Job Description

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a full-time employee to provide Oregon Fisheries Biologist support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast Region (WCR), Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO). We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract. If you are looking to be an instrumental part of a growing, employee and customer-focused company working on exciting issues in environmental science and other marine/coastal resources, we want to hear from you!

Background

The Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO) of the West Coast Region (WCR) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides interagency consultation to other federal agencies pursuant to the authorities of the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and management Act (MSA). Federal agencies bring their project proposals which may affect NMFS trust species and critical habitats to NMFS for scientific, biological, and technical assistance in identifying effects and conservation measures. Through these Federal agencies, West Coast Region works closely with tribes, local, state, and Federal agencies, and our stakeholders and partners (e.g., corporations, farmers and ranchers, homeowners, non-profit organizations, trade groups) to find science- based solutions to complex ecological issues. OWCO has a significant ESA section 7 and MSA interagency consultation workload. The office also implements ESA recovery plans, provides technical support for species status reviews, and evaluates proposals for various grant programs to promote conservation of NMFS trust resources and habitats. Support is needed for ESA section 7 and EFH consultations developed according to Regional procedures, preparation of consultation documentation adhering to Regional standards, and technical expertise related to evaluation of environmental impacts from various types of construction and maintenance activities.

The objective of this position is to provide program and biological support to the above projects and in conducting interagency consultations under ESA section 7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a)(5)(D), and MSA section 104-297, including document preparation activities in the Oregon Branches (primarily the Willamette Branch).

Tasks

Key tasks include the following:

• Write combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, whales, sea stars.
• Write combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, whales, sea stars.
• Review biological assessments and/or consultation initiation packages from action agencies for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction and provide feedback and technical support to action agencies.
• Provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in response to inquiries. Examples of feedback are sufficiency, accuracy, or completeness; requests for further information for consultation purposes; recommendation of conservation measures, compliance with technical design standards. Feedback shall occur through written or oral communications and in group meetings.
• Review applications from action agencies to enroll in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails to enroll applications into existing programmatic consultations.
• Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers for reviews of proposed designs.
• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Review habitat restoration proposals to implement Recovery Plans.
• Coordinate with Project Officer or Geographic Branch Chief on assignments and work products.
• Follow recommendations from agency staff on legal, regulatory, or technical sufficiency and compliance.
• Although this contractor position might involve opportunities to conduct field site visits, this contractor position mainly consists of office duties.

Deliverables

• Written biological opinions, letters of concurrence, and MSA responses to action agencies that follow West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, technical sufficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Documentation for biological opinions, letters of concurrence, and MSA responses and adherence to West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Written and oral comments and pre-consultation technical assistance on biological assessments or inquiries presented to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in coordination with Project Officer or Geographic Branch Chief.
• Written documentation of enrolled applications into existing programmatic consultations following West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Professional communications with NMFS fish passage engineers.
• Professional contributions to meeting agendas with action agencies, applicants, or their representatives and active participation and communication.
• Technical comments on proposed habitat restoration proposals.
• Deliver periodic informational presentations and technical assistance on use of programmatic Biological Opinions with which the employee is involved.
• Occasional site visits to proposed project locations.
• Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), recommendations, if applicable.

Start Date: Based on award of contract.

Salary: This is a full-time position. Wage range is $26.00 to $34.00 per hour. Comprehensive benefits package.

Location: Telecommute/remote

Travel: Travel is anticipated for this order. The employee may need to travel overnight to coordination meetings for project proposals or Division meetings, not to exceed on average two per quarter usually within western Oregon but occasionally elsewhere in the West Coast Region (ID, WA, OR, CA) for remote meetings or trainings.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years’ experience, or Master’s degree, from an accredited college or university in aquatic biology or related field of study with two (2) years of experience relating to the specific tasks.
• Knowledge of salmonid general life cycles and habitat requirements.
• Highly proficient English language composition and editing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Working with diverse interagency teams.
• Skill in most common software applications, to include MS Office and Google Workplace.
• Valid state driver’s license.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Expert knowledge of Pacific Northwest salmonid specific life histories and geographic distributions.
• Experience in aquatic habitat conservation.
• Skill with Low Impact Development stormwater treatment and management methods and up-to- date scientific and best available knowledge of management practices to minimize impacts on salmonids and aquatic habitat.
• Skill in fish habitat restoration methods.
• Implementation of ESA section 7 regulations and document preparation or experience writing Federal regulatory documents adhering to agency guidance.

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).

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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