Science Advisor/Quota Manager

Job Title: Science Advisor/Quota Manager

Organization: Alaska Groundfish Data Bank, Inc

Reports to: Owner/Executive Director, Julie Bonney

Location: Main Office in Kodiak, Alaska. Remote work is possible for well-qualified candidates, but candidates must live in Alaska and be willing to travel.

Alaska Groundfish Data Bank, Inc (AGDB) is a unique co-management organization located in Kodiak, Alaska representing Gulf of Alaska (GOA) shoreside trawl vessels and processors who participate in several of Alaska’s groundfish fisheries. AGDB focuses on the contributions of its members to local fisheries and their impacts to Kodiak, a year-round fishing community and one of the top ports in the US for fish landings.  Kodiak is unique among GOA ports because trawl fisheries make up the bulk of the community’s annual fishery landings. One of AGDB’s strengths is its ability to collaborate with community governments, governmental agencies and policy makers using sound science-based decision making. AGDB also advocates for its members before the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and to a more limited extent, the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF).  In addition to its role representing the trawl sector in the community, AGDB is the Rockfish Cooperative manager for the five Kodiak shoreside Rockfish Program (RP) Cooperatives and it participates in numerous fisheries cooperative research projects. AGDB’s staff is a small team and currently includes the Executive Director and Assistant Director, while we look for a Science Advisor/Quota Manager.

Job Description:

The Science Advisor/Quota Manager position requires engagement with researchers, agency staff, and stakeholders on complex and sometimes controversial scientific issues. They will use their professional expertise to develop and provide scientific advice for cooperative research projects to address data gaps and innovative solutions to groundfish management issues. As a part of the AGDB team, the individual will address the science/analytical elements of Alaska groundfish management issues and educate decision makers on the practicalities of any management decisions for the fleet. Travel is required for meetings, conferences, workshops, and occasional work on member vessels and within processing plants to better understand operations and the working environment.

The incumbent will also manage the rockfish cooperatives and other trawl fisheries including pollock. Quota management requires careful planning, close interaction with fishing vessels and processing companies, and acute attention to detail to ensure that fisheries are prosecuted effectively. Depending on qualifications, the individual hired may play a role in AGDB’s public communications and outreach at scientific, local, state, or federal committee meetings and forums.

Science Advisor Duties:

• Review, summarize, and critique research reports and analysis documents that support management of the Alaska groundfish fisheries with wider national and international contexts, and address issues affecting AGDB members.
• Drawing on scientific expertise and knowledge from AGDB members/operators, develop analyses using internal data to help evaluate the impacts of management actions on members and fishery sustainability.
• Lead and support industry cooperative research on fishery issues including bycatch, gear innovation, ESA species management, habitat and monitoring in the Alaska groundfish fisheries. This includes writing grant applications, spending time on vessels and in processing plants for fieldwork, and/or collaboration with other partners to meet research goals.
• Compile AGDB weekly fishery updates using NMFS fishery data reports.
• Assist NMFS in-season management with Central GOA groundfish management issues.
• Review and track annual groundfish stock assessment processes.

Quota Manager Duties:

• Rockfish Cooperative Management including:
  • Dynamic monitoring of fleet data through accurate and timely accounting of co-op and member harvests, prohibited species catches (PSC) and account balances as well as ownership, harvest, co-op and processing caps.
  • Frequent communication with members/vessel operators to perform transfers, check ins/outs, and adhere to all reporting requirements.
  • Draft annual Cooperative Quota Applications and associated documents.

• Day to day management/monitoring of other trawl fisheries including:
  • Respond to questions about fishery operations from regulators and about regulations from members/vessel operators.
  • Monitor quotas, track fishery harvests and PSC.
  • Draft and manage industry generated voluntary catch share agreements when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education – College degree or relevant experience.
• Fisheries Experience –Familiarity with Alaska commercial fisheries and regulatory agencies.
• Analytical skills – Ability to conceptualize the scope of a question and develop approaches for comprehensive analyses. Acquire, organize, and analyze data to solve a problem.
• Excellent written and oral communicator – Ability to write clearly and succinctly, skilled in making effective oral presentations and communicating complex issues to non-technical audiences.
• Computer skills – Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Personal Attributes – A team player, enthusiastic and a positive attitude, self-motivated, problem solver, ability to interact well with our team, our members, and the general public.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education – Masters of Science in fisheries management, marine biology, or other applicable field.
• Fisheries Experience – Experience or education in fisheries management, stock modeling processes and research. Work experience on commercial fishing vessels or with a seafood processing company.
• Analytical skills – Experience developing applied research projects to create useful data and analyses for innovative fishery management changes.
• Computer Skills – Programming skills.
• Interpersonal skills – Experience leading or supporting projects with multidisciplinary groups including researchers, managers, and stakeholders.

AGDB is looking for an individual that will provide the best mix of skills to complete our team. Not every skill or attribute listed is necessary to meet the job requirements, just a good mix that compliments the present skills of our team.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range $65,000 to $110,000, depending upon experience. AGDB offers paid vacation, a health care stipend and generous contributions to a safe harbor profit sharing 401(k) retirement plan. A minimum of $2,500 will be authorized for moving expenses to Kodiak. This is a full-time position with the potential for additional seasonal flexibility regarding work location, hours, and days.