Aquatic Biology

Title - Aquatic Biology ESA-MSA Consultation Specialist
Client - NOAA
Locatio - Remote
Type - Full Time

Position Overview
We are seeking experienced Fisheries / Aquatic Biology ESA-MSA Consultation Specialists to support NOAANational Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region, Oregon Washington Coastal Office. The selectedcandidates will provide scientific, biological, regulatory, and technical document support for interagencyconsultations under the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

Key Responsibilities

Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information to determineenvironmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats.
 Evaluate proposed project effects from land, water, fishery management, construction, maintenance, and otherhuman activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.
 Draft combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses related to action agency Biological Assessmentsfor listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat.
 Draft combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses for salmon, steelhead, rockfish, whales, seastars, and other NMFS-trust species, as applicable
 Draft combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses for salmon, steelhead, rockfish, whales, seastars, and other NMFS-trust species, as applicable.
Review biological assessments, permit applications, and consultation initiation packages and provide technicalfeedback to action agencies.Prepared for job-board posting and candidate sourcing | Draft based on Government PWS requirements
NOAA NMFS West Coast Region - Draft Job Descriptions for Recruiting Use
 Provide pre-consultation technical assistance regarding sufficiency, accuracy, completeness, conservationmeasures, regulatory compliance, and technical design standards.
 Review applications for enrollment in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails forprogrammatic enrollment actions.
 Prepare NEPA documentation and draft incidental take permits or other ESA Section 10 documentation, asneeded.
 Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers on reviews of proposed designs. Prepare consultation documentation in accordance with West Coast Region and OWCO quality assurance,electronic filing, and consultation tracking protocols.
 Review habitat restoration proposals supporting ESA recovery plans.
 Coordinate assignments and work products with the Project Officer or Geographic Branch Manager.
 Develop realistic schedules, track milestones, meet timelines, and prepare monthly progress reports.
 Participate in meetings, trainings, workshops, and occasional site visits

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and two years of relevantexperience, in aquatic biology or a related field.
 Knowledge of salmonid life cycles and habitat requirements.
 Experience supporting environmental, biological, fisheries, aquatic habitat, or protected resources analysis.
 Highly proficient English composition and editing skills.
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience working with diverse interagency teams.
 Experience with program planning and management in a team environment.
 Ability to develop performance metrics, schedules, milestones, and completion tracking.
 Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.