Title - Senior Fisheries Management Scientist
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 an experienced Senior Fisheries Management Scientist / Harvest Analysis Specialist to provide scientific analysis, regulatory support, and technical writing for salmon harvest and hatchery management programs throughout the Pacific Northwest and California.
The successful candidate will evaluate the impacts of harvest and hatchery management activities on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations while supporting the preparation of scientifically sound and legally defensible documents under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This position requires expertise in fisheries biology, quantitative analysis, harvest management, environmental compliance, and federal regulatory processes. The role is primarily remote with regular collaboration during Pacific Time business hours and periodic travel to NOAA offices and stakeholder meetings.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate fishery and hatchery management frameworks under ESA Sections 7(a)(2), 10(a)(1), ESA 4(d) Rules (Limits 4, 5, and 6), and Tribal 4(d) Rules.
- Assess the impacts of harvest and hatchery operations on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations within Puget Sound, the Columbia River Basin, and California watersheds.
- Conduct scientific and quantitative analyses, including:
- Harvest trend analysis
- Risk assessments
- Exploitation rate comparisons
- Escapement goal evaluations
- Alternative fisheries management strategy analyses
- Develop project work plans, schedules, milestones, and weekly status reports to support NOAA project management activities.
- Prepare, review, and finalize ESA effects evaluations, biological determinations, technical memoranda, and supporting scientific analyses.
- Draft and revise NEPA documentation, including:
- Categorical Exclusions (CEs)
- Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs)
- Environmental Assessments (EAs)
- Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
- Revise scientific and regulatory documents based on comments received from NOAA Fisheries staff, NOAA General Counsel, tribal governments, state agencies, and public stakeholders.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, fisheries biologists, policy specialists, tribal representatives, and resource managers to support fisheries conservation and regulatory decision-making.
- Communicate complex biological findings and policy recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Support federal environmental compliance efforts while ensuring all analyses meet NOAA scientific and legal standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor''s degree in Fisheries Biology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Biology, or a related scientific discipline, with at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience.
- Strong knowledge of federal environmental regulations, including:
- Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
- Experience preparing NEPA documentation, including CEs, FONSIs, Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
- Experience preparing fisheries or hatchery management analyses using the best available scientific information.
- Experience evaluating harvest impacts and hatchery operations affecting anadromous salmonids.
- Strong technical writing skills with experience preparing scientific reports, environmental analyses, and regulatory documentation.
- Experience supporting ESA Section 7, Section 10, or ESA 4(d) consultations.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-Risk Public Trust clearance and PIV/CAC credentials.
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