Animal Care/Water Quality Control

Basic Function

Under the supervision of the Rehabilitation Coordinator, Senior Animal Care Technician and veterinarian, the Animal Care/Water Quality Technician will spend half of the time performing basic animal care and half of the time performing water quality analysis, maintaining water filtration and treatment system, and assuring compliance of associated discharge permits at the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
>Primary

  • Husbandry of marine animals including:
     
    • Providing basic animal care
    • Maintaining animal daily food and medical records.
    • Restraining or handling animals.
    • Cleaning of rehab rooms.
    • Periodically provides basic medical care to the animals.
    • Assisting Veterinarian, Operations Manager, and other staff with daily animal medical regimes.
    • Works in concert with all other staff members to maintain inventory and supplies.
    • Coordinates records of animal, lab reports for veterinarian
    • Provides leadership and clear communications to students and volunteers when senior staff are not available
    • Assists with the supervision and training of volunteers including the preparation and presentation of volunteer training sessions
    • Provides technical assistance to the Veterinarian in the absence of the Senior Animal Care Technician.
    • Shares coverage of stranding beeper. Emergency coverage is often on a 24-hour  basis.
    • Develops, plans, conducts and oversees the sampling of water quality studies on the Saco River.
    • Interacts with other organizations, such as the Saco river Samon Club, Harbor Master, and the general public to educate and inform vested parties of study results.  Attends public meetings to explain study results, University water quality procedures and other related water quality issues.
    • Monitors in-house water samples.
    • Oversees the water quality department
    • Tests and monitors in-house water samples.
    • Writes up the standard operating procedures for new or updated equipment, legal documents and other water quality oriented material to remain in compliance with DEP permits.
    • Trains staff and volunteers on water quality testing
    • Provides supervision and oversight of daily water testing by staff and volunteers
    • On call for problems with water quality and water systems at the center
    • Repairs and maintains all water systems
    • Repairs and maintains all water quality analytical equipment
    • Assures all equipment is NIST certified
    • Maintains NIST certification
    • Analyzes water quality considering multiple variables and recommends actions to MARC team.  Assures compliance for the Marine Science Centers National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR).
    • Understands and complies with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and Chapter 8 of the University of New England Safety Manual, OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the University Chemical Hygiene Officers, the Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator (EHSC), the supervisor and Chapter 17 of the University of New England Safety Manual.
    • Understands and complies wit MSDS and HAZCOM procedures and policies as part of UNE's comprehensive OSHA compliance program.
    • Understands and complies with Department o f Transportation (DOT) regulations. Successfully completes DOT training with 90 day of the hire date.  Maintains current DOT standards by successfully completing re-training courses as required.
    • Understand and comply with the University of New England Safety Manual.
    • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervision Excercised:

In absence of the Senior Animal Care Technician/Volunteer Supervisor provides general supervision and technical assistance to volunteers on animal care issues.

Supervision Received:

General supervision is received from the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Coordinator and or the Senior Animal Care Technician/Volunteer Supervisor

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in biology or a related field, plus up 3 years of relevant animal care/water quality experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

  • Experience in Water Quality Analysis and trouble shooting instrumentation
  • Experience in maintaining Water Quality Systems
  • Experience treating and working with marine mammals in a captive environment is desirable. 
  • Must be able to read subtle cues to troubleshoot health problems with the animals.
  • Must be able to assess situations, anticipate alternate outcomes and prepare to respond to these possible situations.
  • Effective leadership and communications skills when working with a variety of staff, volunteers and students.
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
  • Ability to restrain large animals.
  • Ability to work in varied environments (IE: hot/cold, wet, noisy).
  • Ability to work long hours, including shifts beyond 10 hours.

Annual Training Requirements:

  • Code of Conduct
  • Ergonomics
  • Fire Safety
  • Sexual Harassment

 

   
       

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