The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is hiring a Stranding Response and Research Technician I (Exhibits Tech I). Stranding Response Program staff members are often assigned a primary area of responsibility based on candidate experience and skill level, as well as programmatic needs, at the time of hire. Regardless of primary assignment, all members of the Stranding Response Program need to have / develop foundational skills and working knowledge in all areas for rotational coverage and seasonal fluctuations in stranding activities.
These areas include:
- conduct and/or coordinate response to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles; medical treatment and rehabilitation of sea turtles; live animal care, husbandry and water quality/life support system maintenance; assistance and/or coordination of database entry and quality control of stranding case and sample information; assist or conduct necropsies on sea turtles and marine mammals; daytime and shared overnight hotline coverage and outreach activities; assist with selection, training, and leading part-time staff, volunteers and interns.
- Deliver presentations for staff and volunteers and/or represent Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program at conferences, symposiums, or other events as requested.
Duties include:
- Serve as rotating Response Lead during and after hours to answer and field calls from the public regarding stranded animals.
- Must be able to, along with guidance from senior staff, determine if calls warrant a response, prioritize and organize resources, and coordinate the initial stranding response activities required.
- Response planning includes the assessment and logistics for both live and dead stranded animal response and recovery for the whole state of Virginia.
- Complete proper documentation and data collection for each stranding, including case follow through and record completion. Collect and enter level A, B, and C stranding data for marine mammals and STSSN data for sea turtles.
- Collect and enter daily feed and treatment records for animals undergoing rehabilitation. Utilize Microsoft Access and ZIMS for data entry and follow quality control protocols.
- Participate in live animal stranding events, including field assessments, animal pick up and transport, rehab patient admits and initial health assessment procedures, and/or assist in euthanasia.
- Serve as rotating Rehab Lead: Provide for the needs of all animals undergoing rehabilitation at the marine animal conservation center -conduct the prescribed medical treatments, diagnostic sampling, and testing schedule; prepare and assist in surgical procedures, regular patient monitoring and critical animal assessment; complete daily patient and treatment records; interact with and delegate tasks to rotating volunteers in regards to feeding and husbandry activities; oversee the water quality and life support maintenance of the rehab tanks.
- Conduct cursory post-mortem examination (necropsy) of deceased animals and assist senior staff with detailed necropsy and sampling for the purpose of data collection, cause of death determination, and research, including writing and reviewing necropsy report drafts.
- Assist with the maintenance/servicing of assigned equipment (e.g. response vehicles, necropsy and response equipment, medical and Assist with the development and updating of protocols and train interns, fellows, and volunteers in stranding response and equipment use.
- Attend and represent the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program at regional and national stranding meetings as requested.
- Assist with content to be used in grants, permits, reports, and media when directed.
- Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by duties described.
- Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and department needs.
Work Schedule:
- 40 hours/week. Seasonally may change from five 8-hour days (8am-4:30pm), to four 10-hour days (7am-5:30pm), with variable start/stop times based on operational needs.
- Manage overnight hotline an average of 1–2 nights per week.
Experience Required
- Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to two (2) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with positions such as wildlife biologist, zoologist, stranding technician, or necropsy technician in a similar facility or program, (e.g. stranding organization, field conservation station, anatomy or necropsy/pathology laboratory, etc.). Individual positions will have specific requirements regarding subject expertise, skills and training; these will be noted on job requisition at time opening is advertised.
- Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
- This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, close toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, respirators or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk.
- Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on assigned duties.
- Upon hire, the selected candidate will be required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City of Virginia Beach Occupational Health Services.
Further Comments
- Preferences:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in biological sciences, veterinary science, zoology, conservation biology, or other related field.
- One (1) or more years of full-time equivalent experience in a marine mammal and/or sea turtle stranding organization to include experience conducting and/or coordinating field responses and recovery of live or dead stranded animals: with an emphasis on logistics planning, assessing resources, and coordinating personnel and volunteers.
- One (1) or more years of full-time experience with rehabilitation of sea turtles and/or marine mammals: including critical patient monitoring, medical treatments, feeding, assisting with advanced procedures, and medical records and data completion.
- Experience with monitoring water quality parameters and life support system maintenance.
- Knowledge of marine mammal and sea turtle anatomy, and experience with dissection, and/or necropsy techniques.
- Working knowledge and experience with research and investigative processes, including project design, data analysis, and project reports.
- Experience with providing oversight, training, and coordination of volunteers.
- Experience with public speaking and communicating biological concepts and conservation messaging in formal and informal settings.
- Experience engaging with and informing members of the public during stranding responses activities.
- Comfort and experience working in and around water including operating large vehicles around coastal environments; driving on beaches, on bridges, through tunnels; and trailering or driving boats.
- Operating/working knowledge of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act(ESA), and the NOAA and USFWS regulations and permitting requirements involved in wildlife and/or marine animal response, conservation, or rehabilitation activities.
- Experience recording Level A, B, and C data for stranded animals and medical or husbandry records.
Perks
- visit job posting
Salary
- G.16, $36,753.60 - $56,971.20 | Starting Salary: Minimum of the Pay Range
