Job Description

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a full-time employee to provide Protected Resources Regulatory and Conservation support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Protected Resources Division (PRD), West Coast Region. 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 PRD works to conserve and restore marine resources on the West Coast. Guided by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) the government requires support to fulfill duties including actions under these laws such as: conducting section 7 consultations; reviewing species’ status to determine if listing is warranted; developing protective regulations to conserve protected species; designating critical habitat; reviewing and drafting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents; and issuing permits. The Long Beach Branch of PRD leads regulatory and conservation activities for numerous species of marine mammals, sea turtles, and marine fish, and their associated habitats, that are protected under the ESA and/or MMPA. The area of this responsibility spans the entire U.S. West Coast, working in coordination with national, regional, and local authorities and interests. In addition, the Long Beach Branch implements EFH provisions of the MSA throughout Southern California.

Tasks

Provide the following regulatory and conservation support services and complete the following projects and deliver them to the NMFS Project. Key tasks include the following:

• Facilitate and/or complete formal and informal consultations under section 7 of the ESA according to West Coast region policies and practices. Review NEPA documents and provide comments on protected resources and listed species sections.
• Coordinate with other internal and external agency staff to provide background information, effects analysis, and conclusions for protected species. Review drafted formal and informal consultation sections for protected species and coordinate on MMPA incidental harassment authorizations, as needed.
• Participate in coordination meetings and site visits with action agencies, applicants or permittees, special interest groups, state officials, and tribal representatives, as necessary. Coordinate with the science center and other researchers in evaluating the status of species and the impacts of actions.
• Respond to inquiries from action agencies, applicants, and their representatives and staff from WCR Area Offices, and provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives during regular business hours.
• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation, listing, status review, or permit, including assembling and managing administrative records as necessary to provide adequate and proper evidence of agency business, timely response to requests for information, and compliance with NMFS internal directives, including memos to the file that show compliance with West Coast Region quality assurance process.
• Provide timely responses to data requests and assignments with appropriate attention to detail.
• Assist with other conservation matters related to MMPA species, ESA-listed species, critical habitat, and EFH.
• Attend and/or present protected species information at local and regional coordination meetings and participate in a Protected Resources Division workshop.

Start Date: Based on award of contract.

Salary: This is a full-time position. Wage range is $28.00 to $38.41 per hour. Comprehensive benefits package.

Location: Work will be conducted primarily off-site (telecommute), although limited onsite work may occur atWest Coast Regional Office at 501 West Ocean Blvd Suite 4200, Long Beach, California, or at 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, Washington.

Travel: Travel is anticipated for this order. The employee will need to travel to multiple local meetings and site visits; up to three (3) coordination meetings within the region; and one Protected Resources Division workshop.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis on biological science, conservation biology, wildlife or natural resource management, or related fields of science or policy.
• Knowledge of the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson Stevens Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
• Proficiency with regulatory and conservation actions for species and habitats protected under sections 4, 7, and 10 of the ESA.
• Knowledge of biology, natural resource management, and West Coast marine species ecology.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office, etc.) including basic word processing, spreadsheet creation.
• Valid driver’s license.
• 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.

Additional preferred qualifications:

• Previous database experience for scientific applications.

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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