Assistant Consultant

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
The Assistant Consultant is the primary coordinator and point of contact for this unique legislative body. Responsibilities include: executing all administrative and statutory requirements and functions of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture; regular engagement with stakeholders, local government leaders, and agency staff; tracking fisheries and aquaculture issues, including management, conservation, and water/drought policy matters is a must; perform the statutorily mandated functions of the Joint Committee; attend fisheries and aquaculture management and policy meetings & hearings; organize multiple policy hearings on fisheries and aquaculture issues annually, including the annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum; and assisting with fishery and natural resource legislation as required.

DUTIES:
The Assistant Consultant serves as the primary staff contact with fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders, fielding inquiries and gathering information on a wide variety of policy issues and subjects. The Assistant Consultant works closely with the Chair and staff to coordinate policy and communications issues, working closely in a team environment at times and completely independently in many circumstances. The Assistant Consultant is an active participant in multiple fisheries and aquaculture policy meetings.

Maintaining strong working relationships with members of the Committee and their staff, the fleet, fishery associations, conservation organization representatives, and agency staff and serving as an issue expert on the legislative process in many public policy venues is critically important. The Assistant Consultant takes a highly active role in the annual cycles of fisheries and aquaculture policy development at the Joint Committee, including organizing policy hearings and working with the Chair to coordinate the development of the annual Fish Omnibus legislation.