Job Description

Commercial Fisheries & Marina Manager

THE COMMUNITY

The Ventura Port District is an Independent Special District within the City of Ventura. The District was established on April 8, 1952, by an election and majority vote of the citizens of Ventura. The beautiful coastal community of Ventura is considered one of the most desirable places to live, offering miles of beaches and oceanfront recreation. Encompassing diverse art, architecture and cultural heritage, Ventura is known for its friendly people and phenomenal climate. Surfers’ Point and historic Downtown (with shopping, music, and nightlife) are just a few of Ventura’s gems. For seaside fun, the Ventura Harbor offers more shops, restaurants, and family-friendly fun. Outdoor activities abound, including biking, hiking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, and more. More than a surf town, the City has an expansive, 800 acres of open, green space, a state-of-the-art aquatic center, an impressive 32 parks, and over 6,800 acres of agricultural land providing a variety of local crops such as strawberries, raspberries, lemons, and celery. The Ventura Botanical Gardens is a 107-acre world-class site with spectacular views of the California coastline. Ventura has a charming, small-town feel, along with a mix of more than 12,000 businesses and a City government committed to economic vitality. It’s not a surprise that companies like Patagonia, The Trade Desk, and XponentialWorks, are headquartered in the City.

THE POSITION

The Commercial Fisheries & Marina Manager is a newly established senior-level role. This position leads the Ventura Port District’s Marina Department with a focus on supporting commercial fishing operations at Ventura Harbor Village. The role combines cross-functional leadership in marina operations, tenant and vendor management, infrastructure oversight, and fisheries advocacy. The Manager serves as a key liaison with stakeholders and is responsible for lease and slip agreements, offloading coordination, and strategic planning to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. This position requires a proactive, fiscally responsible, and knowledgeable professional with strong organizational leadership and a deep understanding of the commercial fishing industry to ensure the Ventura Harbor remains a vital, accessible port for fisheries. Primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Managing daily operations of the Marina Department with a focus on commercial fisheries.


• Overseeing the Ventura Harbor Village Commercial Marina, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.


• Coordinating fish offloading logistics and related infrastructure support.


• Developing and executing shortand long-term strategic goals to support commercial fisheries.


• Leading the development, implementation, and monitoring of marina and fisheries-related capital improvement projects.


• Advocating for the interests of the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors locally, regionally, and statewide.


• Preparing and presenting reports, budgets, and recommendations to the General Manager and Board of Commissioners.


• Ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations, permits, and environmental standards.

PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES

• Initiating and managing contracts for maintenance and repair of marina and fisheries infrastructure.


• Overseeing vendor relationships, including competitive bidding, negotiations, and performance evaluations.


• Ensuring procurement procedures comply with District policies and public agency requirements.


• Coordinating with consultants and contractors on infrastructure development and repair projects.

TENANT RELATIONS

• Acting as primary liaison with commercial fishery tenants and commercial vessel operators.


• Negotiating and managing slip agreements, leases, and license agreements.


• Responding to and resolving tenant concerns and operational issues in a timely and professional manner.


• Fostering strong working relationships with stakeholders to promote collaborative harbor use.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and managing department budgets, including revenue forecasting and expenditure tracking.


• Overseeing billing and collections for commercial slips and lease agreements.


• Ensuring proper financial reporting and record-keeping practices are in place and adhered to.


• Recommending rate adjustments and capital improvement investments to the General Manager.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The District is seeking an empowered, involved, and inclusive leader to serve as the Commercial Fisheries & Marina Manager. The ideal candidate will be a bridge builder - someone who values being public facing while also mentoring and developing staff within the organization. The incumbent must have experience with property management of marinas; demonstrated experience working with or within the commercial fishing or maritime industry is strongly desired. This individual will bring comprehensive expertise in marina and harbor operations, with strong knowledge of marina infrastructure, environmental regulations, and project management. The ideal candidate is well versed in property, facility, and vendor oversight. This role includes overseeing several exciting new capital projects focused on advancing commercial fishing and aquaculture initiatives. It will be imperative for this person to effectively navigate organizational needs, including budget constraints, stakeholder input, and strategic partnerships.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strength in staff supervision and mentorship, while excelling at managing multiple complex projects with accuracy and a commitment to meeting deadlines. Equally important is the ability to foster a collaborative environment and a workplace culture that values teamwork, open communication, and input from all team members. The successful candidate will also bring a strong ability to build productive relationships with community members, partner agencies, and vendors.

Clear and effective communication across diverse audiences is essential, as is the ability to respond swiftly and thoughtfully in emergency situations. Experience navigating the public budgeting process and a balanced, solution-oriented approach to conflict resolution and stakeholder collaboration will be key to long-term success in this role.

Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Major coursework in business administration, marine operations, public administration or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years in a management level role, preferably in harbor, marina, or public agency operations; accompanied with five (5) years of experience in property or facility maintenance management; and five (5) years supervising staff in an operations, maintenance, or property management capacity. Certification in marina management, facilities management, or public procurement is a plus. A valid California Driver’s License is required.

COMPENSATION

The annual salary for the Commercial Fisheries & Marina Manager is $92,148 - $138,312; salary is dependent upon experience and qualifications. The District also offers a competitive benefits package including:

Health & Dental Insurance –

$725 monthly District contribution (up to $725)

$595 monthly Optional Benefit Program ($775 effective 1/1/26)

VSP Vision Plan (District contribution 100%)

Life Insurance –

One year salary + accidental death

Long Term Disability CalPERS –

2% @ 55 Miscellaneous- Classic Retirement (Employee contribution 7%)

2% @ 62 Miscellaneous-PEPRA – member after 1/2013 (Employee contribution 7.75%)

2% @ 55 Safety-Classic Retirement (Employee contribution 7%)

2% @ 57 Safety-PEPRA – member after 1/2013 (Employee contribution 11%)

Holidays –

12 plus two personal holidays

Vacation –

Less than 5 years of service 80 hours
5 – 10 years of service 120 hours
10+ years of service 160 hours

Sick Leave –

91 hours per year

Incentive Plans –

• Educational Incentive: $25 per pay period for full-time employees for one Associates degree; OR $50 per pay period for full-time employees for one Bachelor’s degree; OR $75 per pay period for full-time employees for one Master’s degree or higher.


• Bilingual Incentive: $25 per pay period for full-time employees who test as basic/semi-fluent in reading and writing OR listening and speaking at an English/Spanish level; OR $50 per pay period for full-time employees who test as basic/semi-fluent in reading and writing AND listening and speaking at an English/Spanish level; OR $75 per pay period for full-time employees who test as fluent in reading and writing AND listening and speaking at an English/Spanish level.


• Notary Pay: $25 per pay period for full-time employees that meet the certification requirements and only perform services for the Ventura Port District.


• Fitness/Wellness Cost Reimbursement: Up to $300 per calendar year for full-time employees for gym and/or aquatics membership.

Optional Employee Funded Benefits –

• AFLAC


• CalPERS Long Term Care


• Legal Shield


• Two 457 Plans (No employee match)

TO APPLY

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please apply online at:

Filing Deadline:

September 5, 2025

Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the

qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to personal interviews with Bob Murray & Associates. A select group of candidates will be asked to provide references once it is anticipated that they may be recommended as finalists. References will be contacted only following candidate approval. Finalist interviews will be held with the Ventura Port District. Candidates will be advised of the status of the recruitment following selection of the Commercial Fisheries & Marina Manager.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Ms. Yasmin Beers at: (916) 784-9080

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