ESA And NEPA Biologist at Lynker Technologies in Portland, Oregon

Lynker Corporation is expecting the need to hire two ESA and NEPA Biologists to support a contract with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region (WCR) Oregon-Washington Coastal Office (OWCO) and Interior Columbia Basin Office (ICBO). These are full-time, remote positions that are anticipated to begin on July 1, 2024. Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award.

The NMFS WCR OWCO and ICBO provide interagency consultation to other federal agencies pursuant to the authorities of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Federal agencies submit their project proposals which may affect NMFS trust species and critical habitats to NMFS for scientific, biological, and technical assistance in identifying effects and conservation measures. Through these Federal agencies, the NMFS WCR 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 and ICBO have a significant ESA section 7 and MSA interagency consultation workload. The offices also implement ESA recovery plans, perform National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) actions, provide technical support for species status reviews, and evaluate proposals for various grant programs to promote conservation of NMFS trust resources and habitats. Contract support is needed to develop ESA section 7 and MSA Essential Fish Habitat consultations, implement NEPA, and compose regulatory documents according to National and Regional procedures, prepare consultation documentation adhering to Regional standards and quality control guidelines, and provide technical expertise related to evaluation of environmental impacts from various types of construction and maintenance activities.

The objective of the EPA and NEPA Biologist positions is to provide program and biological support to the above projects and in conducting interagency consultations under ESA section 7(a)(2), MMPA section 101(a)(5)(D), MSA section 104-297, and NEPA implementation including document preparation activities in the Washington (North Puget Sound, Central Puget Sound, and Washington Coast/Lower Columbia Branches); some work could also occur for western Oregon for the OWCO and in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and Idaho for the ICBO.

Key tasks of the EPA and NEPA Biologists will include the following:

• Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information for the purpose of determining environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats; evaluate the proposed project effects of human activities, including land, water, and fishery management activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.
• Write combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses, including programmatic biological opinions and responses, to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, whales, sea stars.
• Write combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses, including programmatic letters and responses, to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, whales, sea stars.
• Review biological assessments and/or consultation initiation packages from action agencies for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction and provide feedback and technical support to action agencies. Provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in response to inquiries. Examples of feedback are sufficiency, accuracy, or completeness; requests for further information for consultation purposes; recommendation of conservation measures, compliance with technical design standards. Feedback shall occur through written or oral communications and in group meetings.
• Review applications from action agencies to enroll in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails to enroll applications into existing programmatic consultations.
• Prepare environmental documentation pursuant to NEPA.
• Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers for reviews of proposed designs.
• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Review habitat restoration proposals to implement Recovery Plans.
• Coordinate with Project Officer or Geographic Branch Chief on assignments and work products.
• Follow recommendations from agency staff on legal, regulatory, or technical sufficiency and compliance.
• Although these positions might require opportunities to conduct field site visits and participate in interagency meetings in western Washington or western Oregon, this position mainly consists of office duties.

Deliverables for the EPA and NEPA Biologists will include the following:

• Written biological opinions, letters of concurrence, MSA responses, and NEPA documentation that follow WCR and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, technical sufficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Documentation for biological opinions, letters of concurrence, MSA responses, NEPA, and adherence to WCR and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Written and oral comments and pre-consultation technical assistance on biological assessments or inquiries presented to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in coordination with Project Officer or Geographic Branch Chief.
• Written documentation of enrolled applications into existing programmatic consultations following WCR and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.
• Professional communications with NMFS fish passage engineers.
• Attendance at and professional contributions to meeting agendas with action agencies, applicants, or their representatives and active participation and communication.
• Attendance at and professional contributions to regional ESA, MSA, and NEPA trainings and all Division and Branch meetings and workshops.
• Technical comments on proposed habitat restoration proposals.
• Deliver periodic informational presentations and technical assistance on use of programmatic Biological Opinions with which the employee is involved.
• Occasional site visits to proposed project locations.
• Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), recommendations, if applicable

The EPA and NEPA Biologists selected should meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years' experience, or Master's degree, from an accredited college or university in aquatic biology or related field of study with two (2) years of experience relating to the specific task order
• Knowledge of salmonid general life cycles and habitat requirements
• Highly proficient English language composition and editing skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work with diverse interagency teams
• Skill in most common software applications, including MS Office and Google Workplace
• Valid state driver's license

The ideal EPA and NEPA Biologists will also have the following qualifications:

• Expert knowledge of Pacific Northwest salmonid specific life histories and geographic distributions
• Experience in aquatic habitat conservation
• Skill in fish habitat restoration methods
• Implementation of ESA section 7 regulations and document preparation or experience writing Federal regulatory documents adhering to agency guidance including NEPA and MSA
• Experience working with tribal governments

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.