Participates in maintenance, fabrication, and installation of live-animal displays and provides fabrication, operational and maintenance support for interpretive exhibits, in full accordance with institutional goals and standards. Assists as directed in all facets of this process, including materials/vendor research and purchasing, demolition, on and off-site construction, transport and installation, exhibit lighting maintenance, exhibit graphic maintenance, shop upkeep, and occupational safety duties.
- This is a non-essential position as defined by the National Aquarium Emergency Closure and Pay Policy.
Essential Functions:
- Assists in maintaining existing live-display components, including habitat décor and exhibit lighting.
- Participates in fabrication and installation of highly detailed and accurate habitat representations as directed by senior staff.
- Assists in the fabrication and installation of new or renovated interpretive exhibit displays.
- Fabrication duties include sustained and potentially rigorous physical activity under varied site and workshop conditions, which may involve hazardous materials, working at heights, or other challenges.
- Supports daily maintenance of the interpretive exhibits; including, but not limited to, re-lamping of light boxes, graphic replacement, vinyl text application, exhibit cabinetry repair, and moving large items.
- Assists in building scale models.
- Adheres to all institutional safety procedures, which pertain to assigned tasks, proper use of fabrication shop tools and routine upkeep of fabrication shop spaces and other job sites.
- Participates in material purchases, maintains accurate financial records of these activities, and works within budget boundaries.
- Maintains accurate records of specific workload activities.
- Gather existing site or project related data in the form of organized and legible lists, descriptions, dimensioned sketches/diagrams, etc.
- Research materials, fabrication methods, techniques, prototyping and testing, etc., as directed.
- Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
- Occasional travel for site-visits and installations, as required.
- Other/additional duties as assigned or required.
Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:
- Appreciation of aquatic species, the natural world, and informal learning.
- Specialized vocational training or min.
- 3 years’ practical experience/knowledge in custom industrial/artistic fabrications using a wide range of skills, materials, & knowledge such as:
- cabinet building and carpentry; misc. mechanical hardware selection; building with fiber-reinforced plastic stock; using polymer resin systems; constructions in concrete, wood, & metals; PVC plumbing; industrial and artistic painting; application of waterproof barriers and/or coatings.
- Capable to carry a 50lb load.
- Able to safely and confidently climb a ladder.
- Computer competencies in, but not limited to, MS Windows & MS Office applications. Proficiency in a recent version of AutoCAD software is a plus.
- A current driver’s license.
- A personal cell phone to be used for work related communications.
Competencies:
- Listens well; capable of following detailed instructions.
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to read and build from scaled drawings and use a scaled ruler (architect’s scale).
- Experience in safe/effective handling of power tools and chemicals/solvents.
- Understanding of applied math and geometry such as fractions, ratios, decimal equivalents, metric conversions, right-triangle (Pythagorean), circle geometry, etc.
Accountability:
- Participates in achieving goals and project deadlines set by supervisor; this may include flexibility in schedule to accommodate irregular working hours or pre-approved over-time to accomplish specific tasks/activities.
- Fully accountable for personal professional behavior, self-direction and supports a team-oriented environment.
- Must be safe, organized and practice responsible conduct with all shop spaces, tools, materials, institutional vehicles and personal safety equipment.
- Participates in departmental SDS accounting and required HAZCOM responsibilities.
Human Resources:
- This position is not accountable for administrative supervision duties of other employees
Human Relations:
- This position is an internal service-provider for the institution, which requires an attitude of cooperation and teamwork with all other NA staff and volunteers.
- The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience, and ideas to apply.
Experience Required
- Appreciation of aquatic species, the natural world, and informal learning. Specialized vocational training or min.
- 3 years’ practical experience/knowledge in custom industrial/artistic fabrications using a wide range of skills, materials, & knowledge such as: cabinet building and carpentry; misc.
- mechanical hardware selection; building with fiber-reinforced plastic stock; using polymer resin systems; constructions in concrete, wood, & metals; PVC plumbing; industrial and artistic painting; application of waterproof barriers and/or coatings. Capable to carry a 50lb load. Able to safely and confidently climb a ladder.
- Computer competencies in, but not limited to, MS Windows & MS Office applications. Proficiency in a recent version of AutoCAD software is a plus. A current driver’s license.
- A personal cell phone to be used for work related communications.
Further Comments
- Recently named one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work, the National Aquarium opened in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city’s Inner Harbor redevelopment.
- SmartCEO Magazine honored the National Aquarium with the Healthiest Workplace award and the Corporate Culture award in 2016. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked one of the nation’s two top aquariums and has hosted over 51 million guests since opening.
- Today, the National Aquarium builds on a history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine life, ecosystems and aquatic communities. Its Animal Rescue team has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Its Animal Care and Welfare teams participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels.
- Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet.
Perks
- Medical,
- Dental,
- Vision,
- 401(K) match and More!
