POSITION
Position Title: Coral Laboratory Aquarist 1
Department: Research (800)
Classification: Temporary (through January 31,2026), Full-time
Direct Report: Coral Laboratory Supervisor
From: February 1, 2026-January 31, 2028 (funding is pending for an additional 24 months, timeline will be changed according to payout schedule)
Start date: February 1, 2025
Hourly wage: $15/hr (full time 40 hours/week) plus benefits (details provided by HR)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Coral Laboratory Aquarist is responsible for providing the highest possible quality of care to the animals under their assigned care, under the guidance of the Vice President of Veterinary Services and Research and the Coral Laboratory Supervisor. This individual provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices; keep systems/enclosures, support equipment, and workspaces well maintained to MSAQ standards; participate in the acquisition/disposition, transport, acclimation, and quarantine of animals; participate in the design, construction and maintenance of lab and reserve tanks, including life support material and equipment, as assigned
This position requires a highly motivated individual who will be the Coral Laboratory Aquarist working with mesophotic and deep-water coral at the offsite facility (ARC). This project is funded by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation and is a part of the Coral Propagation Techniques project involving multiple governmental and non-governmental partners. Funding is secured through January 31, 2026. The position will also be responsible for adhering to all aquarium safety protocols, standard operating procedures, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards.
Note: Position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices and toxic chemicals and/or drugs. Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required e.g., goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Essential responsibilities include:
1.Responsible for the care and feeding of the coral collection and systems at off-site facility
- Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits and reserve tanks twice daily to check status and identify and report potential problems to the Coral Laboratory Supervisor.
- Prepares food and feeds assigned animals/systems/enclosures, in accordance with dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils.
- Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep animals at peak health.
- Observes medical conditions that may require attentions and reports observations to Coral Laboratory Supervisor and Vice President or Veterinary Services and Research.
- Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as prescribed.
- Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends and enters notes into TRACKS medical records software.
- Preform daily water quality testing and maintain results in TRACKS medical records software.
2.Participate in the acquisition and transport of corals and invertebrates
- Participates in field collection trips (when possible or needed) using appropriate equipment.
- Checks with Coral Laboratory Supervisor and Vice President of Veterinary Services and Research prior to collection of specimens to ensure adequate animal holding facilities in accordance with biological requirements of the animals are available.
- Maintains acquisition and disposition database using TRACKS.
3.Participates in the design and construction of new and renovated systems, maintenance, and appearance of existing exhibits and tanks, including life support materials and equipment.
- Maintains cleanliness of the displays through cleaning glass and decor, scrubbing algae and removing debris to meet establish MSAQ standards.
- Performs cleaning tasks, water changes, backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintain water quality standards, and consult Coral Laboratory Supervisor to determine appropriate schedules for maintenance and troubleshooting guides.
- Cleans back-up areas including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water and pest control.
- Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, and chillers dealing with life support of the lab.
- Participates in system design and fabrication in keeping with coral behavior and biological needs.
4.Serves as a representative of the Aquarium to the public and media.
- Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.
- Present at weekly meetings with other laboratory staff, NOAA, and USGS partners.
- Offers advice to other labs, MSAQ, and aquariums regarding aquarium techniques.
- Reaches out for advice to other members on the CPT team
5.Train and mentor new volunteers and interns in all aspects of husbandry
- Able to work well with supervisors and staff.
6.Responds to life-support and animal-related emergencies, at times after work.
- As scheduled, works cooperatively to execute response to mitigate alarms for planned incidents or drills, including after-hours when needed.
- Responsible for monitoring alarms based on an established on-call system and occasionally responding to emergencies after hours.
7.Provides support for other departments as needed.
8.Possess keen observational skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.
9.Assist in writing SOPs for future staff members and for overall coral project.
10.Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
11.Maintains detailed data records (photos, measurements, medical records, etc.) and contributes to information gathered as directed by the Project Managers of the CPT team.
12.Other duties as assigned or required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in biology or related discipline or extensive hands-on experience working with a live animal collection at a zoo, aquarium or similar institution.
- 6 months experience working at a public/private aquarium preferred.
- Experience in the care and maintenance of a wide variety of coral and invertebrates.
- Experience and proficiency in the capture, handling, transfer and transportation of coral and invertebrates.
- Possesses experience and knowledge towards disease and treatment of corals and invertebrates.
- Must have good organization and time management skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays. Must respond to emergency calls involving but not limited to animal related or life support.
- This position calls for physical activity throughout the day; must be able to stand, stoop, walk on possible uneven surfaces, climb ladders, and lift a minimum of 50lbs.
- Must possess a valid Driver’s License and insurance, or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment.
- Must be self-motivated, with the desire to provide the best care to animals under care.
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
- Safety & Security - All Team Members are required to adhere to all Mississippi Aquarium safety and security standards.
- Attendance & Appearance - To maximize the guest’s experience, all Team Members are required to adhere to Mississippi Aquarium standard operating procedures regarding attendance and dress code policies as it relates to individual job functionality. Tattoos and piercings must be appropriate and in keeping with a professional image. Depending on the work area, management reserves the right to determine that tattoos will need to be covered during your shift.
- Team Partnership - All Team Members are focused on supporting each other to complete the guest experience. Therefore, supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness is vital to our organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern 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 intern is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; 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 Intern must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 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 intern is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
