Water Quality Manager

Mystic Aquarium

Water Quality Manager

JOB SUMMARY: Demonstrate excellent representation of the aquarium at all times through a positive, can-do attitude and teamwork focused work ethic.

The Water Quality Manager is responsible for the general oversight of the water quality laboratory operations and maintaining open communications with other departments.

Minimum Job Requirements: Must be willing to consistently provide guest service above and beyond expectation.

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline and/or certification in water chemistry or laboratory technology.

• Minimum 5 years of experience using standard laboratory methods and procedures.

• Minimum 1 year of experience working with discharge or other environmental permits.

• Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO) Level I Water Quality Certification preferred.

• Strong interpersonal skills, and strong written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

• Strong attention to detail is required, must be able to observe and follow up on trends.

• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

• Must be willing and flexible to work weekends and holidays.

• Multilingual; Spanish speaking preferred.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Support the organization's mission and core values.

• Maintain compliance with State and Federal water quality and discharge testing and reporting requirements.

• Maintain Non-Potable Water Testing Lab certification with the State of Connecticut including maintaining proficiency testing for self and approved/trained laboratory staff.

• Edit and review discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) before submission.

• Maintain the Water Quality Laboratory's Quality Assurance (QA) plan. If necessary, update the plan with changes in testing methods, or any other changes necessary.

• Work closely with the animal husbandry departments, along with the life support systems, veterinary, and research personnel for the best management of the systems maintained.

• Maintain an open line of communication between departments with any observed trends or out-of-range values that require investigation.

• Provides interpretation and recommendations of all water chemistry parameters pertinent to each aquatic system to ensure that all systems are always meeting or exceeding AZA, USDA, and Mystic Aquarium standards.

• Assist in the development of operational procedures to ensure human safety in the laboratory and proper methods of analyses for all parameters tested.

• Provide technical support for research projects when needed, including reagent preparation, obtaining equipment and supplies, and processing samples.

• Coordinate modifications to the water quality testing schedule in addition to routine testing.

• Maintain, monitor, and update Water Quality Lab staff schedule to ensure proper coverage and backup in the event of an absence.

• Mentor, develop, and directly supervise team members, including lab staff, interns, and volunteers.

• Prepare and participate in personnel evaluations.

• Network with industry peers to troubleshoot and problem solve.

• Submit purchase orders as needed to maintain an acceptable inventory of reagents and supplies.

• Provide budget summaries to immediate supervisor as necessary.

• Manage the ordering of life support chemicals (i.e., chlorine); ensure bulk compounds in original containers are properly rotated and expired compounds taken out of circulation for any use in systems housing animals.

• Maintain laboratory supplies and equipment necessary to perform water analyses. Research new equipment as it becomes necessary.

• Ensure the highest level of hygiene in the laboratory by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all benchtops and laboratory equipment immediately after use, along with storing items in their appropriate locations.

• Collect water samples and analyze using current and proven laboratory techniques and record the results.

• Monitor levels of various parameters, including but not limited to pH, salinity, conductivity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, chlorine, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and magnesium.

• Perform microbiological examination of exhibits, testing enterococcus, total and fecal coliforms for compliance purposes.

• Maintain laboratory environment and its data, computer, and hard copy files.

• Be available to work overtime if required.

• Other duties as assigned.

Safety/Security

• All employees are responsible for always working in a safe manner.

• Every employee must properly use, and keep in good order, all personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied to them as protection from recognized hazards.

• Every employee must report any unsafe condition.

• Every employee must have a working knowledge of all Facility wide, and Department specific, safety procedures that relate to their position, including, but not limited to: Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown Procedure, and Fire Extinguisher Use.

Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (dba Mystic Aquarium) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Women and underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please visit our website www.mysticaquarium.org/careers and apply today!

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT 06355

Phone: 860-572-5955

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