Regulatory and Harvest Management Support Scientist (Remote)

Job Description

Job Description

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Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Regulatory and Harvest Management Support Scientist to provide support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast Regional Office. 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. We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract.

Description

Scientific Analyses of Harvest Management: Over the next several years, state, tribal and federal managers will negotiate new harvest and hatchery plans for Puget Sound Chinook, steelhead, and summer chum, modifications to harvest management frameworks for California Chinook salmon stocks, and renegotiate harvest management plans for U.S. v Oregon and the Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement. These agreements are expected to span three to ten years and include fisheries along the full migration corridor for salmon stocks returning to Puget Sound, the Columbia River and north/central California. The state, tribal, and federal managers will submit plans for assessment of the adequacy of the agreements under section 10, section 7(a)(2), or Limits 4, 5 or 6 of the salmon and steelhead rules under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They will also require assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The work may require assembling information on species status and life history specific to the stocks at issue using the Viable Salmonid Population framework and technical analysis including trend analysis and risk assessment.

Tasks 

Tasks entail providing technical analysis and scientific writing services as directed by NMFS’s Sustainable Fisheries Division (SFD) associated with: 

Evaluation and assessment of fishery and hatchery management frameworks under ESA sections 7(a)(2), 10(a)(1), Limits 4,5, 6 of the ESA 4(d) Rule, or the ESA Tribal 4(d) Rule. The evaluations will describe and assess harvest and hatchery related impacts to ESA-listed Puget Sound, Columbia River and California salmon stocks depending on the plan under evaluation. 

Completion of NEPA documents associated with these projects or in close coordination with other contractors. 

Assisting NMFS staff as requested on work related to implementation of provisions of the 2018-2027 US v Oregon Agreement and the 2019-2028 Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement and successor agreements. 

These tasks may involve some statistical analysis (e.g., trend analysis and risk assessment). Actions under evaluation shall include management strategies proposed by state and tribal managers and alternatives strategy developed as part of associated NEPA evaluation as required (e.g., comparison of exploitation rate, escapement goal based and hybrid fishery management strategies). Progress on Tasks and Deliverables will depend on receipt of management plans from the state, federal and/or tribal managers that are sufficient to meet ESA requirements. 

These tasks will require close coordination with SFD staff, general counsel, and NEPA staff in the NMFS WCR regional offices in Seattle and Lacey, Washington and Portland, Oregon who are familiar with the scope and content of the proposed hatchery and harvest strategies and management plans. This coordination will necessitate frequent contact with the project specific NMFS Project Leaders via email and by phone.

Key tasks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: 

• Development of project workplan and schedule for each project. Weekly check-ins with the designated NMFS Team Lead(s). Coordination calls and meetings as necessary with Project Team members or as directed by the NMFS SFD Team Lead(s). 
• Following guidance from the designated NMFS SFD Team Lead and working with the Project Team, completion of draft and final versions of ESA effects evaluation and determination documents for fishery management plans and/or hatchery management plans for ESA-listed Puget Sound, Columbia River and California salmon and steelhead species that meet the requirements of the sections 7(a)(2), 10(a)(1) or limits 4,5 or 6 of the salmon and steelhead 4(d) Rule of the ESA. This task includes following NMFS’ internal review and QA/QC protocols. The NMFS SFD Team Lead and WCR leadership are responsible for approval of the final documents and decisions, including signature. 
• Following guidance from the designated NMFS SFD Team Lead and coordination with Regional NEPA staff, complete draft and final versions of NEPA documents for fishery management plans and/or hatchery management plans for ESA-listed Puget Sound, Columbia River and California salmon and steelhead species, and other related documents as assigned. This task includes following NMFS’ internal review and QA/QC protocols. Following guidance from the designated NMFS SFD Team Lead and NEPA Coordinator, and working with the Project Team, revise the documents described in Tasks 1-3 based on review comments received from WCR NMFS and General Counsel staff, technical comments received from the tribes and states, and based on substantive public review comments to complete final versions of the ESA, NEPA and other associated documents. The NMFS SFD Team Lead and WCR leadership are responsible for approval of the final documents and decisions, including signature.

Start Date:  Contingent upon award of contract.

Location:  Remote / Telework 

Travel: Twelve (12) single day trips, (one day per month) to Seattle or Lacey, WA NMFS office for technical collaboration and check-ins.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $28.00 - $48.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum three (3) years of relevant experience. 
• Knowledge of the various laws pertaining to management of the fishing industry, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act. 
• Knowledge of the Endangered Species Act regarding activities affecting Pacific salmon and steelhead, and their habitat. 
• Knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act and experience in preparing NEPA analytical documents such as Categorical Exclusions (CEs)/Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI’s), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). 
• Experience in preparing hatchery and fishery management analytical documents that articulate policy considerations and alternative approaches to addressing issues, supported by the best available science. 
• Experience conducting technical analyses and assessments for anadromous salmonids, particularly related to assessment of hatchery and harvest management actions on Pacific salmon and steelhead. 
• Technical writing experience completing analyses and concise reports addressing Pacific Northwest anadromous salmon and their habitat. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals. 
• Ability to articulate biological and policy information on technical findings to both technical and nontechnical audiences in both oral and written word formats. 
• Ability to work independently and be solution oriented. 
• Experience performing ESA Section 7,10, or 4(d) consultations. 
• Knowledge of the fisheries management frameworks in the Pacific Northwest Region, preferred.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

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 self-identify their veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check a box in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify. 

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project 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.