Quota Management Specialist

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Hampton, VA

4d•$53,000 - $57,000

About The Position

The Quota Management Specialist monitors, audits, and manages Virginia’s commercial seafood harvest allocations to ensure compliance with state and federal catch limits. The position is a key connection between the commercial fishing industry and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), and serves as the primary contact for Virginia’s Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs, including striped bass and black sea bass. The specialist is the primary liaison for vessel owners and seafood dealers regarding permitting and transfers, and directly oversees striped bass ITQ tag acquisition, dispersal, and auditing. The role also manages commercial quota utilization data, licensing and endorsement transfers, and related program administration. It assists fisheries management staff with evaluations and compliance reports, works with interstate and federal partners on quota transfers, and may present quota or licensing information at agency and advisory committee meetings.

Requirements

Degree in Marine Science, Fisheries Management, Biology, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of education.
Demonstrated communication skills and excellent organizational ability.
Ability to work independently.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and work with peers, the fishing industry, and the public.
Must hold or be able to obtain a valid Virginia driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers from other agencies and organizations, as well as stakeholders including the fishing industry.
Extensive knowledge of fish species and fisheries of Virginia and the Atlantic Coast.
Willingness to travel and work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities

Maintain precise, real-time data on commercial quota utilization for commercial species landed in Virginia that are managed under a Virginia state quota.
Administer Virginia’s commercial striped bass ITQ program, including transfers between harvesters and accounting for commercial tags.
Administer striped bass ITQ tag dispersal and retrieval, including coordinating with manufacturers on product quality, organizing staff to sort and distribute tags, and auditing returned tags at the end of each fishing year.
Administer Virginia’s commercial black sea bass ITQ program.
Assist fisheries management staff with fisheries evaluations and yearly compliance reports related to quota-managed species.
Ensure harvesters and seafood buyers meet permitting requirements for limited-entry fisheries.
Manage Virginia’s commercial hook-and-line licensing program, including tracking harvest and license transfers.
Work with interstate and federal partners to assist Divisional Leadership with species-specific quota transfers between states.
Evaluate and process transfers of Virginia summer flounder endorsement licenses, ensuring compliance with baseline regulatory requirements before issuance.
Present quota- or species-licensing-related information at agency meetings, including monthly full commission meetings and advisory committees, as directed.