Fisheries Disaster Program Analyst

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is looking for a Program Analyst to support the NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region Fisheries Disaster Support Services program.

Primary Function: The Fisheries Disaster Program Analyst supports NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region in evaluating fishery disaster requests submitted under Section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Working under the Regional Fishery Disaster Assistance Lead, the analyst reviews requests for completeness, coordinates with requesting states, tribes, and government entities, evaluates complete packages against established policy methodology, and drafts decision memos to support a determination by the Secretary of Commerce. The role also builds and maintains the tracking tools, templates, and file systems used to manage Alaska fishery disasters from declaration through grant close-out.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Provide program management support to the Regional Fishery Disaster Assistance Lead (Lead). Serve as the point of contact for requesting entities from initial receipt of a request through the final decision and funding; answer questions and refer items outside the contractor's scope to the Lead. Review each disaster request against the required information in MSA Section 312(a); notify the requestor's staff contact of any missing or incomplete information and inform the Lead by email of the deficiencies. Evaluate complete request packages using the methodology in the Headquarters Policy Guidance, and notify the Lead when commencing review. Draft decision memos on agreed-upon templates for the Lead's review, incorporate requested edits, and update memos with the Lead's recommended decision. Serve as the initial point of contact for staff questions during the Headquarters and Region clearance process, working with the Lead as appropriate. Develop an annotated Alaska fishery disaster request template that can be shared with requesters. Build and maintain a database of Alaska fishery disasters to track multi-year disasters and grants, and monitor state, federal, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission websites for related disaster-relief information. Create and maintain a file management system for Alaska disasters spanning declaration through grant close-out. Prepare annual reports on pending and approved Alaska fishery disasters and develop spend plans for leadership. Submit monthly progress reports (accomplishments, issues encountered, and recommendations) and monthly invoices by the 15th of the following month.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on candidates' depth of experience. This is a full-time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience in program planning and management in a team environment. Experience reviewing and evaluating basic quantitative data, such as population size data, and basic economic data. Policy analysis experience and the ability to evaluate specific data and information against required standards. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Established skills with spreadsheet and word processing software, including current MS Office and Google Workspace (Google Office Suite) skills. Proficiency with online seminar software such as Google Meet or Webex. Ability to follow established procedures to accomplish specific tasks. Must complete a background investigation prior to beginning work and be able to obtain a PIV/CAC and a NOAA email account.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with salmon management, including analysis of data or management reports.

Travel:

No Travel

Location:

Remote (off-site).