Aquatics Technician II

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Target hiring range for this position will be between $24.50-$27.50 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary:

Specializes in the care of laboratory zebrafish. Manages overall care of zebrafish, including larviculture, live feed culture and maintenance, water quality assessment, and recirculating system maintenance. Completes junior level aquatics technician duties and responsibilities as directed by Aquatics Supervisor. All actions are completed by strictly & consistently following applicable CCM SOPs including safety procedures & guidelines. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Group Leader or their designee. Arrives, leaves & takes breaks at work as scheduled. Strictly adheres to CCM attendance policy.

Please note: Must be able to negotiate up to a 65 lb force (push/pull) on an occasional basis. Lifting is limited to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently. Must be able to work a shift schedule that includes working both Saturdays and Sundays, possibly a staggered work schedule, occasional overtime, and holidays as required. Must successfully maintain physical condition that will assure efficient performance of tasks, including successful completion of physical examination. This position requires the individual to be available to work on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Must be enrolled in the university's occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire. The health questionnaire is submitted to the university's occupational health provider for review. Must be willing to undergo job related background check.

Specific Responsibilities:

According to CCM SOPs:

• Cleans & sterilizes tanks, equipment, supplies, rooms (primary and secondary enclosures), etc.
• Prepares refuse for disposal.

According to CCM SOPs and under minimal direction from the Aquatics Supervisor, performs daily zebrafish colony maintenance and husbandry:

• Observes tanks daily for cleanliness, appropriate water supply, stocking density, and tank assembly.
• Observes recirculating systems daily for appropriate function.
• Changes tanks, lids, and water supply hoses.
• Feeds zebrafish according to their prescribed diets.
• Observes zebrafish regularly during the day, noting, reporting, and removing any dead fish or fish with variances in or deviation from normal health or behavior, including obvious deviations in swimming behavior, skin conditions, enlarged abdomens etc.
• Notifies veterinary staff and researchers of fish with health issues.
• Observes, documents, & reports changes in environmental parameters (i.e., water & room temperature, room humidity & lighting, water conductivity, water pH etc.).
• Conducts census counts.
• Euthanizes fish according to CCM policy.
• Complies with aquatics facility entry order, PPE requirements, and other biosecurity policy as directed.
• Assists in organizing feed and supplies.
• Performs zebrafish larviculture according to CCM SOPs and/or as directed by Aquatics Supervisor:
• Transfers larvae from petri dishes to tanks according to appropriate stocking density for tank size and feed regimen.
• Feeds larvae and juveniles according to age and researcher specifications.
• Monitors tank flow rate and provides age-appropriate water supply.

According to CCM SOPs and/or as directed by Aquatics Supervisor:

• Completes facility caretaking check-lists, logs & documentation accurately & within appropriate time-frames.
• Notifies supervisor and/or management of malfunctioning equipment; may document problem.
• Maintains Artemia and rotifer cultures.
• Assists in development of OJT programs and trains junior level Aquatics Technicians & investigator staff. Attends CCM sponsored training sessions, OJT's, species-specific training sessions, etc. Cross trains in animal caretaking duties of all currently housed species.
• Assists with quality assurance projects.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent is required along with a minimum of 5 years of experience as an animal care or research technician working with aquatic species OR a bachelor of science degree in fisheries, aquaculture, animal science or equivalent.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Aquatic animal care

• Organization and multitasking

• Efficiency/dependability

• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, database and e-mail software

Preferred Qualifications:

• ALAT certification.

• Prior experience working with zebrafish.

• Basic knowledge of water quality assessment.

• Experience with maintenance of recirculating aquaculture systems.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Customer focus

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.