Permitting Program Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

Permitting Program Analyst – NOAA Sustainable Fisheries Location: Sacramento, California (with Offsite/Remote Support) Make a Difference in Marine Conservation

Are you passionate about protecting our marine ecosystems? Join @Orchard in supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in its mission to manage and conserve West Coast fisheries.

This is a unique opportunity for a detail-oriented and communicative professional to work at the intersection of science, policy, and public service. You will be a key player on a collaborative, interdisciplinary team dedicated to the sustainability of groundfish, halibut, and other pelagic species. Your work will directly support fishermen, scientists, and policymakers, ensuring that our fisheries are managed responsibly for generations to come.

Your Role and Impact

As the Permitting Program Analyst , you will be the central hub for fisheries permitting programs. You will serve as the first point of contact for stakeholders, guiding them through complex regulatory processes while ensuring the integrity of critical data that informs national policy. This role is perfect for someone who excels at customer support, data management, and detailed administrative work.

What You'll Do: Key Responsibilities

• Permit Management: Meticulously review, track, and process permit applications, renewals, and transfers from start to finish. You will coordinate the issuance of various permits, including those for exempted fishing and scientific research.
• Stakeholder Support: Serve as a primary resource for fishermen, researchers, and the public. You will answer calls and emails, clarify regulations, assist with online account access (including password and quota share support), and ensure constituents have the information they need to succeed.
• Data and Systems Integrity: Help maintain the systems that West Coast fisheries depend on. You will assist with data requests, develop use cases for database improvements, audit public-facing websites for accuracy and accessibility (Section 508 compliance), and manage the distribution of essential materials like logbooks.
• Administrative Excellence: Provide crucial support to the Sustainable Fisheries Division by tracking correspondence, submitting sanction checks to law enforcement, performing simple financial analysis for permit fees, and delivering clear monthly progress reports.

What You'll Bring: Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university in a relevant field such as fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology.
• A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in a related field.
• Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience totaling five (5) years will be considered.
• Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheets and databases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft professional correspondence.
• Superior organizational skills and a keen eye for detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience using and administering West Coast fishery permits and databases (e.g., National Permits System, Vessel Account System, PacFIN, vTrack).
• Experience in developing use cases for database maintenance and improvement.

Why This is an Excellent Opportunity

• Impactful Work: Contribute directly to science-based policy and resource recovery strategies that protect our oceans.
• High-Level Collaboration: Work alongside experts from federal agencies, regional fishery management councils, and international treaty bodies.
• Professional Growth: Gain invaluable experience in regulatory affairs, policy analysis, and environmental science within a prestigious government agency.
• Flexible Environment: Enjoy the benefits of off-site work, with authorized travel for important meetings and stakeholder engagement.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at .