Washington Sea Grant (WSG) has an outstanding opportunity for a Fisheries Specialist to develop and coordinate strategies that advance the safety, economic resilience and social and environmental sustainability of Washington’s fisheries and seafood sectors.
The Fisheries Specialist will promote collaborations among a diverse group of constituents and partners to deliver applied research, technical assistance, informational materials, and training that support best practices for safe and sustainable fisheries and seafood operations. The position will have state-wide responsibilities, but with an emphasis on the needs of fisheries-dependent communities on Washington’s Pacific Coast. The supervisor for the position is the team lead of the Fisheries and Boating Programs.
Responsibilities:
The Fisheries Specialist leads projects and programs that engage diverse constituents and partners to deliver applied research, technical assistance, informational materials, and training related to fisheries and seafood. The Fisheries Specialist does not supervise staff but may direct or oversee the work of student employees, interns or volunteers.
Specific Duties Include:
- Develop and facilitate workshops, safety and technical skills trainings, focus groups and public meetings that support Washington’s fishing and seafood sectors.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with the fishing fleets, and seafood-related businesses; tribal, federal and state fisheries management agencies; and commercial associations and NGOs engaged in relevant issues.
- Develop, lead and collaborate with partners on outreach and technical assistance programs to address priority challenges and achieve WSG objectives.
- Contribute ideas and content information for outreach materials that convey important facts about fisheries and seafood to consumers and key intermediary audiences.
- Conduct community-based needs assessments to determine priority challenges to the social, economic and environmental sustainability faced by the commercial fishing fleets and the seafood industry, and apply the information to develop WSG objectives and strategies that meet those challenges.
- Serve on in-state and regional advisory bodies in capacities that support WSG’s mission and goals where needed
- Participate as a team member in WSG interdisciplinary projects that address coastal community needs related to fisheries and seafood.
- Conduct program evaluations and use the information to improve future program strategies and activities. i) Participate in WSG’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion community of practice.
Other Duties Include
Collaborate in research projects that generate information, technological or gear innovations, or improved practices that advance the safety, economic success and sustainability of commercial fisheries in Washington.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in an academic field with applications to fisheries practices, fisheries management, environmental sustainability, seafood handling and safety, seafood marketing or economics.
- A minimum of four years of professional (post degree) work experience that demonstrates both the ability to communicate research, education or outreach results that are directly applicable to fisheries or the seafood industry and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in fisheries and seafood business sectors. The successful applicant will be an AMSEA trained safety instructor or be willing to become AMSEA certified within 1 year of employment.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Desired
Knowledge of commercial and tribal fisheries of the Pacific Northwest. Experience working in a commercial or tribal fishery, seafood processing or marketing company or another fishery-related business or organization. Ability to work full time from an office location in Westport or Ilwaco Washington.
