Senior ESA Section Biologist

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking to hire a Senior ESA Section 7 Biologist (Analytical Services Level III) to support a contract with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Regional Office (AKR), Protected Resources Division (PRD). This is a full-time position that may be performed remotely or onsite in Juneau or Anchorage, Alaska. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award.

Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA Pro Tech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.

AKR PRD requires contractor support to conduct Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations and associated analytical work to evaluate the effects of federal actions on listed species and critical habitat. These positions will support NOAA Fisheries in meeting consultation workload demands and ensuring compliance with ESA regulatory requirements. This position is contingent upon contract award.

Duties of the Senior ESA Section 7 Biologist will include the following:

• Provide technical assistance to federal action agencies and applicants regarding ESA Section 7 consultation requirements, species considerations, and impact minimization measures.
• Manage consultation requests, including coordination with action agencies, initiation of consultations, and identification of required information.
• Conduct expedited consultations by reviewing action agency analyses, validating supporting information, and preparing concurrence rationale and documentation.
• Perform ESA Section 7 informal consultations, including evaluation of project effects, preparation of Letters of Concurrence, and development of administrative records.
• Perform ESA Section 7 formal consultations, including review of Biological Assessments, evaluation of impacts to ESA-listed species, and preparation of Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements.
• Assess project impacts associated with coastal and marine activities such as oil and gas development, dredging, pile driving, and military operations.
• Maintain consultation tracking and data entry within NMFS systems, including ECO and internal tracking tools.
• Coordinate with NMFS staff and action agencies to ensure consultations meet regulatory requirements and timelines.
• Prepare technical documentation, analyses, and correspondence supporting ESA consultation decisions.
• Provide leadership, technical oversight, and guidance to less senior staff supporting consultation activities.

• Letters of Concurrence and supporting rationale documentation
• Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements
• Administrative records for consultations
• Consultation tracking database entries and updates
• Monthly progress reports and status updates

• Master’s degree or PhD in environmental science, biology, ecology, marine science, natural resource management, or related field
• At least five (5) years of experience supporting ESA Section 7 consultations or similar environmental regulatory processes
• Demonstrated experience preparing complex regulatory and technical documents (e.g., Biological Opinions, Letters of Concurrence, NEPA analyses, or similar)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Work may be performed remotely or at NOAA Fisheries facilities in Juneau or Anchorage, Alaska, depending on project needs.

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers  scientific and technical priorities –…