Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking Fisheries Management Analysts to provide Data, Scientific Analysis, and Compliance Support. economic analysis support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) in Silver Spring, MD. 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. We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract.
Background
The Office of Sustainable Fisheries (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, and works with federal partners to ensure the safety of seafood sold in the U.S. 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. OSF is one of seven national program offices and reports to the NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator of Regulatory Programs. It employs approximately 75 people (FTE's, contractors, fellows, etc.) primarily in Silver Spring, Maryland; Gloucester, Massachusetts; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Pascagoula, Mississippi. OSF is made up of a directorate, which includes office leadership, and four divisions: the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division, the Domestic Fisheries Division, the Operations and Regulatory Services Division, and the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory.
In April 2025, Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, was issued to strengthen the U.S. fishing industry by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports. Since that time OSF solicited public input on innovative ideas to improve fisheries management, and has received workplans from each of the eight Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division (Atl HMS). NOAA Fisheries received over 700 public comments and about 175 recommendations from the councils and Atl HMS. NOAA Fisheries is now engaged in evaluating public, Atl HMS, and council input. Additional work will be undertaken to develop and implement actions to support the Executive Order. Individuals under this statement of work will be engaged in activities to support this development and implementation.
Tasks
* Support domestic fisheries, the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division, and NMFS Regional Offices in the implementation of the Seafood EO, including but not limited to elimination of inefficient regulations and and the development of fishery management actions to advance the purposes of the EO.
* Develop and write actions necessary to implement the management measures needed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act and the Seafood EO.
* Provide support to enable rapid implementation of management measures needed under the EO 14276.
* Draft content of Fishery Management Plans (FMPs).
* Provide research and analysis of FMP and other fishery management action requirements and capabilities.
* Develop alternatives, recommendations, presentations, and support management initiatives.
* Evaluate studies and analyses, and, with input from Regional Offices or Atl HMS, ensure fishery management actions are responsive to responses on key issues and concerns and advance the implementation of the Seafood EO.
* Evaluate and provide support for environmental analyses such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for management actions for which NOAA is responsible and include them in fisheries management actions.
* Assist in the development, writing, review process, and tracking of fisheries management actions in support of NMFS Regional Offices, and Atlantic HMS efforts to implement the Seafood EO and other requests from NOAA and NMFS leadership in accordance with established procedures and requirements, including clearly communicating with regional regulatory specialists and fisheries biologists, and communicating with regional submitters and as necessary to ensure that regulatory packages meet their intended objectives and documented standards.
* Analyze and provide environmental assessments, and scientific analysis, technical writing/editing, internal communication and outreach with the intention of meeting the fishery management action development needs of the NMFS Regional Office and Atl HMS
* Process incoming requests in accordance with established fisheries management action processing procedures, including completion of completeness checklist and electronic and paper filing of documents.
* Clearly communicate with regional staff submitters to ensure that fisheries management actions meet the needs of the Regional Offices/Atl HMS and documented standards.
* Assist in developing the Administrative Record for each regulatory action upon completion of its review and clearance.
* Assist with the issuance of permits, as requested from NMFS Regional Offices and Atl HMS.
* Prepare documents for Regional Office, Atl HMS, and/or OSF review.
* Clearly communicate with regional regulatory specialists and and other regional/Atl HMS staff, and headquarters reviewers as necessary to ensure that regulatory packages meet documented standards and the needs of the Regions/Atl HMS.
* Attend and/or monitor relevant Regional Fishery Management Council meetings and/or associated technical committees, advisory panels, and workgroups.
Start Date: Anticipated to begin July 1st, 2026; Contingent upon award of contract
Location: Remote / Telework, supporting the office in Silver Spring, MD.
Travel: Limited travel is required to attend meetings, trainings, coordinate research, and attend workshops.
Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $40.00 - $55.00 per hour.
Requirements
Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:
* PhD or Master's with 7+ years of experience in fisheries related technical management.
* Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business or mission strategies.
* Direct experience with Federal fisheries management actions, including drafting fishery management plans (FMPs) and regulatory amendments, and experience supporting fishery management action writing and analyses
* Evidence of authoring technical documents, including but not limited to white papers, scientific publications, environment impact statements, etc.
* Experience navigating Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) requirements, including fisheries management plans, plan amendments and other associated actions or Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations.
* Proven ability to communicate complex regulatory, scientific, or other data with agency personnel across the organization at multiple staff levels with differing program objectives.
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://jobs.schmidtmarine.org/companies/ocean-associates/jobs/77334819-fisheries-management-analyst-subject-matter-expert#content
HOW TO APPLY:
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).