Project Manager

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 Project Manager to provide Staff Management, Administrative, and Project Management Support. to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) 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. We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract.

Background

The Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) supports consideration and resolution of national domestic policy issues, provides support to the regional fishery management councils (councils), manages fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species, and works with federal partners to ensure the safety of seafood sold in the U.S. OSF is a headquarters office and works closely with the five NOAA Fisheries regional offices and six science centers and in partnership with the councils, interstate marine fishery commissions, and states to ensure U.S. fisheries are sustainably managed. 

OSF also engages the fishing industry (both commercial and recreational), seafood dealers, environmental groups, other federal agencies, and academia to ensure sustainable fisheries and sustainable economies and healthy and nutritious shellfish and finfish. OSF is one of seven national program offices and reports to the NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator of Regulatory Programs. It employs approximately 75 people (FTE’s, contractors, fellows, etc.) primarily in Silver Spring, Maryland; Gloucester, Massachusetts; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Pascagoula, Mississippi. OSF is made up of a directorate, which includes office leadership, and four divisions: the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division, the Domestic Fisheries Division, the Operations and Regulatory Services Division, and the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory. 

In April 2025, Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, was issued to strengthen the U.S. fishing industry by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports. Since that time OSF solicited public input on innovative ideas to improve fisheries management, and has received workplans from each of the eight Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division (Atl HMS). NOAA Fisheries received over 700 public comments and about 175 recommendations from the councils and Atl HMS. NOAA Fisheries is now engaged in evaluating public, Atl HMS, and council input. Additional work will be undertaken to develop and implement actions to support the Executive Order. Individuals under this statement of work will be engaged in activities to support this development and implementation.

Tasks 

• Identify the fisheries management needs (i.e., collect requirements) of the NMFS Regional Offices and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division to achieve the outcomes described in the Seafood EO, and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership. 
• Develop and execute a plan, with schedules, to meet the needs of the NMFS Regional Offices and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division using staff 
• resources available to achieve the outcomes described in the Seafood EO and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership. 
• Lead the Seafood EO contractor team to ensure Regional and Atl HMS needs to implement the Seafood EO are successfully met. 
• Provide project management and regulatory analysis support to ensure Regional Office and Atl HMS fisheries management actions are completed on time. 
• Collaborate with OSF and Regional office staff to identify and resolve issues and ensure deadlines are met. 
• Manage multiple projects concurrently and ensure each is appropriately staffed. Communicate project status, issues, and proposed resolutions to Regional Office and Atl HMS staff, and to the federal manager. 
• Manage multiple contractor resources at any given time. 
• Coordinate with NMFS leadership, OSF staff, and Regional Office staff whenever necessary to ensure policies and procedures are followed. 
• Provide updates on project progress and conduct regular meetings with Regional Office and Atl HMS staff for all identified fishery management needs. 
• Ability to lead project management efforts and mentor other c