Marine Fisheries Executive Assistant Councils

Position: Marine Fisheries Executive Assistant for Councils
Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Marine  Fisheries Job Classification Title Program Analyst II (NS)
Position NumberGradeNC
19

About UsThe primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs.

DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life.

Description of Work The Executive Assistant for Councils will serve on the DMF Director’s policy-level team. The position is the voting proxy representing North Carolina’s fisheries policy interests on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and coordinating, leading, and implementing policy level projects. The position provides fisheries policy representation for the DMF, the Department of Environmental Quality, the State of North Carolina, and its commercial and recreational fishing interests in ocean fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3 to 200 miles offshore) from North Carolina as far south as the Florida Keys.

The position provides policy level recommendations for the State of North Carolina regarding development of federal fishery management plans and potential impacts to North Carolina fishery resources, in consultation with the DMF Director and Marine Fisheries Commission. The position reviews biological, social, and economic impacts of federal and interstate fishery management plans for approval and recommendation to the full SAFMC with subsequent approval by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

This position also takes part in public hearings for input and review of proposed regulations to implement recommended management measures and serves on multiple SAFMC committees and boards. This position requires a minimum of four weeks’ additional travel per year but can require more than 8 weeks of federally/interstate-required travel per year, including weekends and holidays.

This position assists the DMF in implementing various state fisheries management mandates and serves in a consulting capacity in daily fisheries policy management decisions. The person in this position will represent the DMF director at interstate and interagency meetings and serve on boards, committees and/or task forces and other such assignments, as needed. This position will coordinate, lead, and implement policy for the state and division including, but not limited to, state, regional and national fisheries policy and initiatives.

A successful candidate must have the skills and abilities to use a methodical and logical approach to address internal and external customer inquiries and to build effective working relationships. The ability to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment is a must. Experience negotiating marine fisheries regulation, policies, and management programs among varied groups of policy, agency, and the fishing public stakeholders is necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the DMF Director’s proxy providing representation, for the DMF, the…