Fish Biologist

Description: At Saltwater Inc. we believe that high-quality data is vital to the health of our fisheries and oceans: our mission is to provide that data. We are a Women-Owned Small Business and are constantly seeking new team members who share our passion for innovation and environmental wellness.

We are currently recruiting for a Fisheries Biologist. This individual will work with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO), which is responsible for implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act (MSA). Through programs conducted under each of these statutes, NMFS seeks to protect and preserve our nation’s living marine resources through scientific research, fisheries management, enforcement, and habitat conservation. NMFS West Coast Region (WCR) works closely with tribes, local, state, and Federal agencies, and the stakeholders and partners (e.g., corporations, farmers and ranchers, aquaculture operations, homeowners, non-profit organizations, trade groups) to find science-based solutions to complex ecological issues. OWCO has a significant ESA section 7 and MSA interagency consultation workload. Contract support is needed for ESA section 7 and EFH consultation and development of consultation documentation adhering to Regional standards and developed according to Regional procedures. The individual chosen to perform this work will provide program support in conducting interagency consultations under ESA section 7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a) (5)(D), and MSA section 104-297, including document preparation activities in the OWCO.

This work will be conducted remotely, and work can begin as soon as a well-suited candidate is identified. The contract is currently ongoing in its 3rd year, with the potential of an additional two option years to be awarded annually in September. Candidate requirements are listed below.

Responsibilities: Conduct ESA, MMPA, MSA program consultation and document preparation activities for the Oregon / Washington

Respond to inquiries from action agencies, applicants, and their representatives, and provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives during regular business hours. Examples of provided assistance include:

Initial contact with consulting agency, applicant, or non-federal representative

Explanation of consultation process and information requirements, as necessary

Preparation or review of species lists

Recommendation of conservation measures to minimize adverse effects to listed species

Feedback on draft documents submitted by action agencies

Review of designs or coordinate with engineer on review of designs

Site visits to potential project areas

Review consultation initiation packages for accuracy and completeness; develop requests for further information sufficient to to support initiating consultation, as needed

Consult with action agencies and their representatives or applicants to ensure action agency compliance with each statute. Communicate with the Geographic Branch Chief to coordinate NMFS response to each consultation

Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region protocol for quality assurance

Work cooperatively with OWCO branches and Division members to ensure efficient completion of work and consistency across the Division

Completion of technical assistance, documentary review, site visits with and for action agencies (or representatives or applicants) and associated documentation.

Provide feedback in the form of further information requests or confirmation of consultation initiation.

Preparation of appropriate consultation documentation including, but not limited to, ESA letters of concurrence, ESA biological opinions, MSA essential fish habitat consultations, programmatic responses, and MMPA incidental harassment authorization letters.

Preparation of related documentation, including assembling and managing administrative records as necessary to provide adequate and proper evidence of agency business, timely response to requests for information, and NMFS internal process documents as needed to comply with NMFS internal directives, including memos to the file that show compliance with West Coast Region quality assurance process.

The Contractor shall provide monthly progress reports to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), recommendations, if applicable

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in biological sciences, engineering, or natural resource management, and an emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field or combination of such totaling nine (9) years combined education/experience. Master’s Degree in related field plus one (1) year experience or Ph.D. may be substituted for experience.

Experience with or knowledge of the requirements of ESA section 7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a)(5)(D), or MSA section 104-297 and their respective consultation processes

Excellent writing and editing skills in English-language composition

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

High proficiency in in common software applications including MS Office and Google Suite, and email

Experience with, or knowledge of, the requirements of the ESA, MMPA, and/or MSA and the consultation processes described above

Valid driver’s license

Preferred

Experience providing biological, economic, or social analyses to support recommendations for natural resource conservation measures

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

Experience developing policy or procedures for the management and conservation of protected species including marine fish, mammals, or sea turtles

Background in biology, natural resource management, and salmonid and/or marine mammal species

Endangered Species Act Section 7 experience, including programmatic consultations

Experience working with tribal governments

Learn more and apply here.