ESA-MSA Klamath Project Support; Remote

Position: ESA-MSA Klamath Project Support (Remote)
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Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Endangered Species Act & Magnuson-Stevens Act support 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 successful candidate will provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of promoting the protection, conservation, and recovery of anadromous fish, marine fish, invertebrates and their habitat. The primary objective is to assist the Government in meeting its authorities under the statutes and mandates of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) with particular emphasis on the reinitiation of the ESA Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion, and MSA Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Response for Klamath Project Operations from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029 (Biological Opinion).

The necessary work will occur in the area influenced by and influencing the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) Klamath Project Operations, which generally includes the watershed upstream and downstream of Upper Klamath Lake, OR and the Lost River watershed. Work will focus on assisting and advising NMFS on the complex administrative record for the Klamath Project, assisting NMFS with meeting its statutory requirements and mandates in developing and implementing the Biological Opinion, and assisting NMFS with its review of draft biological assessments, and advising NMFS on sufficiency and accuracy of technical documents.

Tasks

The successful candidate shall provide advisory services to support California Coastal Office's (CCO) Klamath branch in supporting the conservation and protection of anadromous fish listed under the ESA and EFH.

Key tasks include the following:

• Assist NMFS with the review and technical comments of biological assessments
• Evaluate and analyze effects of proposed actions, conservation measures, and mitigation activities on ESA-listed salmon, steelhead, southern resident killer whales, green sturgeon, eulachon and their critical habitat, and EFH
• Develop recommendations on ways to minimize adverse effects to ESA-listed fish and their habitat, and EFH associated with proposed Bureau of Reclamation activities
• Participate in internal and external meetings that support the purpose of the consultation.
• Assist NMFS in preparing and reviewing section 7 consultation letters, biological opinions, incidental take permits, transmittal memos, briefing documents, national environmental policy act documents, and other written documents, as needed
• Assist NMFS monitoring compliance with ESA documents and effectiveness of terms and conditions.
• Maintain administrative records in accordance with CCO filing procedures

Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract.

Location: Remote/Telework Work

Travel: Travel to one or two planning meetings for each of the program planning tasks will be required, and one or two annual meetings to Ashland, OR or Klamath Falls, OR.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $30.00 - $55.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with 10 years or more relevant experience.
• Expertise with anadromous salmonid biology and ecology in the Klamath River, with particular emphasis on ESA conservation programs
• Expertise and procedural knowledge with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
• Efficiency in using word-processing programs to develop written documents
• Provide interdisciplinary expertise related to program and project management, business processes, best practices and procedures, database management, and meeting facilitation.
• Have knowledge and expertise of NOAA Fisheries policies and programs, as well as experience with planning, and Federal financial management and operations.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Demonstrated experience of strong technical writing skills
• Experience managing complex impact analyses related to controversial water operations.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background…