Job Description
This Opportunity
This role supports the delivery of marine biology investigations and environmental studies by applying foundational knowledge of biological, ecological, and oceanographic principles to real-world aquatic environments. It contributes to projects focused on the monitoring, conservation, and restoration of marine species and habitats, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and data quality standards. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and guided fieldwork, this role assists in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting marine biological data, supporting the development of sustainable and scientifically robust solutions for WSP clients. It also plays a role in maintaining accurate records, preparing technical documentation, and developing technical skills necessary for future growth in marine science projects.
Your Impact
Required Qualifications
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $27.31- $37.50
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
This Opportunity
This role supports the delivery of marine biology investigations and environmental studies by applying foundational knowledge of biological, ecological, and oceanographic principles to real-world aquatic environments. It contributes to projects focused on the monitoring, conservation, and restoration of marine species and habitats, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and data quality standards. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and guided fieldwork, this role assists in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting marine biological data, supporting the development of sustainable and scientifically robust solutions for WSP clients. It also plays a role in maintaining accurate records, preparing technical documentation, and developing technical skills necessary for future growth in marine science projects.
Your Impact
- Conduct field surveys in marine and estuarine environments to collect physical, chemical, and biological data on water quality, benthic conditions, and marine life.
- Assist with species identification, specimen collection, and biological sample preservation following established protocols.
- Prepare and calibrate field and laboratory equipment, including water quality meters, plankton nets, sediment samplers, and GPS units.
- Support the execution of habitat assessments for seagrass beds, coral reefs, tidal flats, and coastal wetlands.
- Record detailed field notes and environmental observations in accordance with project documentation standards.
- Enter, organize, and perform basic analysis on environmental data using Excel, Access, and other data management platforms.
- Participate in data quality assurance and quality control processes to ensure accuracy and consistency in collected data.
- Assist in the development of biological and environmental sections of technical reports and permit applications.
- Conduct background research and literature reviews to inform field investigations and support project deliverables.
- Support the preparation of figures, tables, and graphics for client-facing materials using standardized templates.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, ecologists, and engineers to integrate marine data into multi-disciplinary assessments.
- Participate in pre-field briefings, post-field debriefings, and lessons learned exercises to support continuous improvement.
- Assist with site logistics, including organizing sampling gear, coordinating vehicle use, and preparing supplies for extended field deployments.
- Ensure that fieldwork is conducted in accordance with environmental, health, and safety policies and standard operating procedures.
- Help monitor marine life behavior during in-water construction activities to support mitigation compliance (e.g., marine mammal observers).
- Support internal knowledge sharing by summarizing field experiences, unusual findings, or technical challenges for team learning.
- Maintain clear communication with team leads and supervisors on task progress, logistical concerns, and field conditions.
- Demonstrate flexibility to adapt to changes in field schedules, weather conditions, or project scope.
- Promote environmentally responsible and ethical behavior in all project activities.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology, Biology, or a closely related discipline, or demonstrated proven equivalent experience.
- 0 to 1 year of relevant post-education experience in marine biology or related areas.
- Basic understanding of marine ecosystems, coastal habitats, and ecological relationships among marine organisms.
- Knowledge of standard marine field sampling procedures for water, sediment, and biological specimens.
- Familiarity with laboratory techniques for sorting, identifying, and analyzing marine samples.
- Ability to safely participate in fieldwork aboard boats, along shorelines, or in shallow waters under varying environmental conditions.
- Demonstrated experience collecting, recording, and managing scientific data with attention to quality and consistency.
- Ability to follow detailed instructions and standard operating procedures for scientific fieldwork and documentation.
- Knowledge of relevant environmental regulations, such as the Clean Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or Endangered Species Act.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for data handling and Word for report drafting.
- Familiarity with data entry tools, digital field forms, and GPS/GIS technology.
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for conveying technical information to peers and supervisors.
- Organizational skills for managing multiple assignments, samples, or field activities.
- Team-oriented mindset and willingness to take on a variety of tasks in a dynamic project setting.
- Demonstrated commitment to learning, professional growth, and technical development in marine science.
- Ability to travel for fieldwork, often for multiple days at a time, sometimes in remote or challenging conditions.
- Basic understanding of health and safety considerations when conducting fieldwork in marine environments.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively under supervision in field and office settings.
- Familiarity with scientific literature research methods and environmental data sources.
- Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality deliverables.
- Commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and ethical practices in marine research.
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $27.31- $37.50
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.