Ocean Career: Ecologist at Ocean Associates Inc

Job Title

Fisheries and Ecological Services Division Position

The Fisheries and Ecological Services Division (FES) in Region 7 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) consists of a diverse group of cross-cutting programs that have varied responsibilities to understand and address complex issues such as fisheries management, endangered and threatened species, environmental contaminants, habitat protection and restoration, and marine mammal conservation and recovery. These programs and associated products are delivered through Fish and Wildlife Field Offices located across the state of Alaska, as well as through numerous partnerships with state agencies, universities, tribes, non-profits, private land owners and other stakeholders.

The program objective is to assist the R7 Service FES Program in carrying out its stewardship responsibilities for protected species, birds, fish, marine mammals and habitats. Collectively, the services provided will facilitate implementation of agency mandates and assist in achieving the objectives of conservation of trust species and their associated habitats.

The duties described below include the full scope of work for the office, with specific tasks to be allocated to each given position at a later date.

Document Preparation and Presentation to prepare responses to inquiries, white papers, reports and other documents.

• Prepare responses to requests for information on the presence of species and habitats, and analysis of potential impact to these from proposed projects and activities.
• Compile and analyze biological information on species, habitats or threats.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets, reports, letters, and other documents.
• Develop content for a variety of print and electronic publications.
• Prepare materials for meetings.

Technical Writing and Editing to prepare scientific and policy documents and review and edit written documents.

• Prepare documents which include technical scientific information.
• Edit documents to ensure accurate scientific information.
• Edit documents to correct grammatical errors.
• Edit documents to ensure consistency with agency guidance, format and policy.

Information Collection, Review, Compilation and Analysis to collect information on species distribution and abundance, habitat quantity and quality and other information on natural resources, verify the accuracy of this data, and analyze it.

• Conduct literature reviews.
• Conduct site visits to collect data in the field, including the use of boats, trucks, ATVs, aircraft
• Conduct field work including capturing fish and wildlife, collecting data, restoring habitat
• Enter data into databases and conduct quality assurance/quality control.
• Conduct public opinion polls.
• Analyze outreach metrics.
• Gather and analyze economic and demographic information.

Study Design & Statistical Analysis working with program biologists to ensure that proposed research projects are of sufficient scientific rigor and statistical design so as to provide meaningful results. Conduct power analyses to help identify the appropriate study characteristics including sample size, years of duration, number of replicates, etc. Work with program staff to analyze data collected in a timely and complete manner so that it is available for management purposes.

• Work with FES staff to ensure that all study proposals have specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-specific management objectives.
• Work with FES staff to ensure that all study proposals include a plan for the design, analysis, reporting and management of data.
• Work with staff within Ecological Services to develop study proposals for at-risk species which focus on key information needs to determine the current and likely future condition of such species.

Impact Analysis identifying, evaluating and working to mitigate adverse impacts of proposed actions (e.g., dams, wind turbines, wave turbines, oil and gas development, and other structures and development projects) on resources and habitats.

• Review construction and design plans to determine potential impacts.
• Make recommendations for modifications to avoid, minimize or mitigate potential impacts to Service…