Policy Analyst

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. (CPC) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual to serve as a Policy Analyst to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS).  This position is contingent on funding/contract modification.

Administered by NOAA and jointly managed with the State of Florida, FKNMS protects 3800 square miles of waters surrounding the Florida Keys, from south of Miami westward to encompass the Dry Tortugas, excluding Dry Tortugas National Park. Within the boundaries of the sanctuary lie spectacular, unique, and nationally significant marine resources, from the world's third largest barrier reef, extensive seagrass beds, mangrove-fringed islands, and more than 6,000 species of marine life. The sanctuary also protects pieces of our nation's history such as shipwrecks and other archeological treasures.

FKNMS requires technical expertise and analytical support to issue various permits and authorizations to conduct activities in the FKNMS. This analytical support includes consultations with other federal and state agencies with regulatory and statutory authority to manage and protect resources within the FKNMS and an assessment of the impacts of proposed activities on sanctuary resources. The objective also includes developing a set of conditions that could be imposed upon the applicant's activities which might allow the proposed activity to be conducted within the sanctuary. This action must be done on a case-by-case permit basis. An additional objective is to use the information gained from the permitting process in the evaluative feedback loop for adaptive management to make revisions and improvements in the regulations governing activities within the sanctuary and modifications of the permit system. The Policy Analyst will work with FKNMS’ Senior Policy Analyst who is the lead contact for FKNMS-wide environmental compliance, reviewing emerging resource protection issues when they arise, coordinating with the appropriate local, state, and federal offices, and providing recommendations to the federal sanctuary official on an appropriate level of engagement or response.

To assist the Policy Analyst in authorizing projects, FKNMS has developed detailed and comprehensive guidance for the review and processing of authorizations and will provide access to almost 20 years of historical files, document templates, standard permit conditions, existing mitigation programs, and the knowledge and expertise of other sanctuary staff.

FKNMS has two office locations, one in Key West and one in Key Largo. The desired location for this position is Key West, FL, but consideration will be given to applicants who prefer to work in Key Largo, FL. A remote location will be considered for candidates experienced in conducting all duties of the position and with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS).

Duties

Working in a close and collaborative fashion with the FKNMS Senior Policy Analyst, FKNMS, ONMS, and NOAA staff that have expertise in the area, duties of the Policy Analyst include but are not limited to:

• Evaluate nearshore construction and other projects ranging from small docks associated with single-family residences to complex infrastructure projects such as the replacement of bridges and beach renourishment to determine if a project is exempt from or prohibited by sanctuary regulations. 
• Evaluate potential resource impacts associated with proposed projects to ensure the activity is compatible with FKNMS’ resource protection goals. 
• Provide expert project management and frequently work with a variety of federal, state, and local permitting agencies, environmental consultants, engineers, and private property owners. 
• Communicate with regulatory staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Monroe County, and/or other municipalities for project review. 
• Review proposed activities, the associated resource impacts, and developing permit conditions to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those impacts.
• Develop requests for additional information in order to fully evaluate the potential effects of a project on sanctuary resources and evaluate responses to those requests.
• Develop appropriate mitigation requirements, especially mitigation focused on corals, based on existing programs.
• Utilize and maintain spatial data to assist with project evaluation.
• Examine and inform program policy and management issues within assigned program areas.
• Work with Senior Policy Analyst and other FKNMS staff as appropriate if an FKNMS permit rather than authorization of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is deemed necessary. Correspond with the permittee to convey appropriate requirements.
• Brief FKNMS leadership on complex or controversial projects.
• Write authorizations or permits and associated environmental compliance documentation.
• Keep the record up to date on the shared file server and the ONMS permit database.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (Masters Preferred)
• 5+ years of experience working in the area of natural resource management permitting;
• Knowledge of federal and state legislation related to the area of natural resource management and conservation, including, but not limited to the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson Stevens Act, National Historic Preservation Act and Coastal Zone Management Act;
• Knowledge of federal consultation requirements under the previously listed statutes;
• Experience with interagency coordination;
• Practical understanding of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary science, policies, management and education;
• Familiarity with coral conservation, especially South Atlantic and Caribbean corals.

AAP/EEO Statement 

CPC is an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.