Senior Fisheries Management Scientist

Job Description:

• Evaluate fishery and hatchery management frameworks under ESA Sections 7(a)(2), 10(a)(1), ESA 4(d) Rules (Limits 4, 5, and 6), and Tribal 4(d) Rules.
• Assess the impacts of harvest and hatchery operations on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations within Puget Sound, the Columbia River Basin, and California watersheds.
• Conduct scientific and quantitative analyses, including: Harvest trend analysis, Risk assessments, Exploitation rate comparisons, Escapement goal evaluations, Alternative fisheries management strategy analyses.
• Develop project work plans, schedules, milestones, and weekly status reports to support NOAA project management activities.
• Prepare, review, and finalize ESA effects evaluations, biological determinations, technical memoranda, and supporting scientific analyses.
• Draft and revise NEPA documentation, including: Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
• Revise scientific and regulatory documents based on comments received from NOAA Fisheries staff, NOAA General Counsel, tribal governments, state agencies, and public stakeholders.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, fisheries biologists, policy specialists, tribal representatives, and resource managers to support fisheries conservation and regulatory decision-making.
• Communicate complex biological findings and policy recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support federal environmental compliance efforts while ensuring all analyses meet NOAA scientific and legal standards.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Biology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Biology, or a related scientific discipline, with at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal environmental regulations, including: Endangered Species Act (ESA), Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
• Experience preparing NEPA documentation, including CEs, FONSIs, Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
• Experience preparing fisheries or hatchery management analyses using the best available scientific information.
• Experience evaluating harvest impacts and hatchery operations affecting anadromous salmonids.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience preparing scientific reports, environmental analyses, and regulatory documentation.
• Experience supporting ESA Section 7, Section 10, or ESA 4(d) consultations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-Risk Public Trust clearance and PIV/CAC credentials.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance