Entry Level Data Science Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA

Location(s): California (Sacramento, Auburn, Oakland, Santa Cruz, Fresno, La Quinta, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Mission Viejo, Encinitas or San Diego)Practice/Department: BiologicalWork Environment: HybridCompensation: $29.00-33.00/hourly*

 Dudek's journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California's water and wastewater agencies. 

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we've been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.  

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. 

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. 

Who You Are 

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.  

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation. 

How You'll Make an Impact

Dudek is currently seeking a full-time entry-level Biologist to join our team. The successful candidate will help grow our practice to implement a wide variety of projects involving sensitive aquatic resources with a focus on aquatic toxicology and water quality testing, data analysis, monitoring task and schedule management, invasive species control, and compiling materials to support permitting, as needed.   The successful candidate will work collaboratively with other Dudek staff throughout our California offices. This position will entail a mix of field data collection, evaluation and analysis, technical writing and task management.Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads field efforts, and ensures data is collected per appropriate methods and procedures.
• Supports task tracking for multiple ongoing projects.
• Organize field information into client-work products with direction from experienced staff.
• Supports training efforts for data collection and analysis.
• Evaluates and analyzes data.
• Assists with the collection of water quality, environmental toxicology, biology, soil, and air quality data.
• Safely and correctly operates and maintains field data collection equipment.
• Successfully works with outside vendors, such as testing laboratories, to ensure defensible data collection and analysis.
• Communicates results of investigations in written, oral, and graphical formats.
• Provides quality assurance and quality control of field work, data, and technical reports.

• Independently writes technical reports, scientific results reports, and experimental protocols under the direction of senior staff. Works across disciplines, with other Dudek experts, including hydrologists, hydrogeologists, biologists, botanists, environmental planners, engineers, and compliance specialists.
• Understands and commits to following all health and safety practices.
• Assists with client interface and may support proposal efforts, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, hydrology, geology, biology, ecology, botany, chemistry or related natural resources field.
• 1+ years of experience in environmental science, water quality or hydrology consulting with increasing levels of field team execution, oversight and responsibility.
• Knowledge and understanding of field and data analysis techniques related to aquatic environments.
• Strong data collection skills related to best practices, standard safety operating procedures, regulatory guidance.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to travel for work, including overnight stays in hotels.
• Ability to safely drive/operate a vehicle to/from and around field work sites during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental science, hydrology, biology, ecology, botany, chemistry or related natural resources field.
• Knowledge of California aquatic resource types and systems.
• Experience with aquatic invertebrates and microscopy.
• Understanding of California regulatory environment.
• Strong customer service emphasis and solution-oriented project delivery approach.
• Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Exercises good judgment and sound decision-making skills.

Compensation: $29.00-33.00/hourly* 

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual's related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. 

Working Conditions 

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. 
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following: 

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. 

• Employees must be capable of bending, squatting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 35 lbs. unassisted; 50lbs in a team lift (two or more employees). 

• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others. Speaking, hearing and listening are required. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 
• Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time. 

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Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.  

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek's operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek's commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.