Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan Support

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking to hire an ESA and NEPA Hatchery Biologist to support a contract with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region (WCR) Engineering & Physical Sciences Branch (EPSB). This is a full-time, primarily remote position that is anticipated to begin on May 1, 2025. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder. *

There are approximately 350 individual hatchery programs producing salmon and steelhead in the West Coast Region, including the Columbia River basin, Puget Sound, and along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. The hatchery programs are largely implemented to provide adult fish for harvest in tribal and state fisheries as mitigation for lost natural-origin salmonid production in the region. A substantial number of the hatchery programs are also implemented for conservation purposes, to preserve and recover salmon and steelhead populations that are at risk of extirpation.

There are several Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed anadromous salmonid populations under NMFS’ regulatory purview that may be affected by operation of these hatchery programs. As such, each hatchery program has a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) that describes how the hatchery program is operated. NMFS reviews the HGMPs under the ESA to ensure their effects do not jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of listed salmon and steelhead. The NMFS review and determination processes require completion of several effects evaluation and determination documents, and sometimes includes National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for effects to ESA-listed species under their jurisdiction (e.g., bull trout).

NMFS lacks sufficient staff needed to perform scientific writing and expert analyses required to complete ESA and NEPA effects evaluation and determination documents for the many HGMPs submitted by the states and Tribes. Because of the numerous hatchery programs and HGMPs, NMFS requires support to assist in reviewing the plans, determining effects, and completing required documentation.

Responsibilities

Tasks

The selected candidate will perform the following key tasks:

• Analyze biological effects in proposed HGMPs (e.g., genetic and ecological effects).
• Draft sections of ESA documents that evaluate the effects of HGMPs and associated fisheries on ESA-listed species under NMFS jurisdiction.
• Draft sections of NEPA documents for HGMPs.
• Respond to comments on the NEPA documents provided during public comment periods.
• Address comments received during internal review or by the co-managers on both NEPA and ESA documents.
• Work with the NMFS staff to draft and complete NEPA and ESA effects evaluation and determination documents for regional submitted HGMPs, bundled by watershed or type of hatchery program.
• Edit draft versions of NEPA sections prepared by others to prepare them for review within the West Coast Region, the hatchery co-managers, and the general public.
• Review reports submitted by the hatchery managers to ensure compliance and/or consistency with existing ESA authorizations.

Deliverables

• Environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact assessment (EIS) documents that are organized logically, flow smoothly, are free of errors, are concise, and support the central point.
• Sections of ESA documents that are organized logically, flow smoothly, are free of errors, are concise, and support the central point.
• Revised versions of NEPA and ESA documents that address internal, co-manager, and the general public concern. In addition, a “response to comments” may need to be prepared based on comments received on the draft NEPA document.
• Revised versions of NEPA and ESA documents that address internal, co-manager, and the general public concern. In addition, a “response to comments” will need to be prepared based on public comments received on the draft NEPA document.
• 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university in the biological sciences.
• Fourteen (14) years of relevant work experience.
• Six (6) years of work experience with salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and assessing their effects on natural-origin fish populations.
• Experience drafting EAs and EISs consistent with NEPA, or drafting Biological Opinions consistent with the ESA.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office, etc.).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Place of Performance

The selected candidate for this position will work up to 40 hours per week primarily offsite. When necessary for collaboration with NMFS staff, on-site access will occur primarily at NMFS offices located in Lacey or Seattle, WA.

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 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.

* This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.