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PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR III

Fishing and Boating Services Director

Recruitment #26-005484-0001

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Introduction

Director of Fishing and Boating Services 

GRADE

25

LOCATION OF POSITION

Annapolis, Maryland (Anne Arundel County)

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves as Director of Fishing and Boating Service (Unit) and is responsible for the overall leadership, management and direction of the Unit. The mission of the Fishing and Boating Service’s unit to sustainably and safely manage Maryland’s aquatic natural resources and waterways for the benefit of present and future generations. This mission is accomplished by (1) developing management frameworks for the conservation and equitable use of fishery resources; (2) managing fisheries in balance with the ecosystem using best available science; (3) monitoring and assessing the status and trends of fisheries resources; (4) providing high quality, diverse, accessible fishing opportunities; and (5) fostering boating safety through the removal of in-water hazards and by marking dangers. The Fishing and Boating Services Director oversees the overall workplan necessary to meet the Unit’s mission all while ensuring sound fiscal management of a $40 million operating budget and leading a staff of approximately 200 FTEs and 40 seasonal employees. The Director leads this work through five Divisions: (1) Tidal and Coastal Management and Science, (2) Shellfish and Aquaculture, (3) Freshwater, Hatcheries and Fisheries Ecosystem Assessment and Health Services, (4) Boating Services, and (5) Unit Operations; which are each led by an Associate Director.

This position has broad delegated authority from the Secretary to carry out the Unit’s responsibilities. This position works closely with the Office of the Secretary in communicating the necessary strategies and policy objectives necessary to achieve management goals. The incumbent is the Department’s chief spokesperson on Fisheries science, management, aquaculture and marketing issues and represents the State, the Department, and the Unit on intrastate, interstate, federal and international governmental commissions, committees, task forces and work groups. The incumbent interacts regularly with high-level federal officials (NOAA, DOI, USACOE, EPA, FDA, USDA), Maryland congressional representatives and staff, State and local agency leaders, academic experts, members of the State legislature, local elected officials, members of the fishing business community (i.e. fishing tackle and bait shops, charter boat industry (fishing guides), commercial fishermen, seafood dealers, and aquaculturists), environmental advocacy and other special interest groups, news media and the general public. 

The Fishing and Boating Service is responsible for facilitating, building consensus and informed consent, and making sound scientific decisions consistent with state, federal and international agreements while balancing the diverse and competing interests of 645,000 sports fishermen, 5,800 commercial fishermen, 360 fishing guides, 340 aquaculture businesses, numerous tackle 2 and bait shops and seafood dealers, and those citizens that don’t fish but value sustainable fisheries in Maryland. These decisions not only impact social and cultural values of Maryland’s citizenry, but also Maryland jobs and economy as these fisheries generate an estimated $2 billion annually.

POSITION DUTIES

  • Develop and implement strategic plans, budgets and policies under the direction of administrative and legislative guidelines to advance fisheries related initiatives.

  • Represent the Department in facilitating, developing, building consensus and informed consent, and implementing regional, national and international fisheries management, habitat conservation, aquaculture and marketing policies and related coordination activities with other jurisdictions including, but not limited to: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAANMFS Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICAAT), Potomac River Fisheries Commission and EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team.

  • Oversee the development of the Unit’s operating and capital budget as well as several federal grant programs to ensure that the resources are used to their utmost capacity to advance the priority resource management issues of the state.

  • Represent the Department’s fisheries management, habitat conservation, aquaculture and marketing interests in interactions with Maryland’s sports fishermen, commercial fishermen, fishing guides, aqua culturists, tackle and baits hop businesses, seafood dealers, environmental advocacy groups, general public and news media.

  • Provide leadership and direction to Maryland’s 5 fishery advisory bodies including: Sports Fisheries Advisory Commission, Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, Oyster Advisory Commission, Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission, and the Aquaculture Coordination Council. 

  • Represent the Department’s fisheries management, habitat conservation, aquaculture and marketing interests with Maryland’s congressional representatives and staff, and State legislature.

  • Represent Fisheries Service interests to the Department’s Natural Resources Police to ensure and improve enforceability of fishing rules and develop strategic enforcement initiatives.

  • Oversees the management of personnel and operating policies of the Unit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Ecology, Natural Resources, Coastal or Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, or other environmental related field.

Experience: Ten (10) years of experience in aquatic natural resource management Seven (7) years of this experience must be in the supervision of employees engaged in the management of aquatic resources that are managed for harvest, restoration and have direct economic impacts to the region through resource-dependent business.

Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Ecology, Natural Resources, Coastal or Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, or other environmental related field for the required general experience at the rate of two years of the required general experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience developing and directing statewide natural resource management programs that includes coordination with internal programs and federal, state, local, non-profit and private sector interests.
  • Experience facilitating, building consensus and informed consent, and making sound scientific decisions to implement natural resource management policies.
  • Experience interacting regularly with local and federal agencies, other DNR and state agency staff and leaders, members of the General Assembly and Federal Congressional representatives.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your minimum qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application before the announcement deadline or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Alexandra Gast at Alexandra.gast@maryland.gov

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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