Aquatic Facility Specialist I, NIH Decentralized Facility: NIH6, NIH6B, NIH10C, NIH14G, NIH49, NIH35 and NIH37.

Summary:

Under the direction of Project Management, the Aquatic Facility Specialist I will provide technical and husbandry services. Primary responsibilities include the provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species (Zebrafish, Xenopus & Cavefish) or any other aquatic or semi-aquatic species that may be utilized in biomedical research, the scheduling of procedure room usage, husbandry room activities, and storage room maintenance. Duties include maintaining/ troubleshooting housing systems, performing basic water quality tests, room sanitation and maintaining detailed records. Responsible for completing assigned duties according to established procedures, guidelines, and instructions. Aquatic Facility Specialists I will demonstrate the ability to interact with investigators and have experience with the type of research animals assigned to the area.

Requirements:

Bachelor of Science degree in biology or related field from a recognized, accredited institution; OR High school diploma/GED equivalent plus:  1 year experience working with aquatic species in a professional environment OR 6 months’ working with animals in biomedical research.  ALAT certified within 6 months of eligibility.

Duties:

• Adhere to established SOPs, NIH security procedures and confidentiality requirements
• Assist in the receipt of animal, supplies, feed, and bedding
• Assure accurate reporting and maintenance of routinely used items
• Identify and report potential problem areas with personnel, equipment, or facilities
• Support/comply with the QA/QC and Training programs
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals
• Communicate in English (both oral and written form) and demonstrate use of good leadership, team building and management skills
• Identifies/reports abnormalities (parasites, abnormal behavior, etc.) of aquatic species to Facility Veterinarian
• Technical service to include maintaining all aquatic support equipment, breeding schedules, stock/strain breeding, setup of fish breeding tanks for investigator use, and maintains all aquatics facilities
• Change aquatic holding tanks as per SOP to maintain appropriate water quality and provide visibility of animals for daily observations;
• Deliver dirty tanks to designated facilities for cagewash services
• Applies aquatic terminology in all methods of communication
• Safely and correctly handles and restrains animals for observation and/or minor procedures
• Maintains all aquatic holding systems and areas in clean condition without risk to research animals housed
• Inspect all rooms and common areas for damaged equipment and abnormal environmental parameters
• Identifies, documents, and reports any environmental abnormalities
• Accurately performs all in-house water quality tests. Applies knowledge of basic aquatic water chemistry
• Assist in coordinating the use of all aquatic procedure areas. This involves keeping the areas stocked with supplies, (e.g., crossing tanks, nets, screens, etc.).
• Applies knowledge of similarities and differences of types of aquatic holding systems
• Other duties as assigned

Hours:

Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace. Routine work hours are between 7:00am-4:30pm hours are dictated by the institutional research schedule weekend and holiday work to be scheduled on a rotating basis. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies. Potential to provide weekend coverage if there is short staffing and unable to find replacements.

Environmental and Work Conditions:

Task employees shall work mostly indoors. However, employees may be required to work outside performing tasks associated with picking up and delivering animals, supplies and small equipment; transporting waste and recyclables; moving equipment into and out of remote storage locations; traveling from one facility to another; and climbing ladders. Locations of the decentralized facilities are: NIH6, NIH6B, NIH10C, NIH14G, NIH49, NIH35 and NIH37.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to perform the following physical activities: climbing, reaching, kneeling, standing, stooping, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, hearing and talking. Must be able to lift/move 50 lbs.