Facilitator - PRD, Nisqually River Pinniped Task Force; Remote

Position: Facilitator - PRD, Nisqually River Pinniped Task Force (Remote)
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Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Facilitation Services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region. 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.

We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract

Background

The commissioning of a Nisqually River Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) is required by subsection 120(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as part of the process when considering an application from an eligible state government requesting to lethally remove those sea lions that are having a significant negative impact on at-risk populations of salmon and steelhead. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires a professional, impartial facilitation team to help manage the Task Force due to the controversial nature of the subject and the discussions.

The MMPA requires that the Task Force be convened to review the application, review the public comments on the application, and to provide NMFS with a recommendation to either approve or deny an application requesting authority for lethal removal of sea lions.

In anticipation of an application from the state of Washington, NMFS is preparing to establish and convene a Task Force in 2027 to evaluate the application and expects these session meetings to be limited to no more than three days and to be held off-site. NMFS requires contractor support to oversee and manage Public Meetings and Deliberations of the Task Force and provide NMFS with a Task Force report and Task Force recommendations on the subject application.

Specifically, the WCR requires services of an independent facilitator who will: advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force; be responsible for renting the facility for the Task Force meeting, to include all reimbursable costs associated with rental, equipment and supplies; assess the needs of Task Force members in advance of the session via one-on-one telephone calls; manage and facilitate the participation of Task Force members during their deliberations and discussions;

work with Task Force members using facilitation and mediation techniques to sort through polarized views; document task force deliberations; professionally manage public involvement in the Task Force meetings; and write a detailed report that captures the final agreements and recommendations of the Task Force.

Tasks

Key tasks include the following:

Task 1:
Description-Preparation for Task Force Meetings

• Plan approach to Task Force meetings with NMFS
• Review preparatory information/materials w/NMFS
• Prepare draft agenda and prepare supporting materials for Task Force meetings
• Pre-meeting calls with Task Force members
• Reserve and purchase meeting space and equipment rental for up to (55) participants
• Project management and meeting logistics

Task 2:
Description
- Facilitate and Document Discussion

• Facilitate meetings/discussions
• Document meeting/discussion

Task 3:
Description
- Report of Task Force Deliberations

• Prepare meeting/discussion summary
• Prepare draft report and manage iterative process with Task Force
• Provide NMFS with draft report and Task Force recommendations for review and approval
• Revise draft report
• Provide NMFS with a final report and Task Force recommendation

Additional Task Breakout Grouped By Phases

Task 1 Prepare for Session

• Advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force: pre-meeting scoping, communicating and coordinating with NMFS and providing follow-up and action items, approaches, agenda and supporting materials (Senior Consultant)
• Advise and assist NMFS in convening the…