Job Title: Environmental Specialist- Section 7 Support
Location: Remote
Clearance Required: Public Trust Eligible
Salary Range: $75K - $90K
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
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DescriptionIBSS is looking for an Environmental Specialist to provide cross-program assistance to GARFO PRD in implementing mandates under Section 4, 7, and 10 of the ESA, under Section 401-404 and 118 of the MMPA, as well as under NEPA.
The NMFS GARFO Protected Resources Division (PRD) is responsible for implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) covering the geographic range from Maine to Virginia. Protected species within this range include marine mammals, sea turtles, Atlantic salmon, Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. Occasionally, GARFO PRD also supports work in different regions nationally.
Key Responsibilities:- Provide technical assistance/pre-consultation review supporting the development of biological assessments, or equivalent, that analyze the effects of federal actions on GAR listed species and critical habitat.
- Participate in meetings and work within GARFO (SFD and HESD, as applicable), with NEFSC, and others to coordinate effectively and/or to ensure best available information and feedback is provided to federal partners.
- Support development of briefing materials, meeting summaries, or other documentation as requested. Provide assistance and guidance to federal partners, supporting them through the consultation process.
- Support development of and appropriately document formal consultations (biological opinions and/or programmatic consultations).
- Follow all internal clearance procedures, as directed by the program manager for section 7 consultations.
- Maintain records in the ECO database.
- Coordinate with species experts to ensure awareness of upcoming consultations and contribute to kickoff meetings for formal consultations.
- Ensure incorporation of the best available scientific information into all section 7 consultations.
- Coordinate the review of section 7 and related documents with branch chief and general counsel and incorporate edits and comments as necessary.
- Work with OPR and action agencies/applicants on ESA/MMPA coordination.
- Ensure awareness of deadlines and provide early alerts for potential missed deadlines.
- Keep NMFS co-workers informed of important correspondence, events, decisions, and documents that may affect them.
- Coordinate closely with other team staff to maximize information transfer and sharing for consistency and efficiency. Keep senior staff informed.
- Contribute to and appropriately document informal consultations responding to an action agency's determination that a proposed action is not likely to adversely affect any species or critical habitat listed/designated.
- This includes contributing to completion of any letters of concurrence or documents required under a programmatic consultation.
- Follow all procedures for section 7 consultation as outlined above.
- Monitor existing consultations to track implementation of the activity and any required measures (e.g., reviewing reports, monitoring compliance with the respective Incidental Take Statement, etc.).
- Contribute to monitoring needs related to programmatic consultations.
- Organize all submitted documents/records and document any incidental take and coordinate with the appropriate species leads and/or researchers.
- Ensure that RPMs and T&C's are adhered to.
- Meet with action agencies as necessary to evaluate effectiveness of measures, when applicable.
- Review and file reports from action agencies to ensure data is included in Division wide databases, reports, or meetings, where applicable.
- Assist in assessing the need for reinitiation of consultation based on monitoring outcomes
- Develop white papers on particular topics determined to be necessary by the program to support effects analyses, such as acoustic stressor models, aquaculture, climate change, and researching best management practices designed to minimize and monitor effects of Federal actions on ESA listed species and critical habitat.
- Conduct literature reviews on topics necessary to support the division's duties under section 7 and shall provide summaries of that literature for division staff.
- Assist in discussions with other federal action agencies to identify potential means of efficiencies in the ESA consultation process, such as establishing programmatic consultations
- As needed, assist other NMFS divisions (most commonly Office of Sustainable Fisheries) in identifying actions that may trigger reinitiation of biological opinions. This may include reviewing fishery or other actions and supporting staff in documenting their analyses of these actions.
- As needed, provide administrative assistance to PRD Grant and Scientific Permit Review Programs by tracking incoming review requests for permits and projects;
- Provide administrative support including providing support for ordering supplies and equipment; organizing, indexing and numbering all relevant documents; answering phones, note taking, arranging meetings, setting up and providing technical support for webinars, and preparing reference documents; and
- Prepare administrative records or FOIA response for actions including compiling, organizing, reviewing, and, as necessary, redacting electronic records
Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications:- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in an environmental science or associated discipline (e.g., biology, ecology, fisheries biology, marine biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, landscape ecology, or restoration ecology).
- 3 years of relevant experience.
- Experience providing biological, economic, or social analyses to support recommendations for natural resource conservation measures.
- Critical thinking and the ability to assess potential impacts to living marine resources.
- Proficient with common databases and office productivity programs, such as Word, Excel, Gmail, Google docs, and Endnote.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to work independently and comply with project deadlines.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others, including a diverse array of federal action agencies.
- Strong professional writing skills and the ability to express both biological and regulatory concepts in plain language
