The National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division in St. Petersburg, FL is currently recruiting for a Fishery Biologist GS-482-9/11, term position, to assist with the marine mammal-fishery interaction program.

The duties and responsibilities for the position include:
- Assisting the Team Leads for the Atlantic Large Whale, Atlantic Pelagic Longline and Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Teams with take reduction plan implementation and meeting logistics
- Assisting with preparation of rulemaking and associated National Environmental Policy Act documents
- Promoting gear research funding opportunities and assisting in review of research proposals and reports
- Preparing draft input for annual Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) List of Fisheries notices, based on review of information regarding stock status and incidental takes of marine mammals in Southeast fisheries
- Implementing the Marine Mammal Authorization Program and ensuring integration of authorizations with Federal and state fishery permit programs
- Assisting with development and dissemination of outreach and educational materials related to marine mammal conservation and management programs
- Preparing correspondence, briefing documents, and other written materials as needed.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform in this position include: experience working with Section 118 of the MMPA and regulations, agency policies, and guidelines governing serious injury and mortality of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations; experience working with the take reduction planning process under the MMPA; experience working with commercial and recreational fisheries other federal activities that adversely affect marine mammals in the Southeast; or equivalent experience.

To learn more about this position and for instructions on how to apply, go to www.usajobs.gov and search on Job Announcement Number: NMFS-SER-2006-0032.  Applications must be filed online by Friday, June 23, 2006.