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Overview:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

The Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) empowers fishermen and other fisheries users to bring their voice, experience, and perspective into the federal fisheries science and management process. Delivered annually through either two 3-day workshops, or a single 5-day workshop, MREP engages 20-30 fishing industry members with 15-20 fisheries researchers and managers in a neutral setting. Originally developed in New England by members of the fishing industry, MREP ardently maintains its ‘by fishermen, for fishermen’ ethos via industry-based regional steering committees, planning teams, program principals, and session moderators. GMRI administers and facilitates MREP, working alongside these regional partners as well as staff from NOAA Fisheries and the Regional Fishery Management Councils.

The MREP Aquaculture Project Manager will oversee all aspects of GMRI’s role in administering, facilitating, and delivering two aquaculture-focused versions of MREP. The program has two components: a field trip to a region with a diverse aquaculture industry so participants can see and understand the operational side of the sector, and a 4-day management workshop during which participants will learn how aquaculture is managed in federal waters.

Vital to the success of the program are the industry-based steering committee and planning teams for the program that guide program development and ensure program objectivity and relevance. The program manager will collaborate closely with these partners, facilitating the activity of the industry-based steering committee, meeting in person once a year. Smaller planning teams (subsets of the full steering committees) meet virtually throughout the year. Together, the steering committees and planning teams develop program curriculums and workshop agendas, identify presenters, recruit participants, and develop exercises, such as role-plays, interactive activities, and field trips.

The position is based at GMRI in Portland, Maine, and will require travel to attend the field trips, management workshops, and steering committee meetings.

The MREP Aquaculture Project Manager will report to the MREP Director and work closely with GMRI Aquaculture Manager. This position has two years of funding with the potential of additional funding within the Community department.

Responsibilities/Tasks:

Facilitate Steering Committee and planning team meetings:

Coordinate and facilitate annual steering committee meetings to

• Agree on high-level objectives for program
• Agree on location and timing of program elements
• Identify topics to cover
• Solicit ideas for presenters

Facilitate planning team calls to plan the field tour and management workshops

• Agenda development
• Identification and invitation of speakers
• Recruitment of workshop moderators
• Development/refinement of hands-on educational activities/role play exercises
• Speaker preparation discussions
• Recruitment of participants
• Execute post-workshop activities, which includes writing thank you letters and inputting evaluations

*Oversee application process for participants *

• Draft program announcement
• Publicize opportunity
• Support planning team to review and accept applicants
• Communicate with applicant pool about status
• Manage and document process through Salesforce

Plan, coordinate, and attend field tour

• Partnering with GMRI staff, planning team, and local industry leaders, identify and contact farms for site visits
• Plan detailed trip itinerary, ensuring adequate time between site visits
• Arrange all lodging and meals
• Arrange transportation (e.g. van rental)
• Work with MREP operations team to arrange contracts, payments, etc.
• Be available to trouble-shoot and problem solve during tour

*Plan & support management workshop: *

• Finalize agenda
• Work with MREP operations team to handle logistics, such as venue, hotels, meals, transportation for participants; Finalize details with presenters: Set deadlines for presentations, preparation calls
• Assemble briefing book with presentations, background information, and other resources as identified by the planning team
• Attend workshop and support moderators
• Execute post-workshop activities, which includes writing thank you letters and inputting evaluations

Contribute to MREP metric tracking, in support of MREP Senior Program Manager:

• Collect/track MREP-related stories, particularly from alumni experience in research or management,
• Track metrics in support of MREP impact analyses,
• Prepare meeting reports and post-workshop communication.

Participate in and contribute to broader Community Department meetings and activities as well as GMRI meetings and activities.