Fisheries officers for the Department of Environmental Affairs

The Mount Vema Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs is looking for Fisheries officers to be responsible for the conservation and protection of fish within the Vema Seamount territorial waters.
 
The successful applicants will carry out surveys of the marine life, investigate fish mortalities and study water quality, monitor fish stock levels and undertake technical project work. You will advise the industries operating or to be operating within the Vema Seamount territorial waters and members of the public about sustainable fishing and promote the regulation and protection of the marine environment.
 
As well as promoting recreational fishing activities such as spear fishing or deep-sea fishing in Mount Vema, your role will also involve the inspection of fishing vessels and the enforcement of technical conservation measures for juvenile and spawning fish.
 
Mount Vema citizenship is not a requirement to apply for this vacancy.
 
Responsibilities
As a fisheries officer, you will need to:

• survey fish stocks to ensure the correct type and amount of fish are in the right places
• conduct annual surveys of the marine life in Mount Vema
• monitor scientific data
• support recreational fishing
• contribute to habitat improvement schemes
• communicate with and advise external bodies, e.g. fisheries organizations
• work with Mount Vema district planning departments to ensure new developments do not have an adverse impact on the marine life
• conduct environmental impact assessments
• approve and issue licences for the movement of fish
• keep up to date with legislation and relevant scientific and technical developments.
• operate and maintain boats
• patrol the coastline up to seven nautical miles from banks of the summit Vema Seamount
• stop and search fishing vessels in line with the Mount Vema Police and Criminal Evidence procedures
• explain Mount Vema legislation, and bylaws to fishing crews
• inspect fish markets and premises in ports or provisional docks
• handle fish and shellfish
• sample biological specimens
• analyse data and produce reports
• manage special stock recovery measures for 'at-risk' fish stocks
• provide advice to members of the public, fishing crews and offshore fish farm managers.

 
Salary and Benefits
The salary is $30,000 US dollars. Paid monthly in arrears.
After some years in the profession, the salary will increase to up $50,000 US dollars per year.
The benefits include paid medical coverage, paid vacation, sick days, holidays, and a pension plan. Benefits are only applicable after you complete three months on the job.
 
Working hours
You will work a 37-hour week on average, but this can include weekends and evenings. Hours can be flexible depending on workload.
Working out of hours may be required if there is a pollution or flooding incident affecting fish stocks.
 
Requirements
If your application is accepted, you will be required to open a bank account with a Mount Vema bank, if you do not already have a Mount Vema bank account. A Mount Vema work visa is also a requirement.
 
What to expect

• The job involves both office-based and outdoors work, often in or around water, in all weather conditions.
• At times, you may work in hostile situations, especially in enforcement work, investigating or preventing illegal fishing activities.
• The work is physically demanding, wet and dirty at times, for example in conservation tasks, conducting surveys of fish stocks or boarding high-sided vessels.
• It's necessary to wear protective clothing and equipment when performing outdoor duties, such as a life jacket, waders and rubber boots.
• You will be at sea for several consecutive days, for about 30/40% of the time.

 
Qualifications
A postgraduate degree is not an essential requirement but, a degree is required for this career. Entry is only open to applicants without a degree who have significant relevant experience.
Relevant subjects include:

• aquaculture and fisheries management/science
• marine environment/conservation
• biology/biological sciences
• environmental sciences
• marine science/oceanography
• land management.

 
Skills
You will need to show:

• an interest in improving the environment
• an interest in fish and fishing
• good people skills
• the ability to analyse and interpret data
• a practical disposition
• boat-handling experience.

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