Environmental Specialist

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Telecommute

4 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $30.00 To $50.00 Hourly

NOTE:

We are seeking applicants for these positions prospectively, which are dependent on award of contract.

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at  to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking applicants to provide Environmental Specialist Support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office for Coastal Management (OCM) in Silver Spring, MD. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service

(NOS), Office for Coastal Management (OCM) is responsible for ensuring that activities within the U.S. coastal zone and deep-sea environments are managed sustainably and in compliance with federal environmental laws. The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (DSHMRA), 30 U.S.C. §§ 1401 et seq., assigns NOAA the responsibility for regulating deep seabed exploration and commercial recovery activities by U.S. nationals beyond national jurisdiction (i.e., beyond the U.S. continental shelf).

DSHMRA charges NOAA with the responsibility for issuing to U.S. companies licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules containing manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper from the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction. On April 24, 2025, the President signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14285, “Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” establishing policies to advance U.S. leadership in seabed mineral exploration and responsible commercial recovery.

Under DSHMRA, NOAA must review incoming applications to ensure the applicant has included information that is responsive to the regulatory and statutory requirements and initiate interagency consultation, where appropriate, to evaluate eligibility requirements. Geospatial data and information are critical in making informed decisions in complex coastal environments and communities. As part of the application review process, NOAA must ensure that the proposed exploration area does not create a conflict with international boundaries or with existing license or permit applications from other companies.

This regulatory regime ensures protection of threatened and endangered marine mammal species, opportunity for public comment, and other considerations through environmental impact reviews. The issuance of any license or permit requires development of an environmental impact statement to characterize the potential environmental impacts of the proposed activity and potential alternatives. The applicant must furnish information on physical, chemical, biological, and potential use conflict in the exploration area to be incorporated into the preparation of NOAA’s environmental impact statement.

As interest in deep-sea mining grows, NOAA must expand its capacity to develop and assess Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and ensure that all mining-related requests meet rigorous regulatory standards. These efforts require deep policy and regulatory analysis across a range of statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

• Assist in drafting and editing sections of NEPA documents, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and EIS. This includes conducting scientific evaluations of potential effects on marine resources.
• Apply knowledge of…