***[Details of Developmental Assignment]{.underline}***

**1. Title of Assignment: Policy Level Review of the NOAA Fisheries
Northeast Region Research Set-Aside Grant Program**

**2. Level of Responsibility** (e.g., GS13, GS14, SES or equivalent pay
band): GS13/14

**3. Host Office** (if in NOAA, start with Line/Corporate Office down to
the lowest level - e.g., Division or Branch): NOAA Fisheries, Northeast
Region, State, Federal, and Constituent Programs Office, One Blackburn
Dr, Gloucester, MA 01930

**4. Timeframe** (expected start date, duration, any known time
dependencies): Negotiable, 3-4 months

**5. Assignment Description** (include goals/objectives/expected
outcomes): The NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Research Set-Aside
Grant Program is the only known Federal grant program nationwide to
obligate assets other than money. In this scenario, the Program
allocates the "authority to fish" (lbs of fish/shellfish/Days-at-Sea) in
locations and times that otherwise would not be possible (e.g., to take
advantage of market conditions and raise funds to pay for research and
compensate participating vessels) in the conduct of fishery
investigations to answer data needs for management of the Mid-Atlantic,
Atlantic Sea Scallop, and monkfish resources. The incumbent will
interview participating research institutions, fishery managers,
scientists, fishing industry participants, and governmental officials,
and analyze the strengths and weaknesses from policy, fiscal and public
relations perspectives, of this federal grants initiative as it now
exists, and recommend measures to improve the Program's performance and
attainment of associated fishery management objectives.

**6. Potential Benefit to LCDP Participant** (e.g., leadership
competencies/skills to be used - see list of OPM leadership competencies
at [www.opm.gov/ses/define.html](http://www.opm.gov/ses/define.html)):
This opportunity will emphasize the building of leadership competencies
in three key areas: first, "results driven (analyses)" to enhance the
accountability of limited Federal resources as they pertain to the
integrity of Program objectives, customer service, and the integration
of fishery management and research priorities in the NOAA Fisheries
Northeast Region; second, utilizing "business acumen" in the areas of
federal financial management and delivery of technological developments
to the commercial and recreational fishing industries; and third, in
"building coalitions" in the area of communications among fishery
managers, scientists, and the industry, and the associated needs for
maintaining/improving associated constituent partnerships and the role
of public relations in expounding the benefits and accomplishments of
this Federal Grant Program.

**7. Any other considerations, special requirements or comments**:
Utmost in accomplishing this assignment are tact, diplomacy and an
appreciation of the importance in the synergy between fishery management
and research in accomplishing the NOAA Fisheries mission.

***[Contact Information]{.underline}***

**8. Assignment Contact Person** (name and email address): Harold C.
Mears; harry.mears@noaa.gov

**9. Host Office Phone Number**: 978-281-9243

***Please send completed form to
[LCDP.ProgramManager@noaa.gov]{.underline}.***

***Thank you!***