Position Description
Will support project management of NOAA-sponsored large-scale restoration projects in the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program and the Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP), including support of restoration efforts associated with the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Support tasks include the evaluation, identification, prioritization, implementation, and monitoring of the projects.
Will support the development of appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance documentation for projects in both the CWPPRA and DARRP programs. (i.e., Categorical Exclusions (CATEX), Environmental Assessments (EA), and tiered documents to Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) through established NOAA and CEQ methods, procedures and guidance).
Will coordinate with NOAA staff and applicable regulatory agencies in the drafting of appropriate permit and consultation requests to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Will support other initiatives in habitat restoration project planning and development including distribution of requests for proposals (RFPs) to potential applicants, review and scoring of proposals, participation in technical review discussions, and ensuring project objectives meet accepted principles and methods. Will also provide administrative record and file maintenance through NOAA project databases and systems, including SharePoint.
Required Skills
3+ years of experience with marine habitat restoration policy and programs within the habitats and resources of the Gulf of Mexico Region. Must have:
* Knowledge of biological sciences and techniques pertaining to ecology, marine and anadromous fisheries, offshore and coastal aquatic habitat and invasive species and the ability to apply ecological principles to habitat restoration.
* Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations related to living marine resources and habitat restoration projects such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) guidelines, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Sec 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
* The ability to occasionally travel within a region and perform field monitoring and habitat assessment activities to identify and evaluate habitat restoration projects.
* Knowledge of the habitats and resources of the Gulf of Mexico Region.
* Strong initiative, independence, problem solving abilities, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and have strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
* Ability to learn quickly and work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
* Proficiency with standard office software including Microsoft Office, email, and file management.
Experience with restoration project management; the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program and its policies and procedures; and Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and Oil Pollution Act (OPA), preferred. Prior experience working in a government office and familiarity with government office practices, a plus. Public speaking and technical writing skills and experience are a plus.
Must be a U.S Citizen or a Permanent Resident and be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility.
Education
BS in aquatic sciences, fishery biology, fish ecology, related discipline, or equivalent.