Senior Analyst:MMPA/ESA Support Services

Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Senior Analyst to provide support to the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR) in Silver Spring MD. OAI supplies personnel support services on contract to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species. The employee will support the OPR in the processing of incidental take authorization (ITA) and scientific research and enhancement permit (SREP) requests under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This is a full time position based on 40 hrs. /week with generous employee benefits. Hourly rate is commensurate with experience. The position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

Location:Silver Spring, MD

Duties:

• Process and/or support the processing of ITA requests pursuant to Section 101(a) (5) of (MMPA and in conformance with NMFS' policies, including: reviewing applications; coordinating with applicants; conducting analyses; responding to public comments; and drafting all necessary documents.
• Evaluate, conduct, and draft (or assist with those actions) National Environmental Policy Act analyses.
• Critically analyze and/or support the critical analysis of scientific literature, agency documents, and other applicable information to assess impacts of human activities (including underwater noise) on marine mammals and develop/evaluate mitigation and monitoring to support agency findings under the MMPA and/or Endangered Species Act (ESA), and ensure compliance with Section 7 of the ESA, NEPA, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, and other applicable statutes.
• Communicate and/or assist with communicating program policies, requirements, and issues to the public and other Federal Agencies, as well as to other NOAA programs and leadership.
• Support program planning, monitoring, technical analyses, improvement, and policy development across Division, and assist with other Division actions as needed.
• As needed, process and/or support the processing of SREP requests for protected species pursuant to Sections 104 of the MMPA and 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and in conformance with NMFS' policies, including: reviewing applications; coordinating with applicants; conducting analyses; responding to public and internal comments; and drafting all necessary documents.

Qualifications:

Selected individual(s) must have the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major directly related in a field of study and with an emphasis in fisheries, , social science, natural science, plus three (3) years of experience in related field to the stated duties or combination of such totaling seven (7) years combined education/experience. A Master’s Degree may be substituted for experience.

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 directly related to the duties and required knowledge and experience described above.
• Education 
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references. 
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in a readable (i.e. 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.  Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully 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 self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify. 

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.