Quota Management Specialist

DHRM•Hampton, VA

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 serves as a key link between the commercial fishing industry and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), acting 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 on permitting and transfers and oversees striped bass ITQ tag acquisition, distribution, and auditing. The role maintains real-time records of commercial quota use for Virginia-managed species, administers quota and licensing programs, and works with fishery management staff and interstate and federal partners. The specialist may also present quota or species-licensing information at Commission meetings and advisory committee meetings.

Requirements

A 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.
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively 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, organizations, and 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 Virginia state-quota-managed species landed in Virginia.
Administer Virginia’s commercial striped bass ITQ program, including harvester transfers and accounting for commercial tags.
Administer striped bass ITQ tag distribution 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 annual compliance reports for 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 Virginia summer flounder endorsement license transfers, ensuring regulatory requirements are met before issuance.
Present quota- or species-licensing-related information at agency meetings, including monthly full Commission meetings and advisory committee meetings, when directed.