Program Manager, Aquaculture & Blue Tech - Aquaculture

Our team is growing! We are hiring a Program Manager (Aquaculture) to help advance strategic priorities and develop new opportunities to expand the Port of San Diego's Aquaculture program.

In 2015, the Port established its Aquaculture & Blue Technology (AQ/BT) Department, recognizing the growth opportunities of the blue economy sector and its strategic position within one of the world's leading Blue Technology clusters. In 2016, within the AQ/BT Department, the Port created its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) to assist in the creation, development and scaling of new water-dependent business ventures in and around San Diego Bay. Through its BEI, the Port has been seeking innovative pilot project proposals to inform present and future Port challenges and opportunities focusing on aquaculture, coastal resilience, environmental remediation, nature-based solutions, and marine technology (https://www.portofsandiego.org/waterfront-development/blue-economy).

Since its inception, the AQ/BT Department has been conducting planning and pre-development work to inform environmental and economic opportunities in the aquaculture and Blue Technology sectors in and around San Diego Bay. In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NOAA, NOS-NCCOS), a series of coastal marine spatial planning analyses were conducted, including a constraints and opportunities analysis, followed by a sensitive habitat interactions analysis to inform a variety of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture opportunities in and around San Diego Bay (Balancing Conflict and Opportunity - Spatial Planning of Shellfish and Macroalgae Culture Systems in a Heavily Trafficked Maritime Port). Other studies included a land-based feasibility assessment to identify space and infrastructure needed to support landside aquaculture operations, and baseline water quality and shellfish health assessments to demonstrate areas suitable for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture operations.

The Program Manager-Aquaculture position requires a proactive and motivated individual with strong project management; creative and critical thinking skills; a foundational understanding of aquaculture operations, best management practices, permitting and leasing; and the ability to multi-task across several projects in a diverse Port environment. The position will work directly with others on the AQ/BT team and collaborate actively with various internal departments, as well as with external partners, stakeholders, organizations, and the public.

The Program Manager-Aquaculture will be responsible for leading programmatic planning initiatives for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture in and around San Diego Bay, support aquaculture related business proposals and pilot projects as part of the Port's BEI, review and apply technical recommendations, and contribute to overall strategic planning and continuous program development including:

• Promoting the development of the aquaculture program through improved partnerships, strategic planning, regulatory streamlining, technology transfer, best practices, health testing administration, and identification of funding opportunities;
• Coordinating outreach activities and fostering relationships with stakeholders and partners to improve efficiency and effectiveness of aquaculture planning initiatives, permitting processes and public understanding of aquaculture issues and opportunities;
• Preparing appropriate aquaculture material and information for internal and external communications with stakeholders and partners;

• Reviewing and providing comments on proposed aquaculture-related policy, legislation, and regulations at the local, state, and federal level;
• Providing input on aquaculture project proposals or permit applications; and
• Leading a variety of specialized aquaculture studies to support programmatic planning initiatives for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture, coordinating with consultants or contractors as needed.

Desirable skills and knowledge candidates should possess:

• Critical strategic thinking skills, excellent relationship management skills with a proven ability to create and maintain long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry influencers, and businesses related to aquaculture.
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national regulatory landscape for aquaculture permitting, leasing at the state and federal level, with particular emphasis on California.
• Knowledge of relevant regional, national, and international health testing regulations related to shellfish and seaweed aquaculture and how they are applied in California and along west coast United States.
• Familiarity or experience with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and any other relevant environmental impact report/statement, assessment, or review processes.
• Familiarity or experience with land and/or ocean-based marine aquaculture industry farming practices (hatchery, nursery, grow-out, harvesting, processing, recirculating aquaculture systems, etc.), with emphasis on shellfish and seaweed preferred.
• Proven track record of managing programs, projects, or similar work within the aquaculture, environmental, and/or climate resiliency sectors.
• Experience interacting with regulators, government, industry, and academia to plan and/or coordinate research and development activities, or special studies to support long term planning initiatives (aquaculture or environmental industry preferred but not required).
• Familiarity or experience with public-public/public-private partnerships.
• Ability to excel in fast-paced innovative environments, adept at fostering collaborations and forging connections among diverse stakeholders.
• Proven attention to detail and the capability to concurrently manage multiple initiatives.