Careers

Please email a Resume and Cover Letter to: jobs@aquarium.org

This full time, permanent position offers competitive benefits including fully covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance. The Aquarium additionally offers a 403b matching retirement account, 16 vacation days, 9 holidays, paid sick time, and an Employee Assistance Program.

This position is exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

POSITION TITLE: Aquarist 2

REPORTS TO: Curator of Fish and Invertebrates.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Curator the Aquarist is directly responsible for all activities relating to the daily care of one or more animal galleries.  The Aquarist is responsible for all aspects of animal care including feeding, health assessment, exhibit and/or system design and construction and maintenance.  He or she is also responsible for animal collection in the natural environment using acceptable methods, including SCUBA diving.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participates in the daily cleaning, feeding, and husbandry of the animals under their care in accordance with standards set by the Curator. Assures normal operation and maintenance of exhibit and holding life support systems..
2. Participates in specimen collection and transport as needed. Assists in safe boating operations.
3. Reports unusual conditions or illnesses in the animals and assists, when trained and appropriate, in their treatment.
4. Monitors exhibit water quality and performs water quality analysis as necessary and appropriate.
5. Maintains all written and computer records relating to gallery inventories.
6. Works with other Aquarium functions as needed and appropriate, such as volunteer training, assisting with promotional events, and writing newsletter articles. Positively and accurately represents the Aquarium in presentations and tours given to media, staff, and visitors.
7. Demonstrates a continued interest in advancements in the aquarist field.
8. Performs scuba diving or snorkeling as needed for exhibit maintenance or as required.
9. Presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs, and behind the scenes tours when opportunities are available.
10. May oversee volunteer or intern programs.
11. Attains ability to cover any system at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
12. Maintains a high level of professionalism and performs as a role model for other aquarists.
13. Acts as liaison between the staff and management team on weekends, holidays, or in the absence of the curatorial staff.
14. Leads field collection trips and/or animal transport trips.
15. Leads or collaborates on conservation related projects.
16. Leads exhibit renovation projects when necessary or scheduled.
17. Performs other duties as assigned. The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related to or a logical extension of the position

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position will be tasked with assessing, scheduling and managing the volunteer effort for the department under the guidance of the Curator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Minimum levels):

• A degree in a biology or zoology related field is required. 
• Three years of experience in the husbandry of captive fish and invertebrates is required. If necessary, at least five years of public aquarium experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.  Knowledge of Northwest aquatic life is preferred
• The incumbent must have substantive experience working with captive fish and invertebrates or fisheries biology.  .
• A scuba diving certification is required and cold water experience is preferred. 
• Knowledge of aquarium systems, biology, and health assessment and subsequent treatment are required.  Knowledge of and ability to use computers and standard, commonly accepted computer programs are required.  Ability to work under limited supervision, both independently and in a team environment is essential.
• Good communication skills and the ability to make short presentations to visitor and volunteer groups is required.
• A valid Oregon Driver’s License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work involves considerable standing and moving about on surfaces that are often wet and slippery.  The incumbent must be able to work with their arms immersed in cold water for long periods of time.  The ability to ascend and descend steep ladders/steps is required.  The incumbent is required to work in dive gear weighing up to 80 pounds and in cold water with sometimes poor visibility.  The ability to lift and carry up to 60 pounds is required. The incumbent, when trained appropriately, may use or be near strong magnets.

MENTAL, HEARING, AND VISUAL DEMANDS:

The work involves continuous mental and visual attention involving reading, analyzing, visualizing, or otherwise performing very involved, comprehensive work.  The incumbent must be able to differentiate the sounds of various motors, compressors, and other machinery.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work is typically performed working in and around tanks of cold sea water, as well as diving in cold sea water with poor visibility. 

Some sedentary work is required.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Compliance with appropriate company standards is required.

This is a full-time, temporary position not to exceed 90 days.

This position is non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

POSITION TITLE: Temporary Aquarist

REPORTS TO: Curator of Fish and Invertebrates.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Curator the Aquarist is directly responsible for all activities relating to the daily care of one or more animal galleries.  The Aquarist is responsible for all aspects of animal care including feeding, health assessment, exhibit and/or system design, construction, and maintenance.  He or she is also responsible for animal collection in the natural environment using acceptable methods.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt.

Working Hours: Not to exceed 90 days. Full-time, non-exempt. Scheduled days and hours based on business need.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participates in the daily cleaning, feeding, and husbandry of the animals under their care in accordance with standards set by the Curator. Assures normal operation and maintenance of exhibit and holding life support systems.
2. Participates in specimen collection and transport as needed. Assists in safe boating operations.
3. Reports unusual conditions or illnesses in the animals and assists, when trained and appropriate, in their treatment.
4. Monitors exhibit water quality and performs water quality analysis as necessary and appropriate.
5. Maintains all written and computer records relating to gallery inventories.
6. Works with other Aquarium functions as needed and appropriate, such as volunteer training, assisting with promotional events, and writing newsletter articles. Positively and accurately represents the Aquarium in presentations and tours given to media, staff, and visitors.
7. Demonstrates a continued interest in advancements in the aquarists field.
8. Performs other duties as assigned. The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related to or a logical extension of the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities over paid staff, but will supervise and/or coordinate the activities of students (ex: job shadows and OCCC Practicum).

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Minimum levels):

• A degree in biology or zoology related field is preferred.
• The incumbent must have substantive experience working with captive fish and invertebrates or fisheries biology.
• Knowledge of Northwest aquatic life is preferred.
• A scuba diving certification with cold water experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of aquarium systems, biology, and health assessment and subsequent treatment are required.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computers and standard, commonly accepted computer programs are required.
• Ability to work under limited supervision, both independently and in a team environment is essential.
• Good communication skills and the ability to make short presentations to visitor and volunteer groups is required.
• A valid Oregon Driver’s License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work involves considerable standing and moving about on surfaces that are often wet and slippery.  The incumbent must be able to work with their arms immersed in cold water for long periods of time.  The ability to ascend and descend steep ladders/steps is required.  The ability to lift and carry up to 60 pounds is required. The incumbent, when trained appropriately, may use or be near strong magnets.

MENTAL, HEARING, AND VISUAL DEMANDS:

The work involves continuous mental and visual attention involving reading, analyzing, visualizing, or otherwise performing very involved, comprehensive work.  The incumbent must be able to differentiate the sounds of various motors, compressors, and other machinery.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work is typically performed working in and around tanks of cold sea water, as well as diving in cold sea water with poor visibility.  Some sedentary work is required when performing record keeping duties at a computer station.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Compliance with appropriate company standards is required.

Please email a Resume and Cover Letter to: jobs@aquarium.org

This is a part-time variable hours position.

This position is a non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

POSITION TITLE:  Event Staff

REPORTS TO:  Catering and Events Manager

JOB SUMMARY: Event staff are responsible for event set-up, serving banquet food and beverage to Aquarium guests, along with clean-up and breakdown for special events during Aquarium business hours and evening events. Event staff may have just one function during the event or as a whole event. Staff may be scheduled for only the set-up before the event; servicing the event with the guests and/or the breakdown of event after guests leave.   

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serves guests at banquets and special functions.
2. Assists in setting up the event room and/or spaces to be used, from start to finish (or as assigned). The position includes finishing up the event with the clearing of dishes, linen, and cleaning up all service areas used for the event.
3. This may include sit down meals in which there will be delivery of food and beverage to tables; following procedure as trained for consistency among staff.
4. Majority of events will be buffet style. Event staff will be alert to maintaining adequate food and beverage levels to keep guests flowing through.
5. Remove dishes and utensils; cleans tables and chairs; fills sugar, salt and pepper containers; sweeps floors.
6. Assists in setting up for buffet lines, special functions and meetings as needed.
7. Assists with dish-washing as needed.
8. Event staff must maintain a current Oregon Food Handlers Card and a current license with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) and adhere to the rules and regulations of both if serving food and/or alcohol.
9. Provide courteous service to our guests and is cordial to all team members.
10. Maintains open and clear communication with all staff members.
11. Event staff must be available to and work at least one event per month.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Minimum levels)

• Current food handler’s card is required and OLCC beverage server license is preferred.
• Prior food and beverage server experience is preferred.
• Must be able to handle multiple tasks.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and patrons.
• Must have the ability to satisfactorily answer patrons’ questions regarding food items or service.
• Must possess a positive attitude and adhere to grooming and dress codes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work involves considerable standing and walking throughout the day, up to 5 miles. The ability to ascend and descend ladders/steps is required.  The ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds is required.