Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking to hire a Fisheries Economist to support a contract with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF). This is a full-time, primarily remote position based in Silver Spring, MD, anticipated to begin July 1, 2026. Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.*

NOAA OSF requires economic analysis support to evaluate fisheries management actions under Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. This role will support regulatory decision-making by conducting economic, socio-economic, and trade-related analyses that inform NOAA leadership and ensure compliance with statutory requirements. This position is contingent upon contract award.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Fisheries Economist - Economic Analysis Support, will include the following:

Support the fishery management actions necessary to enable rapid fulfillment of the requirements of the Seafood Executive Order

Support the economic analysis for fisheries management actions resulting from the Seafood EO, and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership including but not limited to conducting Regulatory Impact Review analyses, developing fishery descriptions, conducting Regulatory Flexibility Analysis reviews (to include Section 610 reviews), and Small Business entity analyses.

Assessments including, but not limited to, cost-benefits of proposed management options, including addressing fisheries bycatch and discard issues, capacity, protected species issues, habitat protection restrictions, and social impact assessments in support of the management actions necessary to implement the Seafood EO and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership.

Provide fisheries management input to the Office of Science & Technology’s Trade Dashboard in support of the Seafood EO.

Evaluate the effects of allocation options between commercial – recreational sectors; within sectors

Evaluate surveys and research of socioeconomic impacts of management actions and disasters on fishing communities, including general public, fishing businesses, crew, aquaculture operations, marine-related businesses and seafood-business employees.

Evaluate comparative analyses of fishing labor trends

Technical editing of economic input to fishery management actions in support of the Seafood EO and in response to NOAA and NMFS leadership requests.

Evaluation of decision support tools, bio economic models, integrated ecosystem models, angler behavioral models, seafood markets and trade, aquaculture, and fisheries economic impact models.

Provide support for socio-economic analyses for fisheries management actions for which NOAA is responsible.

Deliverables

Economic analyses for fishery management actions
Progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations, if applicable, submitted at least on a monthly basis.
Trade Dashboard Data & Technical Inputs: Validated economic data sets and analytical summaries provided to the Office of Science & Technology to populate the Seafood EO Trade Dashboard.
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) & Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA) Reports: Comprehensive analysis of the economic costs, benefits, and impacts of proposed fishery management actions on small business entities (vessels, processors, and aquaculture).
Socio-Economic Impact Assessments (SIA): Detailed reports quantifying the effects of management options on fishing communities, such as data on labor trends, crew participation, and impacts on marine-related businesses and the general public.
Fishery Management Action Technical Edits: Polished, economic sections within larger fishery management documents, ensuring all inputs meet NOAA/NMFS leadership standards for clarity and statutory compliance.

Qualifications

The Ideal Fisheries Economist - Economic Analysis Support, will have the following:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, resource economics, or related field (Master’s strongly preferred)
At least 3+ years of experience in applied economic analysis in the field of fisheries science or management
Experience conducting cost-benefit and regulatory impact analyses
Strong quantitative and analytical skills
Applied expertise with relevant statutes, including the MSA, ESA, MMPA, and NEPA.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Place of Performance

Work will be performed primarily offsite. Occasional travel or on-site support may be required depending on mission needs.

Travel

Limited travel may be required to support Council meetings, NMFS coordination, or workshops.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
Flexible spending accounts
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Life and accident insurance
Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
Employee Referral Program
Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

* This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.

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Fisheries Economist (Economic Analysis Support)