ESA Section 7 Consultation Support

Ocean Associates, Inc.; Arlington (VA); Remote; USD 77,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) supports NMFS Office of Protected Resources in preparing ESA Section 7 consultations. The role involves assisting with analyses, writing documents, and gathering best available data for actions and habitats.

Position is remote with potential offsite work; requires a BS degree in a relevant field, strong technical writing, and 3 years of related experience. A cover letter describing qualifications is required with resume submission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field is required.
• 3 years of relevant experience required; additional education can substitute for experience.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist Federal staff with analyses and research to enable ESA Section 7 consultation on Federal actions.
• Assist with writing ESA Section 7 consultation documents, including letters of concurrence and biological opinions.
• Collect data toward the action and action area descriptions, environmental baseline, and effects analyses for ESA Section 7 consultations.
• Review information from Federal agencies and literature to support ESA consultations.
• Coordinate with agencies and applicants to obtain additional information as needed.

Skills

Technical writing

Teamwork

Feedback incorporation

Education

Bachelor of Science in a relevant field

Job description

Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is seeking candidates to support the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources for duties associated with the preparation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations. OAI conducts research, offers policy advice, and provides personnel support services to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species.

NOTE: A cover letter that describes how your skills, experience and education meet the required qualifications of the position must be included with your resume when submitting the application and is mandatory

Duties

• Assist Federal staff with analyses and required research to enable consultation under section 7 of the ESA on Federal activities affecting ESA-listed species and designated critical habitats.
• Assist Federal staff with writing ESA section 7 consultation documents, including letters of concurrence and biological opinions.
• Assist with the collection of best available scientific and commercial data toward the development of the description of the action and action area, environmental baseline, status of listed species and designated critical habitat, and the effects analysis, including cumulative effects and exposure and response analyses for ESA section 7 consultation on Federal actions.
• Assist Federal staff with ESA section 7 consultations as necessary to process ESA consultation initiation requests by reviewing all relevant information, including that provided by the appropriate Federal agency and current scientific literature.
• Assist Federal staff with requests for additional information from Federal agencies and applicants when section 7 consultation initiation requests are incomplete.
• Assist Federal staff in all stages of the section 7 consultation process, including the technical assistance phase with Federal action agencies and applicants.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Location: Telecommute, work may be performed offsite.

Salary and Benefits: These are full-time positions with a generous benefit package. Salary: $37.00 to $40.00 per hour.

Required Knowledge And Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience. Years of education beyond Bachelors Degree can be substituted for experience.
• Documented evidence of education and/or experience in one of the following: environmental regulations and the Federal regulatory process; environmental sciences, biological sciences (fisheries biology/ecology; marine mammal biology/ecology; sea turtle biology/ecology; and/or marine biology/ecology), ecological risk assessment or environmental impact analysis, scientific project management.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action