Whale Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the creation and delivery of improved operational weather forecasts. As part of our ongoing growth and expansion, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Washington Aquaculture Support to join our growing team. This role is contingent upon contract award, and pricing may be subject to change based on final bid. Anticipated start date is September 30, 2026.

Responsibilities:

Your role would be to support the Oregon Washington Coastal office (OWCO) of the National Marine Fisheries Service in providing ESA section 7 and MSA consultations developed according to Regional procedures, preparation of consultation documentation adhering to Regional standards, and technical expertise primarily related to aquaculture activities in OWCO, but also for additional activities as needed.

Key tasks include:

• Review, gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and technical information for the purpose of determining environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats; evaluate the proposed project effects of human activities on fishery resources, protected species, and habitat.

• Write combined ESA Biological Opinions and MSA responses to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, rockfish, whales, sea stars, other listed-species.

• Write combined ESA Letters of Concurrence and MSA responses to action agencies related to their Biological Assessments for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction, i.e., salmon, steelhead, rockfish, whales, sea stars, other listed-species.

• Review biological assessments, permit applications, and/or consultation initiation packages from action agencies for listed species, designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat under NMFS jurisdiction and provide feedback and technical support to action agencies.

• Provide pre-consultation technical assistance to action agencies, applicants, or their representatives in response to inquiries. Examples of feedback are sufficiency, accuracy, or completeness; requests for further information for consultation purposes; recommendation of conservation measures, compliance with technical design standards. Feedback shall occur through written or oral communications and in group meetings.

• Review applications from action agencies to enroll in existing programmatic consultations and draft letters or emails to enroll applications into existing programmatic consultations.

• Prepare environmental documentation pursuant to NEPA.

• Prepare draft incidental take permits and other necessary documentation for ESA section 10 activities.

• Coordinate with NMFS fish passage engineers for reviews of proposed designs.

• Prepare appropriate documentation for each consultation and follow West Coast Region and OWCO protocols for quality assurance, electronic filing, and consultation tracking.

• Review habitat restoration proposals to implement Recovery Plans.

• Coordinate with Project Officer or Geographic Branch Manager on assignments and work products.

• Follow recommendations from agency staff on legal, regulatory, or technical sufficiency and compliance.

• Develop reasonable schedules and meet timelines and completion dates.

Travel:

• Occasional site visits to proposed project locations.

• Attendance at regional shellfish growers meetings for partner, applicant, or action agency representative communication and engagement to accomplish key tasks including pre-consultation technical assistance; Washington Sea Grant Conference for Shellfish Growers; Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association Annual Conference.

Although this contractor position might involve opportunities to conduct field site visits, this position mainly consists of office duties

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years' experience, or Master's degree, from an accredited college or university in aquatic biology or related field of study with two (2) years of experience relating to the specific task order

• Knowledge of salmonid general life cycles and habitat requirements

• Experience with, or knowledge of, shellfish, finfish and seaweed aquaculture

• Highly proficient English language composition and editing skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Working with diverse interagency teams

• Program planning and management in a team environment

• Developing performance metrics and milestones

• Skill in most common software applications, to include MS Office and Google Workplace

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Implementation of ESA section 7 and section 10 regulations and document preparation or experience writing Federal regulatory documents adhering to agency guidance

• Experience assessing the impacts of human activities on marine, estuarine, or anadromous species and their habitats as part of a regulatory program

• Experience working with tribal governments

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned 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.

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.

 Fraud Alert: Recruitment Scam Warning: Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.