have a strong background in limnology, freshwater ecology, aquatic science, oceanography, or a related environmental discipline, with an interest in combining field investigation, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving to develop practical solutions for our clients.

What You Will Be Doing

• 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 other 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 in a clear and practical manner.
• Work collaboratively 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.

Qualifications

• 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 as well as collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, presentations to professional associations and publications.
• Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork and travel to project sites as needed.

Preferred Experience

• Drinking-water reservoir and source-water management
• Harmful algal blooms and cyanobacteria
• Phytoplankton, zooplankton, or aquatic vegetation
• Lake and reservoir restoration
• Nutrient cycling, eutrophication, or biogeochemistry
• Continuous or high-frequency water-quality monitoring and assessment
• Remote environmental instrumentation
• Statistical analysis and data visualization
• Watershed and lake management planning
• Client consulting and project management
• Certified Lake Manager (CLM) certification or interest in obtaining professional certification

Join GZA and build your future in an environment where your contributions matter — to your team, your clients, and the communities we work in.

GZA is an employee-owned multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm with a history of more than 60 years of providing innovative engineering solutions to improve the natural and built environment.  We are an ENR Top 500 Design firm focused on geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction management services. With a staff of interrelated professionals dedicated to providing high-level expertise on complex projects above, below and at ground-level, GZA’s experts provide seamless integration across practice areas, client type, and location.

GZA values diversity and is committed to providing an accepting and inclusive work environment for all employees.  We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.  GZA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, marital or veteran status, age or other protected status. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor

Note to Recruitment Agencies: GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, recruiting firms, or other third parties. All unsolicited resumes will be considered a gift, and GZA will not be obligated to pay a referral fee. GZA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. This policy is in place to ensure we respect the relationships with our preferred vendors and avoid any potential misunderstandings.