Job Description

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a full-time employee to provide Hatchery and Genetics Management Plan support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast Region (WCR). 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 salmon resource co-managers in the Pacific Northwest – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the 25 treaty or federally recognized tribes – operate individual hatchery programs (hereafter, Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans, or “HGMPs”) producing salmon and steelhead. The HGMPs are largely implemented to provide adult fish for harvest in tribal and State fisheries as mitigation for lost natural-origin salmonid production in the region. A substantial number of the HGMPs are also implemented for conservation purposes, to preserve and recover salmon and steelhead populations that are at risk of extirpation. There are fifteen Endangered Species Act (ESA) -listed “endangered” or “threatened” anadromous salmonid populations under NMFS regulatory purview that may be affected by operation of these co-manager hatchery programs. As such, all of the HGMPs require ESA review and approval by NMFS for operation to ensure their effects (“takes”) do not jeopardize listed salmon and steelhead populations in the region. NMFS also reviews harvest resource management plans (RMPs) to ensure that management of fisheries where hatchery fish predominate are consistent with the management objectives for commingled naturally spawned populations. The NMFS review and determination processes require completion of several effects evaluation and determination documents consistent with ESA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. The documents provide comprehensive scientific evaluations of listed fish effects associated with proposed hatchery actions, concluding with findings whether the HGMPs are consistent with ESA protective requirements.

NMFS requires support to help draft sections of ESA and NEPA documents and to review and edit sections produced by others so that the sections meet regulatory requirements.

The employee will work with NMFS staff to perform scientific evaluations and writing to complete draft and final versions of NEPA Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), ESA 4(d) rule limit 6 evaluation and recommended determination (ERD) documents, ESA Section 10 permits, and ESA section 7 Biological Opinions required for Pacific Northwest region Anadromous Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Programs and RMPs (collectively ‘management plans’) on associated fisheries affecting listed fish. The employee will assist making with revisions to draft versions of the documents prior to their finalization based on internal NMFS review, and review by the co-managers and the general public.

Tasks

Key tasks include the following:

• Draft ESA documents that evaluate the effects of HGMPs and associated fisheries on ESA-listed species under NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jurisdictions.
• Draft NEPA documents that evaluate both Puget Sound and Columbia River management plans.
• Respond to comments on the NEPA documents provided during public comment periods and during the internal review process.
• Address comments received during internal review or by the co-managers on both NEPA and ESA documents.
• Work with the NMFS staff to draft and complete NEPA and ESA effects evaluation and determination documents for West Coast Region HGMPs, bundled by watershed or type of hatchery program.
• Edit draft versions of NEPA sections prepared by others to prepare them for review within the West Coast Region, the hatchery co-managers, and the general public.
• Use EndNote software to document citations in ESA and NEPA documents.
• Assisting NMFS staff on work related to implementation of provisions of the 2018-2027 U.S. v Oregon Agreement and the 2019-2028 Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement.

Deliverables

• Analyze biological effects of hatchery and fishery actions.
• Write ESA and NEPA documents that are organized logically, flow smoothly, are free of errors, are concise, support a central point, and are delivered within the required timeframes.
• Revise NEPA and ESA documents to address internal, co-manager, and the general public concern in a timely manner. In addition, a “response to comments” may need to be prepared based on comments received on the draft NEPA document.
• Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations, if applicable.

Start Date: Based on award of contract.

Salary: This is a full-time position. Wage range is $30.00 to $40.00 per hour. Comprehensive benefits package.

Location: Work may be conducted on-site at the NOAA Offices in Lacey, Washington or Portland, Oregon. Work may be performed at locations other than the government facility in coordination with and prior authorization from the Project Officer and COR.

Travel: Travel is anticipated for this order. The employee will need to travel periodically for meetings (locations to be determined and depending on project) and to tour hatchery facilities. The employee will also need to travel for the SFD All-Hands workshop, location and date to be determined.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience and a minimum of a MA or MS in the biological sciences, or a minimum ten (10) years of relevant work experience and a minimum of a BA or BS in the biological sciences are required.
• Experience drafting Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements consistent with NEPA or drafting Biological Opinions consistent with the ESA.
• Five (5) years of work experience with salmon and steelhead hatchery programs or fisheries and assessing their effects on natural-origin fish populations including technical analysis and assessment.
• Experience collaborating effectively with federal, tribal, and state partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

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: 60,000 - 80,000.

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