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Facilitator - PRD, Nisqually River Pinniped Task Force
Ocean Associates
Remote
USD 30-55 / hour
Posted on Apr 1, 2026
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 provide Facilitation Services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region. 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. We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract
Background
The commissioning of a Nisqually River Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) is required by subsection 120(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as part of the process when considering an application from an eligible state government requesting to lethally remove those sea lions that are having a significant negative impact on at-risk populations of salmon and steelhead. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires a professional, impartial facilitation team to help manage the Task Force due to the controversial nature of the subject and the discussions. The MMPA requires that the Task Force be convened to review the application, review the public comments on the application, and to provide NMFS with a recommendation to either approve or deny an application requesting authority for lethal removal of sea lions.
In anticipation of an application from the state of Washington, NMFS is preparing to establish and convene a Task Force in 2027 to evaluate the application and expects these session meetings to be limited to no more than three days and to be held off-site. NMFS requires contractor support to oversee and manage Public Meetings and Deliberations of the Task Force and provide NMFS with a Task Force report and Task Force recommendations on the subject application.
Specifically, the WCR requires services of an independent facilitator who will: advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force; be responsible for renting the facility for the Task Force meeting, to include all reimbursable costs associated with rental, equipment and supplies; assess the needs of Task Force members in advance of the session via one-on-one telephone calls; manage and facilitate the participation of Task Force members during their deliberations and discussions; work with Task Force members using facilitation and mediation techniques to sort through polarized views; document task force deliberations; professionally manage public involvement in the Task Force meetings; and write a detailed report that captures the final agreements and recommendations of the Task Force.
Tasks
Key tasks include the following:
Task 1: Description—Preparation for Task Force Meetings
- Plan approach to Task Force meetings with NMFS
- Review preparatory information/materials w/NMFS
- Prepare draft agenda and prepare supporting materials for Task Force meetings
- Pre-meeting calls with Task Force members
- Reserve and purchase meeting space and equipment rental for up to (55) participants
- Project management and meeting logistics
Task 2: Description— Facilitate and Document Discussion
- Facilitate meetings/discussions
- Document meeting/discussion
Task 3: Description— Report of Task Force Deliberations
- Prepare meeting/discussion summary
- Prepare draft report and manage iterative process with Task Force
- Provide NMFS with draft report and Task Force recommendations for review and approval
- Revise draft report
- Provide NMFS with a final report and Task Force recommendation
Additional Task Breakout Grouped By Phases
Task 1 Prepare for Session
- Advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force: pre-meeting scoping, communicating and coordinating with NMFS and providing follow-up and action items, approaches, agenda and supporting materials (Senior Consultant)
- Advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force: pre-meeting scoping, communicating and coordinating with NMFS and providing follow-up and action items, approaches, agenda and supporting materials (Consultant)
- Conduct interviews with Task Force (Senior Consultant)
- Assist with Task Force interviews and document sessions (Consultant)
- Project management/Meeting logistics (Senior Consultant)
- Project management/Meeting logistics (Consultant)
Task 2- Facilitate Session
- Meeting logistics and facilitation (Senior Consultant)
- Assist with meeting logistics and facilitation (Consultant)
- Document Session (Consultant)
Task 3- Reports
- Draft reports and iterative process management (Consultant)
- Refine final report (Senior Consultant)
Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract.
Location: Remote / Telework
Travel: The consultant(s) will need to travel to Olympia, WA for multiple (4) day and (3) night trips in 2027 to prepare for and facilitate the Task Force meeting.
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:
- The Professional Facilitator shall have demonstrated as a lead facilitator and mediator with experience in the field of conflict resolution involving state, local, and federal agencies and the public, and has been the senior/lead mediator/facilitator involving complex, multi-party, multi-state natural resource management related to salmon and steelhead projects in the Pacific Northwest.
- Master’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university and a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible facilitation management and conflict resolution experience in a professional environment that deals specifically with resolving controversial issues related to Pacific salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest.
- A local candidate in Washington state / Western Washington state is strongly preferred.
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.