VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
PDF: Senior Scientist
Term: Full-time permanent, with 1 year probation and 2-year review,
Continuation based on funding and performance
Deadline for application submittal is December 22, 2024
A. Background The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction. The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the US Exclusive Economic Zone waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawaii.
The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meet at a minimum of four times a year to conduct its business. Guidelines include the MSA, WPRFMC statement of Organization Practices and Procedures, 50 CFR 601 regulations, Council program plan, fishery ecosystem plan objectives and guidelines, and other related policies and agreements. The Council operation is supported by program and administrative staff headed by an Executive Director. The Senior Scientist is established to assist the Executive Director in providing scientific fishery and analytical expertise related to regulatory management actions as taken under the MSA to support healthy and sustainable fisheries in the Western Pacific Region.
B. Supervisory Factors The Senior Scientist works under the general supervision of the Executive Director, but exercises wide latitude and judgment within assigned duties. The Senior Scientist oversees and supervises the Marine Ecosystem Scientist and Pelagic Fisheries Ecosystem Scientist.
C. Responsibilities The Senior Scientist will work closely with the Executive Director to:
- Coordinate development and monitoring of fishery ecosystem plans, including the preparation of plans, amendments, NEPA documents, draft regulations, etc., as assigned.
- Provide necessary technical guidance and assistance to Plan Teams to ensure that they follow established time schedules, conform to appropriate guidelines, and prepare technically adequate fishery ecosystem plans.
- Be responsible for final staff revisions to fishery ecosystem plans, amendments and associated documents before they are forwarded to the Secretary of Commerce.
- Advise Executive Director on technical matters relating to plan development, alerts Executive Director on controversial or significant matters bearing on development of management plans, and develops options and recommendations for resolving those issues.
- Act as principal staff advisor to the Plan Team and Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee and works to ensure that staff provide analysis and reports to support these advisory bodies.
- Responsible for overseeing insular and pelagic program staff assignments for collecting and analyzing biological, social and economic information used to incorporate into fishery management plan amendment and documents.
- Prepare correspondence on Council issues, as assigned, and edits staff documents and correspondence to ensure technical subject matter accuracy.
- Research complex fishery science and management issues requiring legal and technical knowledge to understand management implications as considered through MSA requirements.
- Prepare briefing documents, presentations and other material supporting Council decision making, as assigned.
- Respond to written and oral inquiries from fishery participants, government agencies, and the general public concerning issues assigned by the Executive Director.
- Work involves identification of fisheries problems, collection and analysis of related information, development of background documents and alternative management recommendations aimed at diverse audiences, carrying out directives from the Council and Executive Director, supervision of professional and administrative staff, and assistance to fishermen and fishery agencies in the Pacific.
- Develop and maintain contacts with the domestic and international fishing industries and organizations, various state/territorial and federal agencies, institutions, NGOs, and the general public to exchange and coordinate information, ideas and concepts, and to assist in identifying, defining and solving problems as they relate to the Council and related organizations, advisory bodies and users.
Required Qualifications
- Graduate degree (Ph.D., M.S. or equivalent) and training in fishery science, fishery management, or a closely related field.
- At least five years of broad experience and working knowledge in fisheries science and management and working with the fishing industry.
- Ability to maintain a good working relationship with members of industry, state and federal agencies, fishery management organizations and institutions.
- Knowledge of current fisheries science, research, data collection and management, US Pacific islands cultures, state/territorial and federal fishery agencies, marine conservation, management and environmental laws and use of technology in today’s fisheries.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff, Council Members, institution and agency fishery scientists, fishery administrators and the fishing community.
- Ability to plan, organize and successfully complete work in situations that require coordination and management of numerous diverse demands and tasks, attention to detail and deliver high quality products under short timelines.
- Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communications and standard personal computer software.
- Able to travel to domestic and international meetings and to visit fishing facilities and vessels when necessary.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge/experience with federal fishery management system, the MSA, NEPA, ESA and other applicable laws and Executive Orders.
- Work/study experience with island communities and fisheries of the Western Pacific region
- Work/study experience working with local, federal and/or international fishery management agencies/organizations.