Aquarium Curator

Position Information

Classification Title Public Service Professional AC FLSA Faculty Rank Public Service Assistant Contract Type Fiscal (12 mo.) Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in biology, marine biology, ichthyology, aquaculture, fisheries or related area

Position Summary

The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Aquarium Curator is based at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island, near Savannah Georgia. The position is a full time, benefits eligible, non-tenure Public Service faculty appointment as a Public Service Assistant. This position oversees aquarium operations and exhibits, manages the animal care program (approximately 50 species of marine vertebrates and invertebrates in over 2 dozen aquaria) and maintains life support systems including the continuous seawater system that supplies both the aquarium building and the UGA Shellfish Lab. In addition, this position develops public programs and public relations for the UGA Aquarium.

The position trains, coordinates and supervises aquarium personnel (assistant curator, academic interns, marine education fellows and volunteers). As Public Service faculty this position educates public visitors (including coastal residents and tourists) and directly engages students (Pk-12, college, and graduate), teachers, citizens, educational institutions, government agencies, organizations, and community groups to address current needs. Represents UGA Aquarium in state, regional and national professional networks of Aquariums and Zoos and shares findings / best practices at meetings, conferences and workshops. Service, scholarship, and grant writing activities are expected and provide an opportunity to collaborate with other PSO, UGA and USG faculty in service learning activities, internships, fellowships, community partnerships, academic credit instruction, sponsored research, and publications.

• Principal Investigator of current Animal Use Protocol (AUP) detailing protocols and procedures of animal care program in accordance with standards set by UGA's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• Coordinates with IACUC Inspectors for biannual facility inspections and provides supporting documentation / response letter to address deficiencies.

• Maintains current Scientific Collection and Wildlife Exhibition Permits with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

• Maintains excellent working relationships with UGA, USG state and federal wildlife and fisheries groups, aquariums, zoos, and similar marine education facilities

• Mentors undergraduate and graduate students

• Supports and facilitates teaching and learning at the facility as a member of the senior education team

• Coordinates with Center's director, shellfish lab director, oyster hatchery manger, facilities manager, vessel operations supervisor, and campus colleagues during storm preparations, possible animal release and evacuation, and cleanup after the storm has passed.

• Animal care and husbandry of living educational resources including enrichment, feeding, behavior monitoring and medical treatment to ensure healthy environments, proper nutrition, disease prevention, and general well-being of captive animals. Animals held on site include 200 + marine fish and invertebrates, marine and freshwater turtles, terrestrial turtles and snakes representing 50 + coastal species.

• Acquisition/ collection / permitting of captive animals.

• Motoring water quality from system source (Skidaway River) and in both closed system exhibits and flow through touch tanks.

• Repairs, maintenance and upgrades of life support and water filtration systems.

• Maintain and develop educational displays of aquarium resources thorough live animal exhibits, public touch tanks, interactive exhibits, and wall displays.

• Training assistant curator, sea grant marine education fellows, student interns, and volunteers on aquarium operations.

• Collaborations with faculty and staff from UGA and University System and nonprofit / for profit aquariums and coastal education centers on applied research

Additional Requirements

• 3 years aquarium experience in husbandry and seawater systems
• 3 years supervisory experience
• 3-5 years of experience working aboard research vessels for collection and research purposes
• 3-5 years of experience teaching students grades 5-12, college and adults informally

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Ph.D in a discipline related to marine science, biology, marine biology, ichthyology, aquaculture, fisheries or related area.

• More than 5 years of experience.

• USCG captains license or Boat handling skills

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Working knowledge of Georgia's coastal ecosystem, processes, and organisms

• Knowledge and 3-5 years of experience collecting, tagging, and transporting specimens to holding facility and acclimating them to captivity

• Knowledge and 3-5 years of experience developing and maintaining interactive and static exhibits

• Expertise in applying for external resources to support applied research and outreach programming, including grants, fee-for-service, third party reimbursement, and other means.

• Minor plumbing, carpentry and electrical skills

• Computer literacy and proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, online purchasing, data and time reporting systems

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Strong independent and team oriented work ethic

• Positive outlook and solid problem solving abilities

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs

• Must be skilled handling living fish, invertebrates, and small reptiles

• Tolerate long periods of standing on concrete floors

• Tolerate humid, salty, and wet work areas as well as outdoor work coastal weather

• Regular work aboard marine vessels and docks

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? Yes Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? Yes Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Primary responsibility is to provide care and maintenance of live animals and life support systems. The UGA Aquarium must be monitored 365 days of the year to confirm that systems are functioning.

Duties include:

• preparation of food based on knowledge of biology and behavior for each species
• feeding animals 3 times a week
• knowledge of monitoring and treating all animals for disease and injury and abnormal behavior
• ensuring exhibit labels are accurate and appropriate
• cleaning aquaria in a manner that does not harm animals and adhere to a regular schedule
• perform repairs and renovations to tanks on a rotating basis
• construct new exhibits
• maintain sea water system equipment
• testing and verifying working condition of pumps, filters aeration systems
• preparation of river intake water to include filtration, disinfection, adjustment of chemical balance; operation of outdoor settling tank
• regular and periodic maintenance

Percentage Of Time 40 Duties/Responsibilities

Administrative responsibilities to include supervision and training of assistant curator, student workers, interns, volunteers, and volunteers to do aspects of tasks outlined above and not limited to food preparation, feeding and maintenance. Maintenance of logs documenting aquarium operations, permits for exhibits and collecting, providing records for IACUC. Participation in regular staff and unit meetings is expected.

Percentage Of Time 30 Duties/Responsibilities

Basic boat handling; Collection, transport and release of marine animals, experience using seine and cast nets, hook and line, and otter trawls for collections. Conduct overnight collecting trips and work in adverse coastal conditions if necessary

Percentage Of Time 10 Duties/Responsibilities

Collaboration with the Center's marine educators to conduct formal and informal tours of the aquarium. Collaboration with facilities personnel on repairs and more involved maintenance issues. Respond to inquiries from the general public. Plan for new exhibits and future aquarium expansions .

Percentage Of Time 10 Duties/Responsibilities

Faculty scholarly activities to include professional networking; building new partner and collaborations; presenting at professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; publishing /developing scholarly work; securing external funding through grant proposals, sponsorships, and gifts (according to PSO development procedures).

Percentage Of Time 10

Posting Specific Questions

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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents

Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact University HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.