The Freshwater Science Specialist is a three-year term position (with potential for 1-year extension) that will lead the New Jersey Chapter’s its 10-year Measures and Monitoring program and it’s floodplain reforestation stewardship efforts by working closely with the Freshwater Team and other TNC staff, partners, and funders to assess water quality and project monitoring results. The Freshwater Science Specialist will collect, manage and analyze field data, create relevant reports and communicate findings to a variety of audiences and stakeholder groups.

The Freshwater Science Specialist will help increase the scientific rigor of restoration work and monitoring by providing support with study design. This position will apply in-depth knowledge of river restoration practices (e.g., dam removal) and fish population needs to influence new and existing partnerships and relevant policies or regulations that affect river, aquatic species and fish population health data collection, management, and analysis. They will work to increase public and private support for TNC conservation priorities, communicate with and engage diverse communities in our work and foster cross-state learning and research development opportunities. The opportunity to participate in science-based monitoring efforts as well as hands-on management and restoration activities gives this position an attractive blend of science and leadership responsibilities.  This position will be a mix of field, office and remote work. Office located in Chester, NJ.

The Freshwater Science Specialist will support NJ’s Freshwater Team to gather, analyze and synthesize water quality and project monitoring data and lead the Chapter’s watershed-wide floodplain reforestation stewardship efforts. This position will be responsible for leading the Paulins Kill water quality monitoring program, including scientific data collection, management, analysis, reporting and publications. They will disseminate results, create annual summary reports, and evaluate monitoring plans to document changes in river health and ensure documentation of the long-term benefits of our restoration efforts (reforestation, dam removal, wetland restoration) to water quality and wildlife habitat, and ultimately of project success. The Freshwater Science Specialist will work with the Paulins Kill Watershed Coordinator to develop their water quality monitoring and tree planting stewardship skills.   Additionally, they will expand and accelerate current achievements by overseeing restoration and restoration monitoring efforts in northern NJ, as well as coordinate monitoring projects statewide: setting deadlines and managing partner relationships, facilitating work groups, helping to coordinate community engagement, and communicating results to a variety of audiences.