Senior Scientist Job Honolulu area,Hawaii USA,Science

Position: Vacancy Announcement-Senior Scientist

Senior Scientist

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Senior Scientist: PDF Term:
Full-time permanent, with 1-year probation and 2-year review, continuation based on funding and performance. Deadline for application submittal is July 15, 2026, or until filled.

A. Background The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), has the responsibility of developing and preparing management plans for federally managed fisheries within its jurisdiction. Recommendations for federal management actions are provided to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for approval, implementation and monitoring. The Council is one of eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, with authority over the management of fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone waters off the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawai'i.

Primary U.S. fisheries operating in the Western Pacific Region include the American Samoa and Hawai'i longline fleet, U.S. Purse Seine fleet and small-boat fisheries in each island jurisdiction. The Western Pacific Region represents about half of the U.S. EEZ waters scattered across the equator and international date line and is home to diverse island cultures – Samoan, Hawaiian, Chamorro and Refaluwasch.

The Council, composed of 17 public, State, and Federal members, meet at a minimum of four times a year to conduct its business. Guidelines include the MSA, WPRFMC statement of Organization Practices and Procedures, 50 CFR 601 regulations, Council program plan, Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) objectives and guidelines, and other related policies and agreements. The Council operation is supported by program and administrative staff headed by an Executive Director.

The Senior Scientist is responsible for advising the Executive Director on scientific and technical analysis related to regulatory management actions taken under the MSA to support healthy and sustainable fisheries in the Western Pacific Region.

B. Supervisory Factors The Senior Scientist works under the general supervision of the Executive Director but exercises wide latitude and judgment within assigned duties. The Senior Scientist oversees and supervises the Marine Ecosystem Scientist and Pelagic Fisheries Ecosystem Scientist.

C. Responsibilities The Senior Scientist will work closely with the Executive Director to:

Coordinate development and monitoring of FEPs, including the preparation of plans, amendments, National Environmental Protection Act documents, draft regulations, etc., as assigned.

Act as principal staff providing necessary technical guidance, oversight and assistance to the Scientific and Statistical Committee to ensure it follows established time schedules, conforms to protocols and appropriate guidelines, and prepares technically adequate reports and recommendations for Council consideration.

Coordinate the Council's science and research priorities to ensure they address management priorities, and liaise with science partners (especially NMFS/Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).

Review and approve final staff revisions to FEPs, amendments and associated documents before they are forwarded to the Secretary of Commerce.

Advise the Executive Director on technical matters relating to FEP development, alert the Executive Director to controversial or significant matters affecting the development of FEPs, and develop options and recommendations to resolve those issues.

Assist as principal program staff with the Plan Team and Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee and ensure staff provide quality technical analysis and reports to support these advisory bodies.

Oversee insular and pelagic program staff assignments for collecting and analyzing biological, social and economic information used in FEP amendment and documents.

Prepare correspondence on Council issues, as assigned, and edit staff documents and correspondence to ensure technical subject matter accuracy.

Research complex fishery science and management issues requiring legal and technical knowledge to understand management implications as…