Endangered Species Act Support

~ Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI), provides professional consulting services to government organizations, UN agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. OAI experts have carried out ocean and fisheries projects throughout the world. ~

Our experts couple diverse work experiences as scientists and senior managers with exceptional educational backgrounds and contacts throughout the United States and the globe. Many of these contacts are highly skilled scientists and administrators that can be brought into an assignment, as necessary, to augment OAI expertise.

Position Overview

Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking an individual to support National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) California Coastal Office, part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). OAI supplies personnel support on contract to government and industry clients for administrative, managerial, and organizational services.

• Travel is anticipated
• Expected Start Date: April 30, 2019
• Location: Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Background:

NMFS’ California Coastal Office (CCO) is part of the NMFS West Coast Region. The CCO is the lead for the recovery and protection of threatened and endangered anadromous fish species. The CCO works with environmental, agricultural, and fisheries stakeholders and local, state, and Federal agencies in California generally from the Oregon Border to the Mexico Border. The CCO seeks a person to provide support services to implement the statutes and mandates of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with particular emphasis on conducting ESA section 7 and 10 consultations, focusing on the geographic areas of the Central Coast Branch, which includes coastal areas of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey County, inclusive of inland waterways draining into Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Responsibilities

• Independently review and evaluate various infrastructure and restoration projects submitted to NMFS by Federal and state agencies (i.e. action agencies) for their impacts to South-Central California Coast (SCCC) steelhead, Central California Coast (CCC) coho, CCC steelhead, green sturgeon, and essential fish habitat (EFH). This includes reviewing biological assessments, design plans, biological survey data, and other project documents to determine the severity and duration of chemical, physical, and biological effects anticipated to occur as a result of the project.
• Lead, organize, and participate in meetings, site visits, and teams related to consultations. Deal fairly and effectively with groups with diverse and differing objectives.
• Independently conduct a thorough analysis of the species and habitat responses to these effects using the best available science. Independently determine the best available science through comprehensive researching of published scientific studies, precedential court cases, and white/grey literature.
• Coordinate with action agencies and internal and external experts to develop strategies to effectively minimize impacts and resolve regulatory issues with action agencies.
• Independently author biological opinions, comment letters, and letters of concurrence that meet the standards of scientific journals, the section 7 consultation handbook, NMFS and DOC policies, and government plain language requirements.
• During consultations, maintain clear and organized notes and manage emails and other correspondences to ensure efficient recall and documentation of important project records.
• Plan work to ensure all assigned projects are completed within expected time frames and notify Government manager in advance when deadlines may be missed.

Other Duties Include:

• Written responses to action agencies after a consultation request has been received will be provided to Branch Supervisor no later than 21 days after tasked with evaluating a written request of consultation; revised written responses are due within seven days of receipt of the comments by the Branch Supervisor.
• Final drafts of letters of concurrence will be provided to Branch Supervisor no later than 21 days after NMFS initiated consultation; revised letters are due within seven days of receipt of the comments by the Branch Supervisor.
• Final drafts of biological opinions will be provided to Branch Supervisor no later than 90 days after NMFS initiated consultation; revised biological opinions due within seven days of receipt of the comments by the Branch Supervisor.
• No later than 14 days following completion of a consultation, compile, organize and provide all records that comprise the official record in accordance with the relevant laws and NMFS policies.
• Independently initiate frequent (weekly) and succinct progress updates (in- person) to the Branch Supervisor summarizing the current status of all tasks, hurdles and proposed solutions, and upcoming action steps.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge and Experience:

Selected individual(s) must have the following basic requirements:

• A Masters or Ph.D. degree with a major in biological science that included: (1) At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; AND (2) At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields.
• A graduate level education that must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, examples of qualifying fields include environmental science and policy, limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, marine biology, oceanography, fish culture, fish and wildlife management, marine science, or other fields directly related to fishery biology or environmental science and management.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience, with up to 14 years total relevant experience; one (1) year of specialized experience that demonstrates your experience studying the biology and management of fish species and habitats common to the freshwater and estuarine areas in California, Oregon, or Washington, with specific emphasis on salmonids; conducting standard fisheries assessment methods: including gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing (boat and backpack); working with partners; presenting scientific findings, both through presentation at meetings orally, as well as written reports and manuscripts; and evaluating effects of proposed federal development actions on fishes and their habitat.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Knowledge and experience with Section 7 of the ESA and MSA Essential Habitat regulations.
• Experience working successfully with interdisciplinary teams.

Compensation

This is a full-time position with excellent employee benefits, including medical insurance, holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Salary commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume that includes the following by April 30:

• 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. ~