Essential Fish Habitat Specialist

Duties

• MSA/EFH collaboration and consultation. The Contractor shall: Build and foster strong working relationships with federal agencies and other stakeholders. Provide information and materials in a timely and responsive manner. Conduct reviews of technical assistance requests from federal agencies and other stakeholders, on actions that may affect EFH in the Pacific Islands Region. Coordinate with federal agencies to determine whether EFH consultation is required. For those actions for which consultation is required, work with the federal agency to gather appropriate information with which to properly evaluate the action.
• Build and foster strong working relationships with federal agencies and other stakeholders. Provide information and materials in a timely and responsive manner.
• Conduct reviews of technical assistance requests from federal agencies and other stakeholders, on actions that may affect EFH in the Pacific Islands Region.
• Coordinate with federal agencies to determine whether EFH consultation is required. For those actions for which consultation is required, work with the federal agency to gather appropriate information with which to properly evaluate the action.
• For those actions for which consultation is required, work with the federal agency to gather appropriate information with which to properly evaluate the action.
• Analysis and Assessment Analyze proposed activities by assessing federal actions for potential adverse effects to MUSs and HAPCs. Assess the federal agency’s written response to conservation recommendations by Fisheries, including:
• Analyze proposed activities by assessing federal actions for potential adverse effects to MUSs and HAPCs.
• Assess the federal agency’s written response to conservation recommendations by Fisheries, including:
• i. Any explanation as to the federal agency’s reasons for not following the recommendations; including the scientific justification for any disagreements with Fisheries over the anticipated effects of the proposed action and the measures needed to minimize, mitigate, or offset such effects.
• Writing and Communication. The Contractor shall: Provide a written assessment of the effects of the action on EFH using the best scientifically available information and provide EFH conservation recommendations to a federal action agency for its action that may adversely affect EFH. These assessments and recommendations may be combined with ESA consultation documents on the same activities when appropriate, and the contractor shall also assist in this process. Answer and questions and follow-up on activities with federal agencies once consultations are complete.