Gear Liaison

NOTE: We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract.

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to work with the fishing industry and other organizations to create and test gear modifications on commercial fishing vessels, effectively communicate operational aspects of the fishing gear and assist in the evaluation of gear testing, provide outreach to assist fishermen in implementing protected species gear modifications. 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.

Background

The Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) administers NOAA's programs in the Northeastern United States to manage living marine resources for optimum use. It represents the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries with other Federal, state, and private conservation agencies; commercial and recreational fishing industries and interests; consumers; other constituents; and the general public for the eastern coastal states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and the inland western states of Vermont, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. It conducts multi-disciplinary research programs to provide scientific and technical information necessary to manage living marine resources and to support the information requirements and decision-making processes of Regional Fishery Management Councils.

GARFO is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing programs for fishery management, resource allocations, and habitat and protected species (endangered and threatened species and marine mammals) conservation. GARFO administers grants and cooperative agreement programs; analyzes trade and economic conditions and related opportunities and impacts associated with fishery management activities; implements programs to maintain robust habitats and stocks of living marine resources; coordinates state/Federal cooperative programs with and among the states, fishery management councils, marine fisheries commissions, and other Federal agencies; and provides administrative and technical support to Regional Fishery Management Councils. GARFO houses the following programs: Sustainable Fisheries; Habitat Conservation and Ecosystem Services; Protected Resources; Analysis and Program Support; Fisheries Data; General Counsel; Habitat Restoration; Law Enforcement; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Operations and Budget; and Communications.

The NMFS GARFO Protected Resources Division (PRD) is responsible for implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) covering the geographic range from Maine to Virginia. Protected species within this range include marine mammals, sea turtles, Atlantic salmon, Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. Occasionally, GARFO PRD also supports work in different regions nationally.

Tasks

• Participate in field studies, data analysis, and evaluation of potential solutions on how to mitigate sea turtle and marine mammal bycatch in fishing gear.


• Participate with the regional and science center gear team in projects directed at reducing large whale sea turtle (trawl, gillnet, traps/pots) and other protected species bycatch in fixed gear (trap/pots and gillnets) fisheries in Northwest Atlantic waters.


• Participate in field studies, data analysis, and evaluations of projects directed at mitigating sea turtle and other protected species bycatch in bottom trawl gear; such as evaluating Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) testing as determined by the GARFO, with input from the NEFSC and Southeastern Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC).


• Support compilation and evaluation of project results.


• Provide regular outreach including dockside demonstrations of appropriate gear installation.


• Support Law Enforcement inspection and compliance monitoring.


• Support entanglement gear analysis in collaboration with the Region and Center gear team and gear warehouse curation and record keeping.

Start Date: September 1st, 2026 (contingent upon award of contract)

Location: Remote

Travel: Travel is anticipated. Overtime may be required for emergency stranding and entanglement events or to allow for travel to multi-day in-person meetings and events.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $30.00 - $55.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelors or Master’s degree and three (3) years of experience in environmental science or associated discipline (e.g., biology, ecology, fisheries biology, marine biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, landscape ecology, or restoration ecology). A relevant degree may be substituted by two additional years of relevant experience.


• Experience conducting field studies, data analysis, and evaluation of potential solutions on how to mitigate sea turtle and marine mammal bycatch in fishing gear.


• Experience working with fishing gear including but not limited to: trawl, gillnet, traps/pots.


• Experienced in scientific and report writing.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Preferred: Experience supporting entanglement gear analysis.

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).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA.

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.