Marine Fish and Shellfish Aquaculture Support

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking applicants for a full-time Aquaculture, Marine fish, and shellfish Biologist position to support the NOAA Manchester Research Station in Port Orchard, WA. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.

Background

The purpose of the Aquaculture and Marine Fish and Shellfish Biology Program is to study biological questions pivotal to the sustainability of natural marine fish and shellfish populations and their artificial propagation for aquaculture. The goal is to utilize information gained from studying wild populations to enhance aquaculture. In reverse, information gained from experiments on artificial propagation can be used to understand the dynamics of wild marine fish and shellfish populations and to aid in their management. Our science is used by commercial and NGO partners to enable and optimize their aquaculture operations.

Description

The employee shall culture marine fish and shellfish. The employee shall be required to participate in the construction and maintenance of life support systems for the culture of marine fish and shellfish and in the propagation and husbandry of adult larval marine fish and shellfish. The employee will be expected to maintain records of the physical characteristics of life support systems and of the animals being maintained in those systems.

Task 1 – Life Support Systems

• The employee shall be responsible for the building, plumbing, maintenance and repair of marine egg, larval, and adult fish and shellfish holding and culture systems including recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS), flow-through tank systems, and net-pen systems at the NOAA Manchester Research Station.

Task 2 – Animal Husbandry

• The employee shall perform routine husbandry of fish and shellfish egg, larval and adult holding and culture systems including cleaning and disinfecting tanks, incubators, silos, and all associated plumbing.
• The employee shall perform routine maintenance of nets and feed containers on net-pens.

Task 3 – Live Feeds

• The employee shall be responsible for the production and feeding of live feeds (e.g., rotifers, artemia, and algae) for fish and shellfish and in the production and feeding of diets to adult fish and shellfish.

Task 4 – Data Collection

• The employee shall collect data during the spawning and rearing of fish and shellfish. This shall include tagging fish, assessing growth, and any other variables measured during experiments conducted by NOAA scientists on marine fish and shellfish adults, larvae, and eggs. The employee shall also collect daily, weekly, and monthly data on the physical and chemical parameters of the life support systems.

Start Date: ASAP

Location: NOAA Manchester Research Station, Port Orchard, WA.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $22 and $26/hr.

Requirements

• Applicants must have the following minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major in fisheries biology, zoology, environmental studies, aquaculture, or a related field, plus at least 2 years of experience in the task order duties.

• Knowledge and/or experience in rearing and maintaining fish and shellfish in culture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Knowledge and/or experience in rearing live foods for marine fish including rotifers and artemia, and algae for shellfish.
• Knowledge and/or experience in spawning fish and shellfish.
• Knowledge and/or experience in incubation of fish eggs, and fish and shellfish larvae.
• Knowledge and/or experience in plumbing related to fish and shellfish rearing systems.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).

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