Fishery Restoration Scientist

Position Description

Seeking a Fishery Restoration Scientist to support NOAA Fisheries in executing analytical, technical, and field-related tasks across multiple habitat conservation and environmental review programs. This position will work closely with the NOAA Project Lead (PL) to evaluate project impacts, conduct habitat analyses, support regulatory reviews, and develop high-quality technical deliverables. The work will be performed in a fully remote capacity, with only a limited possibility of occasional travel within the east coast regions of Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia.

The task includes the following:

• Review study objectives developed by the Southeast Region and project partners, identify optimal field study locations, manage partner-provided datasets, develop associated metadata, and recommend practicable refinements to future field efforts. Deliver short technical reports and data files and incorporate all NOAA PL comments into final documentation.
• Analyze project-specific data to evaluate compliance with hydropower facility license conditions, with particular attention to fish passage and flow prescriptions. Deliver concise written reports for each facility and revise final documentation in response to NOAA PL comments.
• Assess effects to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and evaluate proposed mitigative measures for offshore wind energy projects using data provided. Prepare short written reports and develop briefing materials suitable for NOAA senior leadership summarizing project objectives, expected impacts, benefits, and anticipated schedules. Address all NOAA PL comments in final deliverables.
• Review dredging operation data and coral condition information for the Port Everglades and Port Miami project areas. Evaluate potential effects to coral habitat, recommend mitigation measures to offset expected impacts, and deliver a written report containing habitat characterizations and supporting GIS files with appropriate metadata and Google Earth files. Address all NOAA PL comments in final documentation.
• Conduct EFH, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), and Fish and Wildlife Planning Assistance (FPA) analyses for proposed construction and restoration projects. Maintain a current understanding of diadromous, estuarine, and reef fish habitats, key environmental pressures, and conservation partnerships across Southeast U.S. watersheds. Use GIS to prepare maps and manage spatial data for analysis, and produce written reports and briefing materials with complete responses to NOAA PL comments.
• Submit electronic monthly progress reports that clearly correlate cost, level of effort, activity descriptions, and accomplishments for the reporting period.
  
  
  

Requirements

• Knowledge of fish and habitat ecology, environmental conservation principles, and habitat impact assessment methodologies.
• Experience conducting data analysis, preparing technical summaries, and managing fisheries or environmental datasets.
• Experience using GIS software for spatial analysis, map production, and metadata development.
• Familiarity with EFH assessments, environmental review processes, and habitat-based conservation strategies within marine or estuarine systems.
• Ability to write clear, concise technical reports and prepare briefing materials for senior decision-makers.
• Strong proficiency with common software including word processing, spreadsheets, statistical tools, data management applications, and the entire Google suite.
• Ability to collaborate with partners, manage multiple ongoing tasks, and respond to technical comments with accuracy and completeness.
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident who has lived in the United States at least 3 of the last 5 years and must be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to access applicable government systems.
  
  
  

Work Location

This position is fully remote in support of NOAA Fisheries.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marine Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, plus three years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, or a closely related field.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $46,000 - 221,000/year. This range is a good faith estimate based on similar roles across the organization. ERT considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including the location, scope, and associated responsibilities of the specific position, as well as a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits

All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our flexible benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Professional Membership Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Competitive compensation plan
• Discretionary variable incentive bonuses based on factors such as individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance
• Publication and Conference Presentation Awards with bonuses
  
  
  

ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.