Environmental Specialist

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Telecommute 4 days ago Requisition ID: 1760 Salary Range: $30.00 To $50.00 Hourly NOTE: We are seeking applicants for these positions prospectively, which are dependent on award of contract. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at View phone number on click.appcast.io to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking applicants to provide Environmental Specialist Support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office for Coastal Management (OCM) in Silver Spring, MD. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts. Background The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office for Coastal Management (OCM) is responsible for ensuring that activities within the U.S. coastal zone and deep-sea environments are managed sustainably and in compliance with federal environmental laws. The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (DSHMRA), 30 U.S.C. §§ 1401 et seq., assigns NOAA the responsibility for regulating deep seabed exploration and commercial recovery activities by U.S. nationals beyond national jurisdiction (i.e., beyond the U.S. continental shelf). DSHMRA charges NOAA with the responsibility for issuing to U.S. companies licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules containing manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper from the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction. On April 24, 2025, the President signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14285, “Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” establishing policies to advance U.S. leadership in seabed mineral exploration and responsible commercial recovery. Under DSHMRA, NOAA must review incoming applications to ensure the applicant has included information that is responsive to the regulatory and statutory requirements and initiate interagency consultation, where appropriate, to evaluate eligibility requirements. Geospatial data and information are critical in making informed decisions in complex coastal environments and communities. As part of the application review process, NOAA must ensure that the proposed exploration area does not create a conflict with international boundaries or with existing license or permit applications from other companies. This regulatory regime ensures protection of threatened and endangered marine mammal species, opportunity for public comment, and other considerations through environmental impact reviews. The issuance of any license or permit requires development of an environmental impact statement to characterize the potential environmental impacts of the proposed activity and potential alternatives. The applicant must furnish information on physical, chemical, biological, and potential use conflict in the exploration area to be incorporated into the preparation of NOAA’s environmental impact statement. As interest in deep-sea mining grows, NOAA must expand its capacity to develop and assess Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and ensure that all mining-related requests meet rigorous regulatory standards. These efforts require deep policy and regulatory analysis across a range of statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Tasks Environmental Document Development and Review Assist in drafting and editing sections of NEPA documents, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and EIS. This includes conducting scientific evaluations of potential effects on marine resources. Apply knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and guidance that affect the NEPA process, including ESA, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), MMPA, National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the CZMA and other Executive Orders, including drafting and supporting the development of consultations for specific sites and programs. Regularly review and become conversant in NOAA environmental compliance policies and procedures. Develop draft and final draft versions of Environmental Assessments and/or Environmental Impact Statements for priority efforts that require such a level of NEPA analysis. Draft environmental compliance documentation (e.g., categorical exclusion memos, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, Findings of No Significant Impact, consultations, etc.) and provide comments or recommended edits to the ECC to advance NOAA approval. Assist in the development of environmental and cultural resource analyses and documentation for the administrative record, as needed. Regulatory Analysis and Compliance Support Review deep-sea mining proposals, baseline environmental data, and commercial applications for alignment with the CZMA, ESA, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, MMPA, DSHMRA and other relevant statutes and consult with lead agencies, as needed, for concurrence. Draft technical research papers, biological evaluations, and risk assessments to support federal staff conducting ESA Section 7 consultations and EFH determinations. Regulatory Review Coordination Assist with the tracking and processing of regulatory clearance packages. Support coordination between NOAA technical experts and NOAA OGC to ensure documents meet legal and documented standards. Maintain a centralized tracking matrix for all active DSHMRA regulatory clearance packages, documenting milestones from initial application through final interagency disposition. Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract. Location: Work may be performed primarily off-site (remote), with occasional requirements for in-person meetings at NOAA facilities at NOAA Silver Spring Metro Center (SSMC) Campus, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Travel: Limited travel is anticipated. Salary and Benefits: These are full-time positions with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $30.00 - $50.00 per hour. Requirements Applicants must have the following minimum requirements: Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution in marine science, oceanography, environmental policy, or a closely related discipline. 3 years of professional experience executing federal environmental compliance actions. Demonstrated proficiency applying federal marine conservation and coastal management statutes, specifically the NEPA, ESA, and the MMPA. Preferred experience analyzing scientific data or regulatory applications related to deep- sea ecosystems or marine mineral resources. Documented experience drafting administrative records, technical sufficiency memos, and complex environmental compliance documentation, including sections of EA or EIS. Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution in marine science, oceanography, environmental policy, or a closely related discipline. 5 years of professional experience executing federal environmental compliance actions. Experience overseeing work of junior staff in these efforts. Work experience typically includes high-visibility projects and capability to perform work independently. Experience coordinating sensitive responses with federal staff. Demonstrated functional expertise applying federal marine conservation and coastal management statutes, specifically the NEPA, ESA, and the MMPA. Preferred experience analyzing scientific data or regulatory applications related to deep- sea ecosystems or marine mineral resources. Documented experience reviewing and editing draft administrative records, technical sufficiency memos, and complex environmental compliance documentation, including sections of EA or EIS. Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following: Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed. Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education. Education. Previous experience or training with similar requirements. Three professional references. Include your name in the document file name. Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA. Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ocean Associates, Inc.