Aquarium Curator

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant improves the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education, training and outreach. We believe an engaged and informed public support thriving coastal ecosystems and resilient and inclusive communities.

Location

Skidaway Island near Savannah, GA.

Salary

Compensation will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

Job 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.

Responsibilities and Duties

• 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

Required Education/ Experience

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

Preferred Education and Experience

• 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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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

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, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.