Fishery Disaster Assistance

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide assistance in the intake, review, and finalization of fishery disaster declaration requests to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).   OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.  

Background

The Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) contains provision (Section 312(a)) that allows requests from states, tribes, and other government entities to request the Secretary of Commerce to declare a fishery disaster exists, which makes these entities eligible for congressional funding to help ameliorate the impact of the disaster. Under these provisions, the Department of Commerce, working through NOAA Fisheries, is required to evaluate each fishery disaster and make a determination if a disaster exists. Evaluation is based primarily on data submitted by the requesting state or tribe and a request must meet specific requirements under the MSA to receive a determination that a fishery disaster exists. For example, there must be commercial fishery economic impacts and declines in fishery access or biomass resulting from specific allowable causes due to the fishery disaster event.  Each Region of NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the initial evaluation of any fishery disaster requests received from their region and the region also serves as the main point of contact for the requesting entity. All evaluations must follow the new requirements of the amended section 312(a) of the MSA. The lead staff person is required to review the submitted requests for completeness, contact the requestors to resolve any information deficiencies, and once complete information is received, finish the evaluation by the timelines in the MSA.   Once the evaluation is complete, the lead staff person is responsible for writing and submitting a formal decision memo for review and clearance at the region and by headquarters staff for a decision by the Secretary of Commerce.

Tasks 

Key tasks include the following:

• Provide program management support to the Regional Fishery Disaster Assistance Lead (Lead).
• Upon receipt of a request from Headquarters staff or the Lead, review the request and contact any requesting entity staff leads identified in the request and provide regional contact information to such staff.
• During the time between initial receipt of a request and the final decision and funding of the request, serve as the point of contact and answer any questions from the requestors; if the employee cannot answer a specific question, they will contact the Lead for further assistance.
• Review the request and compare the information provided with the required information listed in MSA section 312(a). If any required information is missing or incomplete, the employee shall then notify the requestor’s staff contact about the missing/incomplete information and request the missing/incomplete information be provided or updated, as appropriate. The employee shall inform the Lead via email of any such deficiencies.
• Upon receipt of a complete package of information from the requesting entity, evaluate the request based on the methodology contained in the Policy Guidance from the Headquarters office. The employee shall notify the Lead when commencing review of a complete package.
• Once the evaluation is complete, draft a decision memo using agreed upon templates for initial review by the Lead, and then make any edits requested by the Lead.
• Once a final Memo is drafted, submit the Memo through the appropriate clearance process with Headquarters and the Region; the employee shall be the initial point of contact for any questions from staff during the clearance process, working with the Lead as appropriate.

Start Date: As soon as possible. 

Location: This position is remote / telework.

Travel: Travel is not anticipated. 

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, $43.00 - $49.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years’ experience, or Master’s degree, from an accredited college or university in a related field of study with two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Program planning and management in a team environment.
• Review and evaluation of basic quantitative data, such as population size data, and basic economic data.
• Policy analysis and the ability to evaluate specific data and information against required standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Established skills with spreadsheets and word processing software.
• Ability to follow established procedures to accomplish specific tasks.
• Current MS Office skills
• Current Google Office Suite Skills
• Skills with online seminar software such as Google, Webex

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.  
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).  

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check.  Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify. 

Note:  If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.