[JOB][ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY] Shellfish Hatchery Technician
Rob Holmberg
Job Description:
Reporting to the Director of the Center for Economic and
Environmental Development (CEED), and under the direct supervision of
the Assistant Professor of Biology - Shellfish Aquaculture &
Hatchery Specialist, the RWU CEED Shellfish Hatchery Technician develops
and oversees the RWU CEED Shellfish Hatchery, which includes training
and supervision of students, and training of additional staff as hired.
This facility is responsible for coordinating the Shellfish Hatchery
program, which produces bivalve seed to meet the needs of CEED
researchers and the production demands of the shellfish community. These
include producing livestock for marine biological experiments,
undergraduate education, conservation efforts, and commercial farming
operations. In addition, the Hatchery Technician is expected to identify
and develop new research areas and participate in ongoing research
directed at optimizing hatchery production levels.
Essential Functions / Characteristics
- Work with the Assistant Professor of Biology - Shellfish Aquaculture & Hatchery Specialist to develop and implement plans to rear larval and juvenile bivalves and other marine invertebrates to meet production and other goals of CEED researchers and/or collaborating partners.
- Work with the CEED Facilities Technician to coordinate the use and maintenance of the facility to accommodate the Hatchery production needs, including providing seed to farmers, researchers, and other partners.
- Ensure Standard Operating Procedures and checklists are developed, updated, and maintained for all Hatchery functions.
- Manage the sales of shellfish seed to communities, growers, and researchers.
- Participate in project planning, and coordinate with PI's and staff researchers to implement, support, and achieve research objectives, production outcomes, and hatchery/hatchery resource availability for necessary tasks.
- Support RWU CEED by leading/participating in tours, making presentations, and coordinating with CEED outreach and fundraising efforts.
- Oversee the supervision, in coordination with the Assistant Professor of Biology - Shellfish Aquaculture & Hatchery Specialist, of undergraduate Hatchery interns and researchers during the academic year and during the summer as needed.
- Assist the Assistant Professor of Biology - Shellfish Aquaculture & Hatchery Specialist with conducting the AQS (Shellfish Hatchery) Practicum, an annual/semiannual course involving supervision and training of undergraduate students in shellfish aquaculture.
- Assist the Assistant Professor of Biology - Shellfish Aquaculture & Hatchery Specialist with measuring and monitoring seawater chemistry parameters including temperature, salinity, pH, total alkalinity, nitrate, and others.
- Keep inventory of consumable supplies.
- Coordinate with Microalgae Manager to maintain microalgae cultures.
- Provide back-up coverage for microalgae production, including sterile inoculations, media preparation, and scheduling production.
- Provide support to shellfish farm operations during the hatchery offseason (i.e. mid-summer through mid-fall).
Additional Functions
- Collaborate with microalgae personnel on research projects.
- Where possible, interact with visitors to the facility; represent the University and the program in outreach activities in consultation with supervisor or other staff.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution.
- Minimum of one year of experience in shellfish hatchery operations.
- Supervisory experience.
- Working knowledge of microalgae culture and general hatchery operations.
- Intermediate computer literacy including MS Office Suite software.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences such as faculty, staff, students and visitors
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in bivalve hatchery operations and rearing microalgae in either commercial or research setting.
- Practical mechanical skills including plumbing and construction.
- Experience in measurement of seawater chemistry parameters.
Application Instructions:
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references. In your cover letter/letter of interest, in addition to listing how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position, please include information about how you would be able to contribute to RWU's diversity, inclusivity, and equity goals.