Policy Program Manager Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

Position OverviewThe Program Analyst will provide professional support services to the NOAA Fisheries Office of Policy, with primary emphasis on the Policy & Administration (P&A) Team. The P&A Team manages the NOAA Fisheries Policy Directive System and facilitates corporate-level discussion and decision-making through the NOAA Fisheries Leadership Council.This is high-tempo, mission-critical work that cuts across headquarters program offices, regional offices, science centers, NOAA line offices, and other federal agencies. The right candidate is sharp, self-directed, and comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity in a fast-paced federal environment. Key ResponsibilitiesAgency Priority & Executive Order Implementation (30–40%)Support implementation of Administration and Agency priorities set out in Executive Orders, legislation, strategic plans, and NOAA Fisheries directivesSupport E.O. 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, including pilot initiatives focused on U.S. seafood sustainability, industry resiliency, and sector innovationConduct literature reviews, industry surveys, and analytical work to develop market analysis recommendations supporting economic resilience and seafood sector developmentDocument accomplishments and prepare draft annual reports and related reporting products for the Seafood StrategyPolicy Directive System & Policy/Procedure Development (10%)Support revisions, updates, and creation of NOAA Fisheries policies and procedures, including products under the NOAA Fisheries Policy Directive SystemDraft, review, revise, coordinate, and track agency policy documents with subject matter experts, leadership, and external stakeholders as directedDevelop and maintain tracking tools: action item trackers, comment matrices, decision-support summaries, policy review schedules, and status reportsLeadership Council & Governance Support (10–25%)Support NOAA Fisheries Leadership Council activities that facilitate corporate-level decision-making by senior leadershipPlan and execute large multi-day meetings, monthly team meetings, and internal governance meetings-including agendas, pre-reads, logistics, meeting notes, and action item trackingCoordinate with headquarters, regional offices, science centers, and program offices to ensure timely information sharing and follow-through on assigned actionsPolicy & Regulatory AnalysisAnalyze statutes, regulations, policies, draft legislation, Executive Orders, and NOAA Fisheries program materials; provide written analysis, options, and recommendationsDraft policy memoranda, issue papers, briefing materials, reports, presentation materials, and decision-support summaries on policy and regulatory mattersSynthesize technical, policy, legal, and programmatic input into clear written products ready for Government reviewNEPA Policy Implementation Support (up to 5%)Support implementation of new or revised NEPA policies and procedures as assignedSupport collaboration, information sharing, and training-related materials for NEPA compliance, consistent with Government directionDevelop summaries, analyses, trackers, and support materials related to NEPA policy implementationEnergy & Infrastructure Permitting Support (up to 10%)Support Office of Policy coordination on permitting of infrastructure and energy projectsAssist with analyses, coordination materials, tracking tools, and written products associated with permitting streamlining efforts involving NOAA Fisheries Headquarters, regional offices, science centers, other NOAA line offices, and other Government agenciesSupport timely document review and coordination for infrastructure and energy project-related materials within the scope of the task orderReview & Comment SupportReview draft documents and provide timely, well-supported written comments based on policy analysisCoordinate comment consolidation across Office of Policy staff and NOAA Fisheries partners as directedUse Government-directed formats such as tracked changes, comment matrices, summary tables, or annotated draftsCommunications & Outreach SupportAssist with communications projects: newsletters, print products, weekly headlines, rollout plans, and outreach effortsPrepare audience-appropriate materials consistent with NOAA Fisheries messaging and Government directionSupport coordination, planning, and implementation of outreach activities, including authorized travel when requiredAdministrative & Records Management (15–20%)Perform records management, file organization, tracker maintenance, scheduling support, and other administrative tasks as assignedProvide monthly progress reports summarizing accomplishments, upcoming work, issues/risks, and recommendationsAttend kick-off and recurring status meetings as directed by the Task Order Monitor Deliverable ExpectationsThe position carries a high-volume writing and review requirement. Each Program Analyst is expected to:Draft 2–4 documents or document sections per week on average (policy memos, issue papers, briefing memos, decision-support summaries, etc.)Provide written review comments on 2–4 draft documents per week prepared by othersSupport 2–3 large multi-day meetings per year and monthly team meetings on a recurring basisProduce 1–2 briefings, presentations, or short reports per monthDeliver 2–4 communications products per monthSubmit a monthly progress report by the 5th business day of the following monthAll work products must be accurate, professionally written, properly formatted, and require no more than minor edits upon Government review. The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is 95% on-time delivery with zero critical errors and no more than 10% requiring major rework. Required QualificationsAt minimum, the proposed Program Analyst must demonstrate:Knowledge of and/or interest in coastal or marine resource management and policy issuesStrong written and oral communication skills and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, professional productsExperience working with federal agency policies and regulations applicable to marine resources management in state or federal watersKnowledge of one or more of the following statutes: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and/or Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, flexibility, and comfort working in an environment with shifting priorities and uncertaintyGrowth mindset and desire to learn in a dynamic, mission-driven environment Preferred QualificationsDirect experience supporting NOAA, NMFS, or a similar federal marine resource policy environmentExperience implementing Executive Orders or agency-priority initiatives in a federal settingDemonstrated experience with policy directive or procedure development in a federal agencyBackground in Leadership Council or formal governance support, including agenda setting and meeting facilitationHigh-volume drafting and editing experience with policy-level written products on tight deadlinesNOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship alumnus/alumna (fellowship year and host office experience will be considered as a strength where directly relevant to this requirement) Work Environment & LogisticsWork LocationNMFS Headquarters, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (primarily onsite)HoursNormal business hours (Eastern), 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; up to 40 hrs/weekTeleworkOccasional telework permitted with advance notice and Government concurrenceTravelOccasional authorized travel to conferences, NOAA regional offices, science centers, or partner offices (NTE $6,000/year)Government EquipmentGovernment-furnished laptop or desktop computer and associated IT support provided; all work performed on Government-approved systemsSecurityPublic Trust designation required; background investigation required prior to start; CAC/PIV credentials as applicable About the Office of PolicyThe NOAA Fisheries Office of Policy coordinates and implements Agency priorities across a complex web of headquarters programs, regional offices, science centers, and line offices. Its work spans energy development, seafood sector resilience, Executive Order implementation, and cross-cutting regulatory and policy analysis. The Office operates with a collaborative, diplomatic, and proactive culture-valuing transparency, strategic thinking, and agility in responding to emerging priorities.The P&A Team specifically manages the NOAA Fisheries Policy Directive System and facilitates corporate-level governance through the NOAA Fisheries Leadership Council.