Please see the following website for full job posting and application link: http://employment.wwu.edu/cw/en-us/job/496433/aquarium-manager
Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Closing: February 8, 2019.
About WWU
Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 83,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
About the Department
SEA Discovery Center through the Extended Education Department at Western Washington University support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
Located on Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA, the SEA Discovery Center is a public aquarium and marine science center, where visitors of all ages immerse themselves in the wonders of local marine life and ecosystems. The SEA Discovery Center inspires lifelong learning and a deeper connection to the marine environment through public aquarium exhibits, school field trips, educational programs, a vibrant volunteer program, and environmental stewardship projects involving the community. Previously known as the Poulsbo Marine Science Center, the facility has recently come under oversight of Western Washington University’s Extended Education. Although the Center’s name has changed, the vision and mission of the Center as an environmental educational resource for the region’s community and K-12 students remains the same. In fact, WWU aspires to expand the reach of the Center, the scope of STEM education taking place there, and the numbers of students and community members served. The Center’s facilities include a 3-story main building (footprint 24,000 sq. ft.) with fresh and saltwater aquarium exhibits, classrooms, and theater, outdoor grounds and parking lot, and floating boathouse classroom. Please see our website at www.wwu.edu/sea.
About the Position
The Aquarium Manager is the leader of the SEA Discovery Center’s public aquarium located in Poulsbo, Washington, and is responsible for the appearance, upkeep, planning, and longevity of exhibits, associated life support systems, water quality, collection and husbandry of all organisms, compliance with animal care policies and standards, and training/managing associated staff and volunteers. This is a hands-on working manager position and requires strong leadership and technical abilities. Due to the nature of working with live organisms, the successful candidate must be available for emergency response after hours including weekends.
Duties/tasks:
Exhibit care and animal husbandry: Ensures husbandry of live organism’s 7-days a week, and excellent condition of exhibits and supporting areas:
- Establishes and adjusts protocols for and performs all aspects of husbandry, including habitat (tank) conditions, animal feeding and care. Live organisms include: fish, invertebrates, seaweeds, seagrasses.
- Interacts with consultant veterinarians for 24/7 care, as needed.
- Manages condition of food preparation room and food and aquarium equipment/supply storage areas.
- Develops ways to increase efficiency in aquarium design and ease of maintenance.
- Establishes procedures and maintains processes in compliance with WWU, state, federal, and industry standards for collecting, transporting, and caring for aquatic organisms (marine/freshwater, temperate/tropical)
- Ensures that animal food, tank equipment, and supplies are ordered and stocked appropriately
- Works with appropriate staff to plan and improve exhibits (including interpretive signage) and increase recognition of the aquarium.
- Coordinates with SEA’s Education and Science staff to integrate scientific content and educational program needs into aquarium exhibits.
- Collaborate with SEA staff and/or similar and complementary organizations and departments to develop new exhibits and increase diversity of collections.
- Develop interpretive signage, and interactive/informational displays.
- Work with SEA Discovery Center and WWU Extended Education staff to prepare press releases, social media posts, and other forms of communication to promote the aquarium’s exhibits and organisms and share engaging information about the aquatic environment.
- Train and manage animal and aquarium care team members (staff and volunteers) to assure compliance with established standards and protocols.
- Interact with public aquarium visitors, provide programs
Monitor and ensure quality of the seawater and freshwater systems for the aquarium exhibit composition:
- Measure, record, and monitor water quality parameters in all exhibits.
- Perform routine system backwashes and water changes to maintain water quality.
- Conduct daily inspections and operation of all equipment involved with the intake and circulation of the sea- and fresh- water systems, including troubleshooting any issues and notifying when repairs are needed. This includes electric motors and pumps, chillers, tanks, and filtration units, with an understanding of the valve arrangements and all aspects of their controls and operations.
Plans, prepares, coordinates, and leads collection trips and manages collections and exhibit composition:
- Conducts a quarterly assessment of animal collection needs for science, education, and aquarium.
- Prepare and submit required applications and annual report for WA State scientific animal collection permit and required transport/transfer permits.
- Maintain logs of animal collections and changes in exhibit composition
- Request, monitor, and coordinate collections by sub-permit holders, including Shannon Point Marine Center staff.
- Ensure safety and well-being of volunteers and staff on collection trips.
- Establish and follow protocols for collection, transport, and acclimation of animals to exhibits Develop purposeful, compatible combinations of organisms in each exhibit.
- Maintains exhibits for visitor viewing and appearance (includes signage).
Required Qualifications
- B.A./B.S. degree in aquatic sciences, biology, or related field or commensurate experience in a professional work environment (e.g. aquarium or marine center)
- Detailed knowledge of the biology of a large variety of fishes, invertebrates, and other major taxon and familiarity with resources and tools for researching information
- Hands-on experience with aquatic animal husbandry in a professional aquarium or aquaculture setting
- Excellent observation and communication skills
- Understanding of aquarium life support systems, seawater systems, swimming pool and/or irrigation systems, pumps, aerators, chillers, and other aquarium equipment
- Experience developing and implementing animal or like protocols and keeping log records.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ethics that generate and sustain a positive team atmosphere and professional environment
- Self-starter and demonstrates ability to prioritize, manage time well, and learn quickly in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
- Possess trouble shooting skills and work effectively under pressure and emergency situations.
- Proficient in the use of computers including skills with Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Agile and capable of performing physical labor, such as lifting buckets of water, climbing ladders, and balancing on uneven surfaces.
- A valid driver’s license and ability to travel
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Ability to respond to emergencies when needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree (Master’s/PhD) in life sciences, marine science, or related field
- SCUBA certification or ability to complete the program within the first year of employment
- Experience providing excellent customer service and/or community-based education
- Experience leading and mentoring volunteers, students, assistants, and/or other people
- Experience conducting scientific research on live marine organisms
- Familiarity with aquatic species (marine & freshwater) of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats
- Experience with exhibit design
- Enthusiasm for marine organisms, habitats, and sharing educational information with others
- Experience preparing grants