Aquarium Maintenance Specialist at Orchard LLC in Hilo, Hawaii

Job Description:

Aquarium Maintenance Specialist

Hilo, HI




@Orchard LLC is actively seeking to engage an experienced Aquarium Maintenance Specialist in support of NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The work is located at the PMNM site in Hilo, HI.

As the Aquarium Maintenance Specialist, you will:

• Perform tasks such as maintaining open- and closed-system marine aquaria (including appropriate quarantine and medication procedures) for purposes of collecting and maintaining living specimens for subsequent research and public display.
• Maintain all aquaria systems and components, including organization, collection and husbandry for additional marine species.
• Collect live fish and invertebrate specimens, including rare endemic fish for subsequent research and public display using SCUBA.
• Maintain status as a NOAA Diver.
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to support and educate about living displays and other MDC education activities.
• Perform aquaria upkeep, such as tank restoration, daily and weekly cleaning, and repair.
• Develop schedules, documentation, and protocols for aquatic nutrients, disease prevention, and other tank maintenance-related inventories. Continually refine and update procedures and documentation for operation and maintenance of aquaria systems, and review these with the manager.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and interns to develop and implement vibrant educational programs that highlight the facilities and aquaria.
• Instruct a monthly class to the public on the topic of aquarium setup, maintenance, and associated marine concepts.
• Provide management of emergency situations related to extreme weather, power outages, tsunamis, earthquakes, and flooding to protect life support systems. Emergency planning.
• Work with other MDC team members to plan and support activities and events at the facility. Support outreach staff with high volume outreach activities as an additional education support staff.

Your background will include the following.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university with an emphasis in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Zoology, or related field. (Four to six (4-6) years of job-related experience in the aquarium industry or related field may be substituted for education requirement).
• Two to four (2-4) years of experience with large (greater than 1,500 gallons) and small saltwater aquarium construction, setup, maintenance, and upkeep.
• Experience with aquatic organism welfare and marine animal husbandry processes.
• Knowledge of the biological processes of marine vertebrates and invertebrates.
• In-depth knowledge of aquarium life support components, function, and repairs
• Understanding of quarantine processes and protocols.
• Knowledge of filtration systems, tank cycling, marine life diet, and behavior.
• Familiarity with concepts and use of aquatic medications for disease treatment.
• Familiarity with and care for tropical fish and marine organisms native to and living in the sanctuary or monument.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate and plan with others.
• Must be skilled in developing and delivering effective public presentations and programs.
• Proficiency with common personal computer office software. Basic carpentry skills, glasswork, acrylic and fiberglass repair, aquarium plumbing, and equipment installation.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must be SCUBA certified (NAUI, PADI, etc.) and meet the standards established by the program's diver certification process (which meets the standards set by the American Academy of Underwater Science) and maintain the standards throughout duration of employment.
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted to assist with the transporting of equipment and gear.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain medical clearance to work on NOAA research vessels or other appropriate vessels and for NOAA diving requirements and maintain the clearance throughout duration of employment.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC, also known as, Talent Orchard has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com. Apply Now