Research Associate

ECS is seeking a Research Associate to work in our Seattle, WA office.

Background

Job Description:

In response to the recently released NOAA Fisheries National Environmental Equity and Justice (EEJ) Strategy, the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Restoration Center, and Office of Law Enforcement have drafted a EEJ Regional Implementation Plan. The next phase includes identification of and research into underserved communities, development of materials and listening sessions to provide information and invite feedback on the Plan, and conducting or supporting internal and external engagements on the Plan.

In addition to the coast-wide efforts to improve our understanding of and relationships with underserved communities, a case study will be undertaken to identify how a unique element of the West Coast Trawl Catch Share Program (WCTCSP) can be used to meet the EEJ goals and objectives established by the Regional Implementation Plan. The WCTCSP is an exception to many catch share programs with strong user rights because the program designers had the prudence to create a quota set-aside program, specifically to provide flexibility to respond to future conditions or objectives. To-date, the set-aside quota has been passed through pro rata to existing quota share accounts. This case study will use the decision framework developed by Nayani and Warlick (2018) to analyze how the quota set-aside program can be used to meet EEJ objectives.

The Primary Goals Of This Work Are To Engage With NOAA Fisheries Staff And Underserved Communities Across The West Coast To

• Establish connections and rapport between NOAA Fisheries and underserved communities to better understand the ways in which our work affects their communities and how we can best engage on an ongoing basis to include community-specific considerations in our work and future engagements.
• Actively discuss and review our approaches to regulatory work, application of policies, and use of best practices to determine those changes that can be made to include consideration and avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of impacts to underserved communities.
• Write a research paper about how the West Coast Trawl Catch Share program can use quota set-asides to meet West Coast EEJ objectives.
  
  

Detailed Description

ECS is seeking one full time Research Associate to support the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center located in Seattle, WA to conduct analysis and to coordinate directly with West Coast Region (WCR) and PFMC staff. The Research Associate shall leverage information obtained through trawl review public hearings to ensure that the policy options developed align with the fishery and can constructively contribute to planning. Success shall be measured by providing a useful policy analysis, based on a strong relationship with the WCR and PFMC staff as well as past strong collaboration between the WCR and the NWFSC.

The Research Associate Shall

• Participate in team meetings.
• Draft a manuscript describing how quota set-asides can be used to meet EEJ goals and objectives.
• Work internally with staff to gather information on our work and points of challenge or opportunity relative to developing and addressing EEJ actions or considerations.
• Develop recommendations or proposals for initial changes to our work to instill an EEJ focus.
• Identifying and gathering data on underrepresented and underserved communities, including seeking points
• of contact.
• Develop materials for outreach and education related to EEJ efforts.
• Engage with those communities to learn about their needs and perspectives and to share information on
• the work we do and the opportunities for incorporating EEJ considerations and actions into that work, including in-person and/or virtual listening sessions, one-on-one interviews, or similar connection efforts.
• Analyze data and feedback received to inform our drafting of future revisions to the regional implementation plan, including community engagement on those future revisions.
  
  

The ideal candidate may have a masters or doctorate degree in natural resource management and have experience in fisheries management and/or equity and environmental justice research, and experience communicating with community members with diverse backgrounds. All candidates must have strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills, be detail oriented and able to work independently.

Deliverables

• Manuscript analyzing how quota set-asides can be used to achieve EEJ Objectives for equitable distribution of benefits in the WCGTCS (Due September 29, 2024).
• List of underserved communities affected by NOAA Fisheries work on the West Coast including an initial set of points of contact. (Date TBD).
• Summary notes and recommendations from internal staff listening sessions to increase awareness of EEJ.
• applications in our work and develop ideas of practical changes to our work, where appropriate, to ensure community engagement and input on decisions that affect underserved communities. (Date TBD).
• Outreach materials developed to engage community participation in external listening sessions to provide information on our work and EEJ efforts and to invite feedback (February 2025).
• Summary notes and recommendations from 3 to 4 listening sessions held along the West Coast (plus sessions held in conjunction with the Pacific Fishery Management Council) on community feedback on the current Plan (Date TBD).
• Combined set of recommendations on revisions to the Regional Implementation Plan. (Date TBD).
  
  

Location/Note:

Seattle, WA. On-site location at the NWFSC (2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112) is preferred. Remote / Telework from a location in California, Oregon, or Washington State may also be considered.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000