Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan support to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast Region (WCR). 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 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. 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. The employee will 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 affecting listed fish. The employee will assist making 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. The employee will work with NMFS staff in Lacey, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.

Tasks:

Key tasks include the following:

• Draft sections of 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 sections of NEPA documents for both Puget Sound and Columbia River HGMPs and associated fisheries.
• Respond to comments on the NEPA documents provided during public comment periods.
• 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 Snake River/Columbia River 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 WCR, the hatchery co-managers, and the general public.

Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2024.

Location: NOAA offices in either Lacey, WA or Portland, OR

Travel: Travel is anticipated for meetings, workshops, and hatchery tours.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, $36 – $43 per hour.

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.

Additional requirements are:

• Experience drafting Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements consistent with NEPA or drafting Biological Opinions consistent with the ESA
• Three (3) years of work experience with salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and assessing their effects on natural-origin fish populations
• Experience collaborating with federal tribal partners and state agencies.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.