Environmental Specialist (Hydropower & Fish Passage), Azura Consulting

Position Overview

Salary: $39.26 USD per hour

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in water resources, natural resources, environmental science, fisheries, biology, or a related field

Experience Required: Minimum of three to five years working with hydropower projects or related regulatory processes

Description

Azura Consulting LLC is hiring a full-time Environmental Specialist (Hydropower & Fish Passage) at NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in Gloucester, Massachusetts, paying $39.26 per hour, with an anticipated start date of 8 June 2026.

Azura Consulting LLC (Azura) is a woman-owned small business offering “big city” resources with “small town” customer service. Consulting services focus on natural resources, professional writing and editing, and educational outreach and communication. Azura is headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and serves federal clients including NOAA Fisheries.

The Environmental Specialist provides technical support to NOAA Fisheries’ GARFO Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division (HESD), reviewing hydropower development projects, evaluating potential impacts to diadromous fish, and supporting regulatory and conservation decision-making through data analysis and technical review. The role requires professional knowledge of diadromous fish behavior and habitats, plus fish passage requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Power Act.

Responsibilities

• Review hydropower license applications, study plans, and environmental analyses for priority projects and assess compliance with applicable regulations and conservation objectives.
• Evaluate project documentation and provide technical recommendations to protect and recover NOAA trust resources.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesise scientific information to inform project evaluations.
• Collect, manage, and analyse complex datasets, identifying trends and ensuring data quality.
• Maintain project records, including subscribing to and tracking FERC dockets, organising filings, and managing electronic record systems.
• Support geospatial and data visualisation efforts to characterise project impacts and environmental conditions.
• Conduct and document site visits and field observations as needed.
• Prepare clear, concise technical documents including correspondence, reports, and formal reviews.
• Provide recommendations to HESD on hydropower development and diadromous fish conservation.
• Participate in meetings, technical discussions, and site visits with federal staff and external stakeholders.
• Deliver written and oral presentations to professional audiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in water resources, natural resources, environmental science, fisheries, biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of three to five years of experience working with hydropower projects or related regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fish behavior and fish passage principles.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established processes and workflows.
• Excellent reading comprehension and technical writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet short deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance, including successful completion of a background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in water resources, natural resources, environmental science, fisheries, biology, or a related field.
• Experience working with federal or state agencies, including familiarity with applicable environmental regulations.
• Experience with FERC processes and hydropower licensing.
• Experience supporting or evaluating hydropower development projects.

Additional Notes

• Duty-stationed in Gloucester, Massachusetts (55 Great Republic Drive); not a remote position, but telework is allowed and the Specialist is expected to reside within commuting distance.
• Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Position is funded annually with expected continuation for at least one year and potential for multi-year extension.
• Anticipated start date 8 June 2026, contingent on successful security processing.
• Some travel required, up to ten days per year.
• Candidates must respond to communications within 24 hours during workdays and participate in calls and meetings as needed.
• Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer match; life and disability insurance; and paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and company-observed holidays.
• Federal background investigation typically takes 6 to 16 weeks.

How to Apply

Apply through the Azura Consulting Gusto careers portal.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter (one page) specifying the position you are applying to, your earliest available start date, and your level of knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the role; label the file as Lastname-Firstname_Cover Letter_Hydro.
• Resume or CV (three pages or less) targeted to the duties and qualifications of this position; label the file as Lastname-Firstname_Resume_Hydro (or _CV_Hydro).
• Two to four professional references with name, email, and phone number.