*This position is Exempt Policymaking and is EXEMPT from certain provisions of the State Human Resources Act (GS 126). This position serves at the pleasure of agency leadership. *

This position leads a statewide fisheries management division by setting strategic goals and objectives that ensure compliance with state and federal program requirements. The Director of Marine Fisheries is responsible for overseeing the Deputy Director of Operations, the Deputy Director of Fisheries Science and Management, two Executive Assistant for Councils positions and the Marine Patrol Colonel to ensure effective management of statewide marine resources and enforcement operations.

The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Director Office is in Morehead City, North Carolina. The position includes conservation and overall management of living marine organisms through research and data collection as modified by relevant social, economic, and biological factors. This is done in the utilization of a variety of methods, including but not limited to regulating harvesting, habitat enhancement, water quality monitoring for molluscan shellfish harvesting, setting of catch limits and seasons, and seafood safety inspections of processing and distribution facilities.

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Management and administration of all aspects of DMF Operations and Services with responsibility and accountability for all division operations that are required to fulfill its primary purpose, including all resource-related decisions and policies and oversight of administrative programs associated with a state agency.
• Preparation and submission of the annual DMF budget of over $43.7 million for approval.
• Providing operational and organizational planning to include the development and implementation effective and efficient strategies to ensure DMF accomplishes assigned goals and objectives for the governance of rules resources, the protection and enhancement of coastal fisheries habitat, the development and improvement of the cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, and safeguarding the public health concerning the sale and consumption of shellfish; and the licensing and permitting of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and all charter fishing operations, ocean piers, and seafood dealers operating in North Carolina.
• Ensuring state compliance with all applicable federal regulations and laws concerning marine fisheries resource conservation.
• Representing the State of NC on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council as the State Administrative Commissioner.
• Serves as the senior Department representative to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission. Provides technical support to the Commission. Leads and supervises staff in their conduct of research, monitoring, and statistical analysis to inform rulemaking and management decisions. Directs the preparation and amendment of fisheries management plans for adoption by the Commission, ensuring that regulations are based upon scientific data.

The work schedule for this position may require working beyond normal work schedule to meet the business need.