Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator

Job Summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a full-time principal planner to lead the development of temporary and permanent rules pertaining to the fisheries-related administrative rulemaking and regulations process. This position provides planning expertise on the implementation of temporary and annual rules and regulations related to the Section of Fisheries within the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

This position coordinates the administrative process and leads the rulemaking engagement efforts with the public, DNR staff and other agencies. This position also provides expertise on current and proposed rules pertaining to the Section of Fisheries.

Responsibilities include:

• Direct, coordinate, and budget for the drafting, promulgation, and revision of rules administered by the Division principally regarding fishing seasons so they meet Division goals, comply with state and federal statutes and rules, and meet requirements of the Revisor of Statutes, State Register, Office of Administrative Hearings, Office of the Attorney General, and Department of Finance.
• Direct fishing-related permanent rulemaking development and review coordination for lakes and streams.
• Serve as the Fisheries Section annual rulemaking liaison to the DNR Information Center, and other internal and external stakeholders. Act as subject matter expert/content coordinator/liaison for online and/or print editions of the annual fishing regulations synopsis.
• Provide support to the Section and Division through other duties as assigned.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of planning and/or project management experience coordinating large programs or projects in outdoor recreation, natural resources / environmental management, fish and wildlife management, policy development, or public affairs / administration, or related field.

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in planning or project management, outdoor recreation, natural resource/environmental management, fish and wildlife management, policy/public administration, ecology, biology, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the above experience.

• Experience with implementation and evaluation of programs with regional or statewide scope.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in project management; integrating biological and social information; plain language writing and accessibility; and legislative/regulatory processes.
• Interpersonal, communication, and human relations skills sufficient to convey complex information to technical and non-technical audiences via verbal and written methods; navigate and resolve conflict; achieve cooperation with the public, peers, and staff; and to make progress on program objectives.
• Organizational skills and ability to direct and manage complex collaborative projects and ensure that process deadlines and procedural requirements are met, and projects are successfully completed.
• Demonstrated ability to follow extensive and detailed protocols and procedures and willingness to learn complex rulemaking processes.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic communications, presentation software, and document management (electronic and paper).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in planning or project management, outdoor recreation, natural resource/environmental management, fish and wildlife management, policy/public administration, ecology, biology, or closely related field.
• Experience drafting policy recommendations, administrative rules and statutory language for regulatory use.
• Experience and/or certifications in continuous improvement (i.e. Kaizen, Six Sigma). 
• Fisheries management experience at a regional or statewide level.
• Experience coordinating projects with regulatory agencies or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with state and tribal nation collaboration and treaty analyses.
• Experience in natural resource management working with diverse interest groups and conflicting objectives and/or incorporating traditional ecological knowledge or community-based knowledge.