Facilitator

At Saltwater Inc. we believe that high-quality data is vital to the health of our fisheries and oceans: our mission is to provide that data. We are a Women-Owned Small Business and are constantly seeking new team members who share our passion for innovation and environmental wellness. We are currently recruiting for a Facilitator to lead a professional, impartial facilitation team to help manage an MMPA-required Nisqually River Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force to review the Application, review the public comments on the application, and to provide NMFS with a recommendation to either approve or deny an application requesting authority for lethal removal of sea lions that are having a significant negative impact on at-risk populations of salmon and steelhead. This Facilitator must be able to skillfully manage the Task Force through the controversial nature of the subject / discussions.

This will be a full-time position. Work may be performed remotely in coordination with the COR and Project Lead, but a local candidate is strongly preferred. The contract has a base period from September 30, 2026 – September 29, 2027 and will have up to four 12-month option periods. 

Duties:

This Task Force Facilitator will advise and assist NMFS in convening the Task Force; be responsible for renting the facility for the Task Force meeting, to include all reimbursable costs associated with rental, equipment and supplies; assess the needs of Task Force members in advance of the session via one-on-one telephone calls; manage and facilitate the participation of Task Force members during their deliberations and discussions; work with Task Force members using facilitation and mediation techniques to sort through polarized views; document task force deliberations; professionally manage public involvement in the Task Force meetings; and write a detailed report that captures the final agreements and recommendations of the Task Force.

Task 1: description—Preparation for Task Force Meetings

• Plan approach to Task Force meetings with NMFS
• Review preparatory information/materials w/NMFS
• Prepare draft agenda and prepare supporting materials for Task Force meetings
• Pre-meeting calls with Task Force members
• Reserve and purchase meeting space and equipment rental for up to (55) participants
• Project management and meeting logistics

Task 2: Description— Facilitate and Document Discussion

• Facilitate meetings/discussions
• Document meeting/discussion

Task 3: Description— Report of Task Force Deliberations

• Prepare meeting/discussion summary
• Prepare draft report and manage iterative process with Task Force
• Provide NMFS with draft report and Task Force recommendations for review and approval
• Revise draft report
• Provide NMFS with a final report and Task Force recommendation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience as a lead facilitator and mediator with experience in the field of conflict resolution involving state, local, and federal agencies and the public
• Demonstrated experience as the senior/lead mediator/facilitator involving complex, multi-party, multi-state natural resource management related to salmon and steelhead projects in the Pacific Northwest.
• Master’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university and a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible facilitation management and conflict resolution experience in a professional environment that deals specifically with resolving controversial issues related to Pacific salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest.

Salary range is $40-$55 per hour, dependent upon experience.

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace culture to attract the best talent and allow each member of our team to achieve their full potential and maximum productivity. Furthermore, Saltwater Inc. highly encourages qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply for positions for which they are qualified and to notify us if there are any needs for accommodation throughout the application process and/or upon hire.

Only qualified applicants with the requisite experience need to apply. 

We will honor all requests for application confidentiality.