Commissary Technician I

The Commissary Technician is a member of the aquarium team that works to implement the best practices to achieve and maintain the highest standards of nutritional health for the aquatic animal collection. The technician directly operates, works within, and maintains the animal commissary and works to ensure that diets are prepared accurately and efficiently to meet the highest nutritional standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Diets.
• Accurately follow written and oral instructions concerning type and quality of food to be prepared and size of proportions.
• Inspect, sort, and clean food items as needed.
• Cut food items to appropriate sizes and accurately weigh diets into prescribed amounts.
• Prepare/process items to insure efficient future efficient operations.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of work and work area.
• Maintain sanitation level appropriate for a food service area.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces and equipment.
• Keep all food storage areas clean and organized.
• Develop policies and procedures to avoid cross contamination within operation.
• Maintain and Manage Inventory.
• Inform supervisor of low inventory items, as necessary.
• Participate in regular inventory as needed.
• Rotate items to ensure FIFO rule is observed.
• Assist with the care and/or culture of live plants and invertebrate feeder animals.
• Help to train and direct volunteer activities within the commissary.
• Actively and professionally communicate among staff and supervisors in other departments to convey dietary information and advocate for best nutritional practices.
• Consistently act as a positive role model to mentor and inspire commissary volunteers on the importance of appropriate diet prep and facility operation.
• Maintain records as needed (diet sheets, diet cards, inventory sheets, etc.).
• Help to develop and maintain operations manual.
• As needed, interact on behalf of the Georgia Aquarium with guests, media, and the general public.
• Perform other duties as workload dictates.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in biology, nutrition, animal science, food management, or related field.
• Direct experience with aquatic animals preferred.
• Food service or preparation (human or animal) preferred, understanding of food service sanitation required.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work nights, weekends, on call, etc.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective problem analysis and resolution skills
• Ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet departmental requirements.
• Motor coordination and manual dexterity required to safely handle sharp knives during food preparation.
• Ability to detect signs of deterioration in foods.
• Ability to be self-motivated and able to function in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move loads in excess of 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time The job requires work in a cooler (35-40 degrees F) and freezer (-10 - -20 degrees F).
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The daily routine requires consistent physical exertion.  

Commitment:

• I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

Mission:

• Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision:

• To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values:

• Integrity,
• Innovation,
• Leadership,
• Teamwork,
• Respect,
• Excellence,
• Appreciation & Inclusion