Exhibits Technician I

City of Virginia Beach, VA•Virginia Beach, VA

53d

About The Position

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is hiring a Stranding Response and Research Technician (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.

Responsibilities

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.