Aquarium Curator (half-time)

Position: Aquarium Curator (half-time)

About the University: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 90,000 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 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

About the Department: Outreach and Continuing Education (OCE) at Western Washington University expands access to Western’s outstanding educational opportunities across the region and beyond through a focus on creating community, serving learners, and providing lifelong impact through quality education.

OCE collaborates with colleges, departments, and the community, linking university resources with educational needs and opportunities —including international education opportunities—in support of the State’s education attainment goals and Western’s strategic goals.

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.

For more information on Outreach and Continuing Education, please visit our website.

About the Position: Reporting to the Director of Operations and Outreach, the Aquarium Curator for SEA Discovery Center, located in Poulsbo, Washington, performs daily tasks required for the consistent operation of the aquarium. Responsible for the husbandry and proper care of animals within the aquarium and upkeep of aquarium exhibit appearance, This position ensures continued operation of facility life support systems, water quality, collection organisms at the center, compliance with WWU animal care policies and standards, and recruiting and coordinating center volunteers to support aquarium operations. Due to the nature of working with live organisms, the successful candidate must be available for emergency response after hours including weekends. This position is anticipated to remain half-time for the foreseeable future.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

(40%) Exhibit care and animal husbandry: Ensures husbandry of live organisms 7-days a week, and excellent condition of exhibits and supporting areas:

• Performs all aspects of husbandry, including habitat (tank) conditions, animal feeding and care. Live organisms include: fish, invertebrates, seaweeds, seagrasses.
• Interacts with consultant veterinarians as needed to solve animal health issues 24/7
• Ensures compliance with guidelines for sanitary condition of food preparation room and food and aquarium equipment/supply storage areas.
• Ensures compliance with WWU, state, federal, and industry standards for collecting, transporting, and caring for aquatic organisms (marine/freshwater, temperate/tropical)
• Maintains adequate supply of animal food, tank equipment, and supplies.
• Works with appropriate staff to plan and improve exhibits (including interpretive signage) and increase recognition of the aquarium.
• Coordinates with SEA’s Education staff to support academic program content
• Utilizes knowledge of aquarium animals to develop interpretive signage, and interactive/informational displays for all SEA visitors.
• Train and manage animal and aquarium care team members (staff and volunteers) to ensure compliance with established standards and protocols.

(20%) Volunteer Recruitment, Training and Coordination

• Work with the Director and Education Manager, to implement volunteer recruitment plan, updating as needed, to meet center demand
• Recruit and maintain consistent number of regular volunteers to support public hours at the aquarium
• Provide on-going training for volunteers to increase knowledge of animals at the aquarium

(15%) Animal Collection: Plans, prepares, coordinates, and leads collection trips as needed to maintain exhibits

• Conducts a quarterly assessment of animal collection needs for the aquarium
• Creates an annual collection plan, in alignment with established limits on location and amount of animals established in approved permit
• Prepare and submit required applications and annual report for WA State scientific animal collection permit and required transport/transfer permits annually, according to state guidelines.
• Maintain logs of animal collections and changes in exhibit composition on an on-going basis
• Request, monitor, and coordinate collections by sub-permit holders, including Shannon Point Marine Center staff
• Follow protocols for collection, transport, and acclimation of animals to exhibits

(20%) Water Systems: Monitor and ensure consistent operation of the seawater and freshwater systems for the aquarium exhibits

• Measure, record, and monitor water quality parameters in all exhibits.
• Perform routine system backwashes and water changes to maintain water quality and animal health
• Conduct daily visual inspection of all equipment involved with the intake, operation and circulation of the sea- and fresh- water systems, including troubleshooting any issues and repairing as 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.

(5%) Accessibility, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work

• Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment through incorporation of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness perspectives throughout functional responsibility areas
• Active participation in OCE's, and Western's work on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through conversations and professional development

Required Qualifications

• Academic degree in biology, marine studies or related field OR 2+ years' commensurate experience in a relevant professional work environment (e.g. aquarium or marine center).
• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive work environment
• Familiarity with aquatic species (marine & freshwater) of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats, plus familiarity with resources and tools for researching information
• Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Understanding of relevant systems, e.g., aquarium life support systems, seawater systems, swimming pool and/or irrigation systems, pumps, aerators, chillers, other aquarium equipment
• Eagerness to collaborate with a small but highly productive team
• Strong interpersonal skills to educate, train and collaborate with the general public, colleagues and others.
• Possess trouble shooting skills and ability to work effectively under pressure and in emergency situations.
• Proficient in the use of computers including skills with Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Enthusiasm for marine organisms, habitats, and sharing educational information with others

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing animal or like protocols and keeping log records.
• SCUBA certification and ability to participate as part of Western's Dive Team in the future

For full position description/duties and application instructions, please go to: Careers - Staff | Human Resources | Western Washington University (wwu.edu)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24,624.00 - $28,318.00 per year

Work Location: In person