Job Description

Title: Quota Management Specialist

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec III

Hiring Range: $53,000-$57,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Marine Resources Commission

Location: main location

Agency Website: WWW.MRC.VIRGINIA.GOV

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Quota Management Specialist monitors, audits, and manages Virginia’s commercial seafood harvest allocations to ensure compliance with strict state and federal catch limits. This role serves as a vital link between the commercial fishing industry and VMRC. This position will serve as the primary contact for Virginia’s Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs including striped bass and black sea bass. The VMRC quota manager will serve as the primary liaison for vessel owners and seafood dealers regarding permitting and transfers. This position also directly oversees striped bass ITQ tag acquisition, dispersal, and auditing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain precise real-time data on commercial quota utilization of all commercial species landed in Virginia managed under a Virginia state quota.
• Program administration of Virginia’s commercial striped bass ITQ program to include transfers between harvesters and accounting of commercial tags.
• Program administration of Virginia’s commercial striped bass ITQ tag dispersal and retrieval, including working directly with manufacturers to ensure quality of products, organizing staff to sort and distribute tags, and performing the returned-tag audit at the conclusion of each fishing year.
• Program administration of Virginia’s commercial black sea bass ITQ.
• Will assist fisheries management staff in preparing fisheries evaluations and yearly compliance reports that pertain to quota managed species.
• Ensures harvesters and seafood buyers meet all established permitting requirements related to specific limited entry fisheries.
• Manage Virginia’s commercial hook and line licensing program, to include tracking harvest and license transfers.
• Work with interstate and federal partners to assist the Divisional Leadership in species specific quota transfers between states.
• Evaluate and process transfers of Virginia summer flounder endorsement licenses, ensuring compliance with baseline regulatory requirements prior to issuance.
• May be directed to present quota or species licensing related information at Agency meetings, including both monthly full commission meetings and to advisory committees.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Marine Science, Fisheries Management, Biology closely related field or equivalent experience in lieu of education will be considered.
• Demonstrated communication skills and excellent organizational ability.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communications, including a strong aptitude to communicate and work with peers, the fishing industry and the public.
• Must hold or be able to obtain a valid Virginia driver’s license.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with researchers from other agencies, organizations, and stakeholders including the fishing industry.
• Extensive knowledge of the fish species and fisheries of Virginia and the Atlantic Coast.
• Must be willing to travel and work a flexible schedule including occasional weekends and evenings.

Additional Considerations

This position requires physical ability to lift up to 20 lbs.; pushing and pulling; standing, sitting, reaching, walking, bending, stooping, and climbing

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

A Completed STATE APPLICATION is REQUIRED.

Contact Information

Name: Malinda Cross

Phone: 757-247-2216

Email: HR@MRC.VIRGINIA.GOV

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.