ESA Section 7 Consultation Support

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide ESA Section 7 Consultation to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), Alaska Regional Office (AKR), Protected Resources Division (PRD) in Juneau, AK. 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 NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region (AKR) Protected Resources Division (PRD) administers the Region’s responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The AKR PRD regularly consults on the effects of federal projects and authorizations upon threatened and endangered species and their designated critical habitat under Section 7 of the ESA. It is also responsible for implementing recovery actions directed towards conservation of threatened and endangered species under the ESA. 

In Alaska, PRD administers Section 7 of the ESA through consultation with federal agencies to conserve listed species and critical habitat during project development and implementation. Section 7 consultation is required when an action authorized, funded, or carried out by a federal action agency and may affect a listed species or its designated critical habitat. Informal consultation can be completed if the action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, listed species and/or critical habitat. If an action is likely to adversely affect listed species or critical habitat, formal consultation is required.

Tasks 

Task A: Technical assistance 

Act as representative for early technical assistance to federal agencies, or their designated non-federal representatives, consultants, or applicants regarding ESA Section 7 consultation requirements, inclusion of appropriate listed species, distinctions between the effects determinations, and measures to minimize, mitigate or avoid the taking of listed species or adverse effects to critical habitat. Technical assistance also includes retaining responsibility for a consultation for the full duration of the Task Order (i.e., conducting reviews, filing monitoring reports if requested afterward, and handling reinitiation requests). 

Task B: Managing consultation requests 

Within two days of being assigned a consultation, establish contact with the Action Agency, introducing themselves to their point of contact. Within two weeks, respond to requests for initiation with NMFS’ request for additional information regarding large issues (if any) that, once addressed, will allow proceeding with the consultation. These requests for additional information will initially be submitted to the NMFS section 7 coordinator or their deputy. If adequate information is provided initially, let the action agency know that consultation has begun, providing them with the date of initiation. 

Task C: Expedited Consultations 

Expedited consultations are not shortcut consultations. Rather, the action agency takes on additional responsibilities in providing a detailed analysis of project effects on listed species. Done well, requests for expedited consultation allows NMFS to complete informal consultations as stated in the Deliverables section. This will require evaluating the completeness of the project description provided, review the action agency’s analysis for sufficiency (including verifying cited information that may affect our concurrence). Then draft a rationale statement explaining how they got to the point of concurring with the action agency’s conclusions and determinations. In addition, draft a letter to the action agency using the AKR PRD template indicating our concurrence.

Task D: Informal Consultations 

Conduct ESA section 7 informal (including programmatic or batched) consultations, communicate with federal action agencies or their designated non-federal representatives, reviewing and assessing information supplied by action agencies to meet consultation needs, assessing project effects relative to ESA standards, preparing Letters of Concurrence, assembling administrative records of consultations, completing NMFS consultation tracking database (ECO) entries, and assisting with responding to Freedom of Information Act requests involving projects upon which you have worked. 

Task E: Formal Consultations 

Conduct ESA section 7 formal (including programmatic or batched) consultations, communicate and meet with federal action agencies, review and assess Biological Assessments as well as draft and final Marine Mammal Protection Act Incidental Harassment Authorization applications for sufficiency, assessing project effects upon ESA-listed marine mammals relative to ESA standards, preparation of Biological Opinions, assembling administrative records of consultations, completing NMFS consultation tracking database (ECO) entries, and assisting with responding to Freedom of Information Act requests involving projects upon which you have worked.

Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract.

Location: 

A: Remote/telework, or 

B: Regional Office in Juneau, AK, or

C: Regional office in Anchorage, AK.

(If remote, to the greatest extent practicable, be available during the core hours of the Alaska Region, which are 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM AKT, Tuesday through Thursday)

Travel: Travel is not anticipated.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $30.00 - $50.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an environmental science or associated discipline (e.g., biology, ecology, natural resource management, environmental or civil engineering, zoology, marine biology etc.) 


• Experience preparing Section 7 consultations as required under the ESA or similar environmental regulatory law (e.g. MMPA, NEPA, CWA, MSA). 


• Knowledge of ESA-listed species and their habitats 


• Knowledge of NMFS Acoustic Criteria for exposure to underwater and airborne sound 


• Knowledge of the coastal and marine ecology of Alaska 


• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills and the ability to assess potential effects to ESA resources due to coastal and marine activities (e.g., oil & gas exploration and development, dredging, harbor construction, pile driving, military operations) 


• Proficient with common databases and office productivity programs, such as Word, Excel, Gmail, Google docs, and Endnote 


• Strong organizational skills with ability to work independently and comply with project deadlines 


• Ability to follow complex directions and guidance 


• Strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others, including a diverse array of federal action agencies 


• Strong professional writing skills and the ability to express both biological and regulatory concepts in plain language, as well as the ability to express in writing the logical train of reasoning leading to the stated conclusions 

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 requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.


• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.


• Education.


• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.


• Three professional references. 


• Include your name in the document file name.


• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA. 

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.