Environmental Scientist

Location: Woods Hole

At Saltwater Inc. we believe that high-quality data is vital to the health of our fisheries and oceans: our mission is to provide that data. We are a Women-Owned Small Business and are constantly seeking new team members who share our passion for innovation and environmental wellness. We are currently recruiting for five Environmental Scientists to provide Technical Assistance with Protected Species recovery efforts, Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation support, Economic Analyses, NEPA Preparation, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation, Stranding, and Disentanglement Response Programs.

This work will support the Great Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) by providing cross-program assistance to GARFO PRD in implementing mandates under Section 4, 7, and 10 of the ESA, under Section 401-404 and 118 of the MMPA, as well as under NEPA. This includes supporting work associated with the following primary areas: consultations under section 7 of the ESA;

responding to animals in distress through the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network, and Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network; recovery planning and implementation; and the preparation and review of NEPA documents in support of federal actions.

Please note that we are recruiting proactively and do not yet have this position available. If awarded the work, this will be a full-time position. Work will be performed remotely. The contract has a one-year base period with a potential of three option periods.

Duties:

B.2.1. Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Support

Provide technical assistance/pre-consultation review supporting the development of biological assessments, or equivalent, that analyze the effects of federal actions on GAR listed species and critical habitat. Participate in meetings and work within GARFO (SFD and HESD, as applicable), with NEFSC, and others to coordinate effectively and/or to ensure best available information and feedback is provided to federal partners. Support development of briefing materials, meeting summaries, or other documentation as requested.

Provide assistance and guidance to federal partners, supporting them through the consultation process.

Support development of and appropriately document formal consultations (biological opinions and/or programmatic consultations). Follow all internal clearance procedures, as directed by the program manager for section 7 consultations. Maintain records in the ECO database. Coordinate with species experts to ensure awareness of upcoming consultations and contribute to kickoff meetings for formal consultations. Ensure incorporation of the best available scientific information into all section 7 consultations.

Coordinate the review of section 7 and related documents with branch chief and general counsel and incorporate edits and comments as necessary. Work with OPR and action agencies/applicants on ESA/MMPA coordination. Ensure awareness of deadlines and provide early alerts for potential missed deadlines. Keep NMFS co-workers informed of important correspondence, events, decisions, and documents that may affect them. Coordinate closely with other team staff to maximize information transfer and sharing for consistency and efficiency.

Keep senior staff informed.

Contribute to and appropriately document informal consultations responding to an action agency's determination that a proposed action is not likely to adversely affect any species or critical habitat listed/designated. This includes contributing to completion of any letters of concurrence or documents required under a programmatic consultation. Follow all procedures for section 7 consultation as outlined above.

Monitor existing consultations to track implementation of the activity and any required measures (e.g., reviewing reports, monitoring compliance with the respective Incidental Take Statement, etc.). Contribute to monitoring needs related to programmatic consultations. Organize all submitted documents/records and document any incidental take and coordinate with the appropriate species leads and/or researchers. Ensure that RPMs and…