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What We Believe

Do work that matters.

We believe that our mission – to collect and provide high-quality information – is vital to the health of our oceans and fisheries.

Think big. Start small. Do it now.

To make a difference, we need to think big. Then start small – experimenting, investigating, testing. And do it now. That’s how things get done.

Be Creative. And be practical.

We strive to find new, better, more efficient ways to get things done. And while it’s sometimes tempting to go for the flashy approach, we always try to let practical lead.

Try harder.

For us, there is no “good enough.” Our clients and observers depend on us to be there 24/7 to solve problems and provide the highest quality information in the most efficient way possible.

Learn from everyone.

We get to work with all kinds of people – fishermen, observers, research scientists, data analysts, software developers, fishery managers, marine technicians, and accountants. We’ve learned that they all have important knowledge and ideas to share.

Work should be challenging, meaningful, and fun.

Our work is full of big challenges and interesting people. We love what we do and the people we work with. The combination makes our work rewarding and enjoyable.

Job Overview

At Saltwater Inc., we believe that high-quality data is vital to the health of our fisheries and oceans: our mission is to provide that data. Saltwater is a small, innovative company and we are currently recruiting Consultation Specialists for a full-time position conducted out of the Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO) offices in the West Coast Region based in Portland, OR. The individuals will provide program support in conducting interagency consultations under ESA section7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a)(5)(D), and MSA section 104-297, including document preparation activities for the following branches. Work will occasionally be at approved off-site locations for meetings, training, and field site visits.

 

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO) is responsible for implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act (MSA). Through programs conducted under each of these statutes, NMFS seeks to protect and preserve our nation’s living marine resources through scientific research, fisheries management, enforcement, and habitat conservation. NMFS West Coast Region works closely with tribes, local, state, and Federal agencies, and our stakeholders and partners (e.g., corporations, farmers and ranchers, homeowners, non-profit organizations, trade groups) to find science-based solutions to complex ecological issues.

The OWCO achieves its mission and advances sound stewardship of public resources through a variety of interagency consultations as requested by Federal agencies (or, in the case of the MMPA, citizens who request authorization for incidental take of marine mammals) to help manage, conserve, and protect living marine resources in inland, coastal, and offshore waters of the United States. NMFS branches within this area office respond to a high volume of requests to consult from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Navy, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other Federal agencies and then must document each consultation in a timely manner, including NMFS’ scientific evaluation of the proposed action, a summary of the information on which the evaluation is based, and a detailed discussion of the effects of the action on the species or habitat of concern.

Duties

• Conduct ESA, MMPA, MSA program consultation and document preparation activities in the Puget Sound and Washington Branches of OWCO
• Coordinate with their Project Officer or Geographic Branch Chief on assignments and work products daily
• Respond to inquiries from action agencies, applicants, and their representatives, and provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives during regular business hours. Examples of provided assistance include:
  • Initial contact with a consulting agency, applicant, or non-federal representative
  • Explanation of consultation process and information requirements, as necessary
  • Preparation or review of species lists
  • Recommendation of conservation measures to minimize adverse effects to listed species
  • Feedback on draft documents submitted by action agencies
  • Review of designs or coordinate with an engineer on review of designs
  • Site visits to potential project areas
• Review consultation initiation packages for accuracy and completeness; develop requests for further information sufficient to support initiating consultation, as needed
• Consult with action agencies and their representatives or applicants to ensure action agency compliance with each statute. Communicate with the Geographic Branch Chief to coordinate NMFS response to each consultation
• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region protocol for quality assurance
• Work cooperatively with OWCO branches and Division members to ensure efficient completion of work and consistency across the Division

Special Benefits

Compensation/Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Medical insurance, holidays, PTO, Sick pay, and 401K are also offered.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in biological sciences, engineering, or natural resource management, and an emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field or combination of such totaling nine (9) years combined education/experience. Master’s Degree in related field plus one (1) year experience or Ph.D. may be substituted for experience.
• Experience with or knowledge of the requirements of ESA section 7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a)(5)(D), or MSA section 104-297 and their respective consultation processes
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English-language composition
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• High proficiency in common software applications including MS Office and Google Suite, and email
• Experience with, or knowledge of, the requirements of the ESA, MMPA, and/or MSA and the consultation processes described above
• Valid driver’s license

 

Preferred

• Experience providing biological, economic, or social analyses to support recommendations for natural resource conservation measures
• Experience assessing the impacts of human activities on marine, estuarine, or anadromous species and their habitats as part of a regulatory program
• Experience developing policy or procedures for the management and conservation of protected species including marine fish, mammals, or sea turtles
• Background in biology, natural resource management, and salmonid and/or marine mammal species
• Endangered Species Act Section 7 experience, including programmatic consultations
• Experience working with tribal governments

How to Apply

Only qualified applicants that meet the requisite experience need to apply. If interested, applicants should submit a resume and cover letter that briefly describes how they meet the qualifications listed above and why they would be the best candidate for the job.

 

Please send your resume and cover letter to Kathy Robinson at [email protected]