Aquaculture

Title - Marine Aquaculture 
Client: NOAA Fisheries – Alaska Regional Office (AKR)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Remote 

Position Overview

NOAA Fisheries'' Alaska Regional Office is seeking a Marine Aquaculture & Environmental Compliance Specialist to provide technical, environmental review, and program coordination support for marine aquaculture activities in Alaska.

Under the guidance of the Alaska Regional Aquaculture Coordinator (RAC), the candidate will support the identification of an Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) in Alaska and preparation of the associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). The role will also support aquaculture-related Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations, environmental document reviews, interagency coordination, public engagement, and tribal engagement activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Alaska AOA PEIS process, including internal, regional, and cross-agency coordination.
• Assist with the review and preparation of NEPA and PEIS documents, analyses, comments, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate with NOAA divisions, Cooperating Agencies, the Office of Aquaculture, General Counsel, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and other federal partners.
• Provide technical assistance and review support for aquaculture-related ESA Section 7 and EFH consultations.
• Compile, synthesize, analyze, and manage scientific and environmental data supporting the AOA PEIS and Alaska Aquaculture Explorer webtool.
• Conduct technical research and compile aquaculture information, scientific literature citations, webinars, presentations, and other resources.
• Support aquaculture projects where the Alaska Regional Office serves as the lead federal agency, including working groups, environmental reviews, NEPA activities, and permitting coordination.
• Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, take notes, maintain Google Docs files, and track action items and project deliverables.
• Support the Alaska Interagency Working Group and Cooperating Agencies through meeting coordination, documentation, and facilitation assistance.
• Assist with public comment periods, webinars, FAQs, outreach materials, and internal and external AOA process messaging.
• Support government-led tribal consultation and engagement activities with Alaska tribal governments and corporations.
• Participate in meetings with federal and state agencies, applicants, permittees, industry groups, special interest groups, tribal representatives, and researchers.
• Assist with reviewing other aquaculture-related NEPA documents and proposed aquaculture activities and provide technical comments as requested.
• Prepare draft responses to aquaculture-related inquiries for government review and approval.
• Attend and/or present aquaculture information at local and regional coordination meetings, staff meetings, and workshops.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree from an accredited college or university in Biological Science, Marine Biology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).
• General understanding of NEPA environmental analysis and the ability to review and comment on NEPA documents.
• Knowledge of the marine aquaculture industry, including cultured species, aquaculture methods, and associated gear types.
• Understanding of marine natural resource management issues, including aquaculture, fisheries, and other ocean uses.
• General understanding of Alaska marine species, particularly cetaceans and pinnipeds.
• Strong scientific and environmental data compilation, synthesis, research, and document review skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and collaborative document management.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments and action items.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NEPA Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), or Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEIS).
• Experience with ESA Section 7 and/or Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations.
• Experience in marine aquaculture, fisheries, marine biology, environmental compliance, or marine natural resource management.
• Knowledge of Alaska marine ecosystems and protected marine species.
• Experience with federal or state natural resource agencies, public engagement, interagency coordination, or tribal engagement.

This position is ideal for an environmental or marine science professional with experience in NEPA, marine aquaculture, environmental consultation, and marine natural resource management who can effectively coordinate with multidisciplinary government, scientific, tribal, and external stakeholders.