Aquarist and Exhibit Design

Commitment Required: This is a full-time position 40 hours a week. Members are required to serve for a minimum of 1700 hours throughout the program year. There may be early morning, day, and evening hours, including weekend hours. The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is open 7 days a week.

AmeriCorp Benefits Included with position:

·        Maximum living allowance of $16,502 (gross before taxes) for term of service.

·        Education award of $6,495 is provided upon successful completion of service.

·        Forbearance on qualified student loans and interest accrual payments while serving (taxable)

·        Child Care assistance (if qualified) 

·        Health insurance – option to enroll with premium paid in full for member only 

·        Professional development and training opportunities 

·        AmeriCorps service gear (must be worn every day)

Aquarist and Exhibit Design Paid Internship

Purpose: The AmeriCorps Member will provide direct service in making improvements to the facility to enhance experiential learning opportunities for visitors at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Campus in Panacea, FL. This individual will oversee animal husbandry, aquarium maintenance, and exhibit design throughout the facility. Experience working with filtration and water quality is encouraged.

Member Duties:

• Oversee animal husbandry 
• Identification of over 200 marine species.
• Assist with improvements to existing exhibits to better align interaction with sea life, the importance of ecosystems and how human choices can impact the environment.
• Assist with the creation of new exhibits.
• Design signs for existing and new exhibits.
• Daily feeding of the animals and interaction with guests as they encounter the animals.
• Prep fish, squid, shrimp, pellets, seafood smoothies, brine shrimp, phytoplankton, chromaplex, and other foods for feedings
• Follow specialized instructions for diet and nutrition of the aquarium animals
• Administer vitamins to the sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles as instructed
• Clean the tanks after feeding
• Feed quarantine tanks as instructed and communicate with lead aquarist which animals did not eat
• Assist with the engineering and design of filtration systems that can be applied to other applications throughout our facility
• Assist with the construction of a new closed-loop filtration system for the aquarium.
• Monitor water quality through lab testing.
• Participate in training, attend meetings and workshops.
• Conduct lab, dock, marsh, and other public tours for visitors, schools, and groups
• Assist with collection of animals for exhibit displays 

Qualifications:

• At a minimum, must have a high school diploma, GED, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service.
• Reliable transportation required. Members will be required to travel within the community and to/from service sites. Valid Driver’s License and Insurance required. 
• Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
• Relevant work experience preferred 
• Ability to learn and identify 200+ marine organisms on display.
• Able to work independently, follow prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• Must be able to work under pressure of crowds and field trips while maintaining a positive attitude and a safe environment
• Must be able to follow instructions, communicate scope of work, and what has been accomplished towards completion of task
• Be able to successfully pass a criminal background check

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift 50 lbs sometimes and 20lbs often
• Able to handle fish, squid, shrimp and other smelly food for feedings
• Must be able to work in all conditions (wet, buggy, hot)
• Able to work on feet for hours at a time
• Able to listen and speak clearly
• Able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with established policies and procedures
• Able to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards