[Hiring] Aquatic Biology ESA-MSA Consultation Specialist @H & R COMPUTER CONSULTING SERVICES

Role Description

We are seeking experienced Fisheries / Aquatic Biology ESA-MSA Consultation Specialists to support NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region, Oregon Washington Coastal Office. The selected candidates will provide scientific, biological, regulatory, and technical document support for interagency consultations under the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information to determine environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats.
• Evaluate proposed project effects from land, water, fishery management, construction, maintenance, and other human activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.
• Draft combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses related to action agency Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat.
• Draft combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses for salmon, steelhead, rockfish, whales, seastars, and other NMFS-trust species, as applicable.
• Review biological assessments, permit applications, and consultation initiation packages and provide technical feedback to action agencies.
• Provide pre-consultation technical assistance regarding sufficiency, accuracy, completeness, conservation measures, regulatory compliance, and technical design standards.
• Review applications for enrollment in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails for programmatic enrollment actions.
• Prepare NEPA documentation and draft incidental take permits or other ESA Section 10 documentation, as needed.
• Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers on reviews of proposed designs.
• Prepare consultation documentation in accordance with West Coast Region and OWCO quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking protocols.
• Review habitat restoration proposals supporting ESA recovery plans.
• Coordinate assignments and work products with the Project Officer or Geographic Branch Manager.
• Develop realistic schedules, track milestones, meet timelines, and prepare monthly progress reports.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, workshops, and occasional site visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and two years of relevant experience, in aquatic biology or a related field.
• Knowledge of salmonid life cycles and habitat requirements.
• Experience supporting environmental, biological, fisheries, aquatic habitat, or protected resources analysis.
• Highly proficient English composition and editing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with diverse interagency teams.
• Experience with program planning and management in a team environment.
• Ability to develop performance metrics, schedules, milestones, and completion tracking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance