Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service seeks a Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist to lead the NEPA program at the Headquarters level and serve as a key policy advisor for ocean and coastal environmental management. The role requires directing the NMFS HQ NEPA program, coordinating with federal agencies, and supervising a team, with a CAPS classification equivalent to GS-13/14.

Located in Silver Spring, MD, the position emphasizes leadership, strategic policy work, and regulatory

Qualifications

• Serve as NEPA National Coordinator and trusted advisor in environmental compliance.
• Develop policy recommendations for coastal and ocean resource management.
• Coordinate NEPA requirements across federal agencies with external partners.
• Supervise subordinate staff and manage performance, training, and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning and oversight of NMFS HQ NEPA program.
• Represent NMFS in interagency work with DoD, USFWS, CEQ, and others to coordinate NEPA.
• Analyze NMFS programs to address environmental compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance to NMFS and NOAA leadership on legal compliance requirements.

Skills

NEPA coordination

Policy development

Interagency coordination

Staff supervision

Job description

Open: September 2, 2026 — Closes: September 8, 2026

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of the Assistant Administrator (OAA), Office of Policy, with 1 vacancy in Silver Spring, MD.

Major Duties

As a Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) National Coordinator, technical advisor, authority, and expert in the area of environmental compliance. Provide planning and oversight to manage the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Headquarters (HQ) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Program. Engage directly to represent NMFS as an interagency team member with external federal agencies including the U.S. Navy, Marine Minerals Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Council on Environmental Quality to effectively coordinate NEPA requirements across federal agencies to address National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) coastal and marine resource responsibilities. Develop policy recommendations and strategies to resolve complex problems involving scientific research on coastal and ocean resource management. Conduct resource and management studies and formulate solutions related to environmental programs. Recommend and direct NEPA program improvements to increase program efficiency and effectiveness, while maintaining high standards resulting in NEPA documentation that is clear, concise, timely, and legally defensible. Analyze existing NMFS programs and existing operations to address environmental compliance requirements. Provide expert advice, guidance, and recommendations to NMFS and NOAA leadership to ensure activities comply with legal requirements. Provide oversight of NMFS HQ regulatory program offices for environmental compliance requirements conducted under NEPA and other NOAA legal mandates. Serve as supervisor of subordinate staff to include planning and distributing work, setting priorities, managing personnel (i.e., hiring, addressing grievances, promotions, etc.), and developing schedules for the completion of work. Evaluate the performance of subordinates and provide technical oversight and instruction. Identify developmental needs and provide or arrange for training. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.