Scientific and Technical Support

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Washington.

📋 Description

• Review, collect, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information to assess environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats; evaluate the potential project effects of human activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitats.

• Draft combined ESA Biological Opinions, ESA Letters of Concurrence, and MSA responses to action agencies concerning their Biological Assessments for listed salmon and steelhead, designated critical habitats, and essential fish habitats under NMFS jurisdiction.

• Examine biological assessments, permit applications, and/or consultation initiation packages from action agencies regarding listed salmon and steelhead, designated critical habitats, and essential fish habitats under NMFS jurisdiction, providing feedback and technical support to action agencies.

• Offer pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in response to inquiries. Feedback may include evaluations of sufficiency, accuracy, or completeness; requests for additional information for consultation purposes; and recommendations for conservation measures and compliance with technical design standards. Communication may occur through written or oral means and in group meetings.

• Assess applications from action agencies to enroll in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails to facilitate enrollment. Prepare environmental documentation in accordance with NEPA.

• Create draft incidental take permits and other required documentation for ESA section 10 activities.

• Modify documents based on review comments from WCR NMFS and General Counsel staff, technical feedback from tribes and states, and substantive public review comments to produce final versions of ESA, NEPA, and other associated documents.

• Collaborate with NMFS fish passage engineers for reviews of proposed designs.

• Coordinate with NMFS’ Science Center and other federal, state, or academic researchers to assess the status of species and the impacts of actions.

• Prepare suitable documentation for each consultation and adhere to WCR protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.

• Work in conjunction with the Project Officer or Geographic Branch Manager on assignments, deliverables, and project timelines, holding coordination calls and meetings as needed with WCR Team Lead(s).

• Participate in WCR teams as necessary to fulfill the tasks outlined in this contract.

• Adhere to recommendations from agency staff regarding legal, regulatory, or technical sufficiency and compliance.

• Assist in the creation and execution of mitigation banks.

• Compile appropriate documentation for each consultation, status review, or permit, including the assembly and management of administrative records as needed to ensure adequate and proper evidence of agency business, prompt responses to information requests, and compliance with NMFS internal directives. Help compile responses to Freedom of Information Act requests.

• Engage in meetings with action agencies, applicants or permittees, special interest groups, state officials, and tribal representatives, as necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience, or a Master’s degree, from an accredited college or university in aquatic biology, conservation biology, fisheries management, wildlife management, or a related field of study.

• Familiarity with salmonid general life cycles and habitat requirements.

• Exceptional English language composition and editing abilities.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience collaborating with diverse interagency teams.

• Skills in program planning and management within a team environment.

• Proficiency in developing performance metrics and milestones.

• Competency in commonly used software applications, including MS Office and Google Workplace.

• Knowledge of the implementation of ESA and MSA regulations, including document preparation or experience in writing Federal regulatory documents that comply with agency guidance.

• Experience evaluating the impacts of human activities on marine, estuarine, or anadromous species and their habitats as part of a regulatory program.

• Background in working with tribal governments.

🏝️ Benefits

• These positions are full-time and come with a range of benefits.