Program Analyst Support Services - NMFS Office of Policy

Ocean Associates

Ocean Associates

IT, Customer Service

Silver Spring, MD, USA

USD 25-45 / hour

Posted on May 28, 2026

NOTE: We are recruiting for this position prospectively, contingent upon 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 a Program Analyst to provide support services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Policy in Silver Spring, MD. 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 NOAA Fisheries Office of Policy helps coordinate and implement Agency priorities, especially multifaceted initiatives that cross-cut headquarters program offices, regional offices, science centers, NOAA line offices, and other Government agencies. The Office of Policy requires support to conduct policy analysis and program support for Administration and Agency priorities typically set out in Executive Orders, legislation, strategic plans, and related NOAA Fisheries directives. The work is often cutting-edge, novel, cross-program, or cross-line-office work and requires the Office of Policy to remain nimble in support of emerging Agency priorities.

Tasks

Agency Priority and Executive Order Implementation Support

  • Support implementation of Administration and Agency priorities established through Executive Orders, legislation, strategic plans, NOAA Fisheries initiatives, and related policy direction.
  • Support implementation of E.O. 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, including support for one or more pilot initiatives focused on U.S. seafood sustainability, seafood industry resiliency, and/or seafood sector innovations.
  • Conduct literature reviews, industry surveys, and related analytical support to help develop recommendations on useful market analyses to support economic resilience and seafood sector development.
  • Document Executive Order and NOAA Fisheries Seafood Strategy accomplishments and successes, including support for a draft annual report or related reporting products.

Policy Directive System and Policy/Procedure Development Support

  • Support revisions, updates, or creation of NOAA Fisheries policies and procedures, including products associated with the NOAA Fisheries Policy Directive System.
  • Assist with drafting, review, revision, coordination, and tracking of agency policy documents with subject matter experts, NOAA Fisheries leadership, and, when directed, external partners and stakeholders.
  • Develop or update tracking tools such as action item trackers, comment matrices, decision-support summaries, policy review schedules, and status reports.

NOAA Fisheries Leadership Council and Governance Support

  • Support NOAA Fisheries Leadership Council activities that facilitate corporate-level discussion and decision-making by NOAA Fisheries leadership.
  • Support planning and execution of large multi-day meetings, monthly team meetings, and related internal governance meetings, including agendas, pre-reads, logistics materials, meeting notes, and action item tracking.
  • Coordinate with Headquarters, regional offices, science centers, and program offices, as directed by the TOM, to support timely information sharing and follow-through on assigned actions.

Policy and Regulatory Analysis

  • Analyze statutes, regulations, policies, draft legislation, Executive Orders, and NOAA Fisheries program materials and provide written analysis, options, and recommendations to support Office of Policy priorities.
  • Draft policy memoranda, issue papers, briefing materials, reports, presentation materials, decision-support summaries, and sections of larger documents on policy analysis, regulatory, or policy matters pertaining to NOAA Fisheries programs and their administration.
  • Synthesize technical, policy, legal, and programmatic input into clear written products suitable for Government review and use.

NEPA Policy and Procedure Implementation Support

  • Support implementation of new or revised NEPA policies and procedures, as assigned.
  • Support collaboration, information sharing, and training-related materials for NEPA compliance, consistent with Government direction.
  • Develop summaries, analyses, trackers, or other support materials related to NEPA policy implementation activities.

Energy and Infrastructure Permitting Support

  • Support Office of Policy coordination related to permitting of infrastructure and energy projects, as assigned.
  • Assist 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 agencies.
  • Support timely document review and coordination for infrastructure and energy project-related materials within the scope of the task order.

Review and Comment Support

  • Review draft documents prepared by others and provide timely, well-supported written comments based on policy review and analysis.
  • Coordinate comment consolidation across Office of Policy staff and other NOAA Fisheries partners when directed by the TOM.
  • Use Government-directed formats such as tracked changes, comment matrices, summary tables, or annotated drafts.

Communications and Outreach Support

  • Assist with communications projects related to policy matters, such as newsletters, print products, weekly headlines, rollout plans, priority documents, and ongoing outreach efforts.
  • Support preparation of audience-appropriate materials that are consistent with NOAA Fisheries messaging and Government direction.
  • Support coordination, planning, and implementation of outreach activities, including authorized travel when required.

Administrative, Records Management, and Task Order Reporting

  • Perform administrative support tasks within the scope of the task order, including records management, file organization, trackers, scheduling support, and other administrative documents as assigned.
  • Attend a task order kick-off meeting within 10 business days after award (or as otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer).
  • Participate in recurring status meetings as requested by the TOM.
  • Provide a monthly progress report summarizing accomplishments, upcoming work, issues/risks, recommendations, and, if applicable, authorized travel activities, status, outcomes, and action items.

Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract.

Location: Primarily onsite at NMFS Headquarters, Office of Policy. 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Travel: Travel may be required to conferences, meetings, NOAA regional offices, science centers, and/or partner offices

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $25.00 - $45.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience, or a Master’s degree, from an accredited college or university in environmental policy, biology, fisheries management, or related fields of study
  • Experience synthesizing and writing technical reports
  • Knowledge of coastal and marine resource management and policy work/issues
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to synthesize information; strong interpersonal skills; a growth mindset/desire to learn; flexibility; and comfort with uncertainty
  • Experience working with federal agency policies and regulations applicable to marine resources management in state or federal waters
  • Knowledge 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)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience implementing NMFS Policies/Procedures, including E.O. 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
  • Experience drafting policy memoranda, briefing materials, and larger documents on policy analyses pertaining to NMFS programs and their administration
  • Experience analyzing statutes, regulations, policies, draft legislation, Executive Orders, and NMFS program materials

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.

See more open positions at Ocean Associates