Multiple Positions- Salmon ESA, EFH, and NEPA Professionals

NOTE: If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking scientific professionals with experience in Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation, and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) actions to support the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) West Coast Region (WCR). We are seeking applicants for multiple positions prospectively, which will be dependent upon contract award. 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.

The Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO) and the Interior Columbia Basin Office (ICBO) of the NMFS WCR provides interagency consultation to other Federal agencies pursuant to the authorities of the ESA and the MSA. Federal agencies submit 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, WCR works closely with tribes, local, state, and Federal agencies, and their 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 and ICBO have a significant ESA section 7 and MSA interagency consultation workload. The offices also implement ESA recovery plans, perform NEPA actions, provide technical support for species status reviews, and evaluate proposals for various grant programs to promote conservation of NMFS trust resources and habitats. Contract support is needed to develop ESA section 7 and MSA EFH consultations, implement NEPA, and compose regulatory documents according to National and Regional procedures, prepare consultation documentation adhering to Regional standards and quality control guidelines, and provide technical expertise related to evaluation of environmental impacts from various types of construction and maintenance activities.

The objective of these positions 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), MSA section 104-297, and NEPA implementation including document preparation activities in the Washington (North Puget Sound, Central Puget Sound, and Washington Coast/Lower Columbia Branches); some work could also occur for western Oregon for OWCO and in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and Idaho for ICBO.

Task 1. For OWCO

Key tasks include the following:

• Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information for the purpose of determining environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats; evaluate the proposed project effects of human activities, including land, water, and fishery management activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.
• Write combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses, including programmatic biological opinions and 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, including programmatic letters and 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.
• Prepare environmental documentation pursuant to NEPA.
• 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 these positions might require opportunities to conduct field site visits and participate in interagency meetings in western Washington or western Oregon, this position mainly consists of office duties.

Task 2. For ICBO

Key tasks include the following:

• Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information for the purpose of determining environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats; evaluate the proposed project effects of human activities, including land, water, and fishery management activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.
• Write combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses, including programmatic biological opinions and responses, to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction.
• Write combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses, including programmatic letters and 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.
• Prepare environmental documentation pursuant to NEPA.
• Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers for reviews of proposed designs.
• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region and ICBO 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 these positions might require opportunities to conduct field site visits and participate in interagency meetings in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and Idaho this contractor position mainly consists of office duties.

Deliverables:

• Written biological opinions, letters of concurrence, MSA responses, and NEPA documentation that follow WCR and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, technical sufficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Documentation for biological opinions, letters of concurrence, MSA responses, NEPA, and adherence to WCR 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 WCR and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Professional communications with NMFS fish passage engineers.
• Attendance at and professional contributions to meeting agendas with action agencies, applicants, or their representatives and active participation and communication.
• Attendance at and professional contributions to regional ESA, MSA, and NEPA trainings and all Division and Branch meetings and workshops.
• 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

Requirements:

The proposed candidate(s) must have the following minimum qualifications:

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 task order.

The proposed candidate must possess and maintain the following knowledge, skills and abilities during the period of performance:

• 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

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Expert knowledge of Pacific Northwest salmonid specific life histories and geographic distributions
• Experience in aquatic habitat conservation
• 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 including NEPA and MSA
• Experience working with tribal governments
  

Start Date: Target of 7/2/2024, but will be determined upon award of contract.

Location: Remote

Salary and Benefits: These will be full time positions with benefits. Salary range $23 to $48 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.

Travel: Overnight travel may be needed to coordination meetings for project proposals or Division meetings, not to exceed on average two per quarter usually within western Washington or western Oregon (for OWCO Task 1) or eastern Washington, eastern Oregon or Idaho (for ICBO Task 2) but occasionally elsewhere in the WCR (ID, WA, OR, CA) for remote meetings or training. Division meetings provide consistency in work products and implementation of regulatory programs for which the contractor will be providing services.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

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.

To be considered applicants must submit s 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).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify.

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.