Azura is seeking an organized Fishery Management Specialist to support the NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF). OSF supports consideration and resolution of national domestic policy issues, provides support to the regional fishery management councils (councils), manages fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS), and works with federal partners to ensure the safety of seafood sold in the United States. OSF is a headquarters office and works closely with the five NOAA Fisheries regional offices and six science centers and in partnership with the councils, interstate marine fishery commissions, and states to ensure U.S. fisheries are sustainably managed. OSF also engages the fishing industry (both commercial and recreational) seafood dealers, environmental groups, other federal agencies, and academia to ensure sustainable fisheries and sustainable economies and healthy and nutritious shellfish and finfish.

Program Description - The Atlantic HMS Management Division is involved with several projects contributing towards the agency’s efforts to address climate change in U.S. fisheries. These include, but are not limited to, implementation of the NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy, the Atlantic HMS ecosystem-based fishery management plan (EBFM), the NOAA Fisheries Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) program, the Climate, Ecosystem and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI), and participation in regional initiatives or other national policies or procedures concerning EBFM and climate change. This position will focus on the "HMS Indicators Project," which aims to develop and automate ecosystem-based indicators to monitor managed resources, identify trends, and establish triggers for management action in a changing environment. These indicators will include biological, physical, and socioeconomic data to inform management actions and science products. The current suite of indicator portals and ecosystem products reliant on indicators generally do not include or poorly represent Atlantic HMS and/or have not been developed with HMS management needs in mind.

The role will involve synthesizing high-resolution downscaled climate models, assisting with scenario planning, ecosystem status reports, and developing tools for decision-making. The position will also work with regional experts to identify ecosystem-level reference points and ensure that CEFI climate products meet management needs. The models would also be incorporated into analyses supporting EFH (Essential Fish Habitat) consultations, Biological Opinions, spatial management, protected species management, habitat conservation, restoration work, and analysis of site suitability for various development projects (e.g., aquaculture, wind energy) or other ocean uses. The successful candidate would serve as a liaison between offices and across FMCs, to ensure that outcomes from regional climate modeling and ecosystem research activities are leveraged nationally and for Atlantic HMS fisheries. At the end of 3 years, they will have helped implement fisheries management policies and regulations that have improved the climate resilience of our Atlantic HMS fisheries and advanced NMFS EBFM policy.

Having high attention to detail and the ability to manage short project timelines are critical skills for this position. Potential candidates must also possess the curiosity and ability to find solutions and resolve issues based on available resources and also have strong client and team communication skills. Applicants must be able to operate independently, manage their own work schedule, and dedicate blocks of time for uninterrupted focus.

Place and Period of Performance

Work is anticipated to be conducted remotely and is full-time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday) with an expected duration of three years. This position will require that most work be conducted during Eastern Standard Time working hours. During workdays, candidates must be able to respond to all communications within 24 hours and conduct calls and meetings as necessary during normal business hours. Some travel to in-person meetings may be required (3+ trips/year).

Benefits

• Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance and life and disability insurance. You will be eligible for a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match and will receive paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.

Duties

The employee will perform a variety of tasks related to project management support. Specific tasks are expected to include the following:

• Assist with scoping process for HMS Indicators project.
• Assist HMS IT contractor with HMS Indicators project (may include coding, beta testing, data queries, data management, building data portals, documentation, and audits, among other tasks).
• Participate in cross-region collaboration on new downscaled climate and ecosystem modeling efforts.
• Explore options for identifying appropriate ecosystem level reference points.
• Support ongoing work to ensure CEFI climate products meet management needs.
• Support scenario planning where appropriate.
• Attend HMS indicators project team meetings.
• Assist in HMS SAFE (Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation) report automation (especially as pertains to the ecosystem services chapter).
• Provide ongoing CEFI and other climate/EBFM support.
• Perform other tasks as needed and assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Experience working collaboratively in an online team to ensure proper communication regarding deadlines and project directives
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work under tight deadlines and scheduled action dates
• Strong organizational, analytical, written, and verbal skills
• Proficiency in working with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), and Google Suite
• Candidate must be able to obtain a Public Trust Clearance which requires passing a thorough background check
• Eligibility to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Specialized advanced studies, degrees, or applicable work experience with Atlantic Highly Migratory Species, fisheries management, and ecosystem-level research, modeling, and/or management
• Familiarity with climate change, climate indicators, and related management issues, especially as it pertains to the marine environment

Azura Consulting LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply for this position.

Azura Consulting LLC is an economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business specializing in protected species conservation, management, and research.