Senior Consultant

Title - Senior Consultant 
Client - NOAA
Location - Remote
Type - Full Time

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Consultant / Lead Facilitator-Mediator to support a NOAA NMFS Protected ResourcesDivision task force involving the Nisqually River Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force. This role requires animpartial senior facilitator with deep experience managing controversial, multi-party natural resource discussionsinvolving Federal, state, local, tribal, public, and stakeholder interests related to salmon, steelhead, and marinemammal management in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Responsibilities

 Advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force.
 Plan the Task Force meeting approach with NMFS and review preparatory information and materials. Prepare draft agendas and supporting materials for Task Force meetings.
 Conduct pre-meeting scoping and one-on-one telephone calls with Task Force members to assess needs andconcerns.
 Coordinate with NMFS, provide follow-up actions, and support planning decisions for the session.
 Oversee project management, meeting logistics, facility planning, and meeting preparation.
 Lead facilitation of public meetings, deliberations, and controversial stakeholder discussions.
 Use facilitation and mediation techniques to help Task Force members address polarized views and worktoward recommendations. Professionally manage public involvement in Task Force meetings.
 Guide documentation of deliberations, agreements, recommendations, and unresolved issues.
 Review and refine the final Task Force report and recommendations for submission to NMFS.
 Ensure work products are professional, impartial, accurate, and consistent with the purpose of the Task Force.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
 Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible facilitation management and conflict resolution experiencein a professional environment.
 Demonstrated lead facilitator and mediator experience involving complex, multi-party, multi-state naturalresource management issues.
 Experience resolving controversial issues related to Pacific salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest.
 Experience facilitating discussions involving state, local, and Federal agencies and the public.
 Ability to manage public meetings, stakeholder communications, polarized views, and sensitive deliberationswith impartiality and professionalism.
 Ability to support report development, final recommendations, and clear documentation of deliberations.