Ocean Career: VIMS Research Specialist

Research Specialist II

The mission of Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA or Reserve) is to exhibit leadership in coastal zone management through innovative estuarine and coastal watershed science and education programs that promote natural-resource stewardship and science-based solutions to complex socioecological challenges.

Field & Lab Support for CBNERR-VA Water Program (45%)

• Day-to-day operations associated with the Reserve's shallow water quality monitoring program include routine maintenance and deployment/retrieval of continuous monitoring instruments.
• Various responsibilities for elements of discrete water sample collection and analysis (e.g., bottle cleaning/labeling, collection, processing such as filtration/weighing/drying, cleaning, note taking/chain of custody, and selected analysis).
• Miscellaneous field & lab responsibilities related to ongoing (e.g., buoy, Data Flow) and new water quality program efforts.

Field & Lab Support for CBNERR-VA Stewardship Program (45%)

• Support field and laboratory efforts related to long-term monitoring of critical Reserve nearshore habitats including seagrass beds, emergent wetlands, and living shoreline projects.
• Support field and citizen science activities related to species of concern management strategies, such as nest protection, debris removal, and restoration plantings.
• Assist in geospatial surveys using standard survey and GPS-based technologies to be used in the development of natural resource related GIS-based data files and habitat maps.
• Collect and process multi-media (water, soil, biological) samples.
• Complete field and lab associated instrument/sample data sheets and assist in computer-based data entry.

Assist in Other Reserve Programs. (10%)

• Participate and provide assistance to Reserve's core programmatic areas (administrative, research, education, training and stewardship) as needed.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental, marine, biological, physical science or related field.

Competencies:

• Familiarity and interest in coastal habitats and resource management.
• Ability to support field and laboratory functions of water quality and ecosystems studies.
• Interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Ability to drive to field sites with a state/VIMS vehicle (valid driver's license required) and serve as support crew on research vessels.

Experience:

• Previous field experience working in a variety of coastal habitats (e.g., tidal marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, oyster reefs and natural shorelines).

Competencies:

• Working knowledge of YSI datasonde or other similar equipment used for water quality monitoring.
• Working knowledge of multi-media (e.g., water, soil, flora/fauna) sample collection and processing.

Experience:

• 1-2 years previous field/lab experience.

Salary: up to $50,000, commensurate with experience

Final date to receive applications:
June 29, 2026