Title - Regulatory Fisheries Biologist
Client: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) – West Coast Region
Location: Remote (Off-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time Contractor
Position Overview
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast Region, is seeking a Regulatory Fisheries Biologist / ESA Consultation Specialist to provide scientific, technical, and regulatory support for Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations and environmental compliance activities. This position supports the evaluation of federal actions affecting salmon, steelhead, protected marine species, essential fish habitat, and aquatic ecosystems throughout the Pacific Northwest and California.
The successful candidate will prepare scientifically sound and legally defensible environmental and regulatory documents in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), Federal Power Act (FPA), and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
This is a remote position requiring availability during Pacific Time business hours, with periodic travel for regional meetings, field visits, and collaboration with NOAA personnel.
Key Responsibilities
- Review, analyze, and synthesize biological, ecological, engineering, and project information to evaluate potential impacts on fishery resources, protected species, critical habitat, essential fish habitat, and aquatic ecosystems.
- Prepare, review, and revise technical and regulatory documents, including:
- ESA Biological Opinions
- Letters of Concurrence
- ESA Section 10 permit documentation
- Magnuson-Stevens Act consultation responses
- NEPA Environmental Assessments and supporting documentation
- Review Biological Assessments, consultation packages, permit applications, and supporting documentation to ensure scientific accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide technical consultation to federal agencies, identify data gaps, recommend conservation measures, and develop appropriate technical standards during pre-consultation activities.
- Evaluate requests submitted under programmatic consultations and prepare verification letters, determinations, technical responses, and supporting documentation for Government review.
- Coordinate with NMFS biologists, fish-passage engineers, NOAA Science Centers, attorneys, Geographic Branch Managers, project managers, and other federal and state partners.
- Maintain consultation records, administrative files, quality assurance documentation, and consultation tracking information using NOAA systems, including ECO.
- Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and provide technical expertise to support regulatory decision-making.
- Support continuous improvement of consultation processes while ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations and agency guidance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor''s degree in Aquatic Biology, Fisheries Biology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries Management, Environmental Science, or a closely related scientific discipline, plus at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience, OR
- Master''s degree in a related scientific discipline with at least one (1) year of directly related experience.
- Strong knowledge of salmonid biology, life history, habitat requirements, and aquatic ecosystems.
- Experience supporting environmental compliance under federal environmental regulations.
- Excellent technical writing, editing, analytical, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working within interdisciplinary or multi-agency project teams.
- Experience with project planning, scheduling, milestones, performance metrics, and collaborative project management.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Valid driver''s license.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-Risk Public Trust clearance and PIV/CAC credentials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience implementing and interpreting requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).
- Experience preparing federal regulatory documentation for environmental compliance projects.
- Experience conducting ESA Section 7 consultations, NEPA environmental analyses, or preparing administrative records.
- Experience evaluating impacts of human activities on marine, estuarine, or anadromous fish species and their habitats.
- Experience supporting fish-passage reviews, habitat restoration, or aquatic ecosystem conservation projects.
- Experience collaborating with tribal governments, state resource agencies, and federal environmental organizations.
- Familiarity with FOIA documentation and federal records management processes.
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