NC DEQ Division Director of Marine Fisheries

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is hiring a Division Director of Marine Fisheries to lead the state agency responsible for management and conservation of North Carolina coastal and marine fisheries. The position is full-time, classified as Environmental Division Director (NS) at Grade NC25 and is exempt from certain provisions of the State Human Resources Act (GS 126). The role serves at the pleasure of agency leadership and is based on-site at the DMF Director Office in Morehead City, Carteret County.

The Director leads the Division strategic direction, budget, staff, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective implementation of state and federal fisheries laws, regulations, and Fishery Management Plans. The role coordinates with the Marine Fisheries Commission, the General Assembly, federal partners (NOAA Fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council), commercial and recreational fishing industries, conservation organisations, tribal partners, and the public.

Day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the Division programmes in fisheries management, fisheries research, habitat protection, enforcement, and licensing; managing senior leadership and Division staff across multiple offices and field sites; representing the Department before the Marine Fisheries Commission and legislative committees; making science-informed regulatory recommendations; preparing budget requests and managing federal grants; and ensuring transparent, equitable engagement with diverse coastal communities and stakeholders.

Required qualifications include extensive experience in fisheries management, natural resource policy, or related government leadership; demonstrated executive-level management of complex programmes with significant scientific, regulatory, and political dimensions; deep familiarity with state and federal fisheries law and the Atlantic state-federal management framework; strong public speaking, written communication, and stakeholder negotiation skills; and a graduate degree in fisheries, marine science, public administration, or a related field is preferred. The position requires the ability to travel within North Carolina and to attend state-federal meetings as needed.

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Original posting: https://nc.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/NC_Careers/job/Carteret-County-NC/NC-DEQ-Division-Director-of-Marine-Fisheries_JR-114478