Halfway point!

Hello everyone!

 

Things have been moving very fast for me in DC.  The past several months I have focused on writing and communication intensive tasks.  I have several accomplishments to let you in on and then I will share with you what I have learned about phasing out of Knauss and progressing into the next phase of my career. I am at the half-way point of my fellowship and am concerned with what comes next?

 

 I have been involved in the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution system for the nation’s fisheries management program.  Through this process I have been able to impact future projects in NOAA. The system is similar to the proposal writing process: identify the need and goal, design appropriate projects, and request resources for your program and team members.  The better the business case, the more likely your proposal will gain traction. The process moves up the food chain from the program, to NOAA, to the Department of Commerce, to the President, and then finally to Congress.  There are many hurdles a proposal needs to navigate before it is ‘executed’ in a budget.  In my case I am working on 2011-15 out years.  I have seen several of my projects move forward in the process but there are several years and to go before they are realized.  I have had the opportunity to meet with other offices to coordinate projects; teamwork is the key.  The perspective I have been seeking during this fellowship is clearly linked to budget process.  From headquarters to each region the funding starts here.

 

I have participated in the public release of the 2007 Status of US Fisheries Report to Congress.  As a coauthor of this document I was able to follow the document through the public rollout process.  I participated in developing the language and figures within the document but additionally I was involved in selecting the cover, working with the printers, and distribution of the document.  I accompanied Acting Administrator of NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Jim Balsiger, to the House and Senate Office Buildings to brief Congress prior to the report’s public release.  I participated in press conferences and even fielded several telephone interviews myself with National Reporters including AP and Christian Science monitor.  It was nice to be considered an expert on the report and to represent NMFS.  I found this process satisfying.  We had worked as a team to release a document that created much interest. 

 

I am beginning to write Federal Register Notices.  These notices are NMFS way of communicating openly with the public about proposed rules, final rules, guidance for councils, stock status changes, and other actions.  The documents I am working on can officially start the clock for management action ‘timelines’ at the regional council level and in some cases are mandated by acts of congress.  The verbiage of these documents is both precise and concise.  Several levels of clearance are needed to clear a notice for publication including edits by lawyers and regulatory experts.  I am eager to gain this writing experience and to continue learning about the management decision making process. 

 

August 1^st is the official start of job hunting season for Knauss Fellows.  I have heard of one fellow who has already landed a job.  It is not uncommon for fellows to leave prior to the Jan. 31^st end of the fellowship.  Sea Grant promotes the August 1^st job hunting season and will not consider you a Fellow if you leave before you have completed 6 months of the fellowship.  This fellowship has helped me to narrow down my career path.  I have gained unbelievable perspective on fisheries and fisheries management.  I cannot wait to see where this next 6 months of this experience takes me.  I hope that when I return to Alaska I can apply this knowledge and these skills to be effective in managing the fisheries resources.