Astor Environmental LLC (Astor) is seeking candidates to support the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources for duties associated with the preparation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations.

Astor conducts research and provides personnel support services to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species.

In collaboration with Federal agencies such as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the US Coast Guard (USCG), staff in the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources (OPR) and the regions consult under section 7 of the ESA on offshore wind and other infrastructure projects, including those funded or authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Infrastructure projects also involve coordination with applicants, including industry and states and territories. Section 7 consultations require the preparation of concurrence letters and biological opinions. The preparation of these documents requires the collection of the best available scientific information and collaboration with action agencies and applicants for the development of the description of the action, environmental baseline, status of affected species and critical habitats, cumulative effects, and exposure and response analyses.

This position will perform analytical support tasks for the Government associated with the conservation and recovery of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species, specifically, assisting protected resources staff in OPR’s Endangered Species Division and Interagency Cooperation Division, as well as in regional offices in the preparation of section 7 consultations.

DUTIES:

1. Assist Federal staff with analyses and required research to enable consultation under section 7 of the ESA on Federal activities affecting ESA-listed species and designated critical habitats, including, but not limited to, all activities related to the national energy mandate, IIJA, and IRA.
2. Assist Federal staff with writing ESA section 7 consultation documents, including letters of concurrence and biological opinions.
3. Assist with the collection of best available scientific and commercial data toward the development of the description of the action and action area, environmental baseline, status of listed species and designated critical habitat, and the effects analysis, including cumulative effects and exposure and response analyses for ESA section 7 consultation on Federal actions.
4. Assist Federal staff with ESA section 7 consultations as necessary to process ESA consultation initiation requests by reviewing all relevant information, including that provided by the appropriate Federal agency and current scientific literature.
5. Assist Federal staff with requests for additional information from Federal agencies and applicants when section 7 consultation initiation requests are incomplete.
6. Assist Federal staff in all stages of the section 7 consultation process, including the technical assistance phase with Federal action agencies and applicants.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field and 7 years of relevant experience. Years of education beyond Bachelor’s Degree can be substituted for experience
• Documented evidence of education and/or experience in one of the following: environmental regulations and the Federal regulatory process; environmental sciences, biological sciences (fisheries biology/ecology; marine mammal biology/ecology; sea turtle biology/ecology; and/or marine biology/ecology), ecological risk assessment or environmental impact analysis, scientific project management
• Preferred experience in one or more of the following fields: infrastructure, fisheries, offshore wind, acoustics, water quality, toxicology, coastal modeling, noise, freshwater systems
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action
• Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply

Location: Telecommute, work may be performed offsite.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with a generous benefit package. Salary: $33.00 to $37.00 per hour.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.