AQS Life Support Operator

Description

Position Title: Life Support Operator

Department/Unit: Aquarium Science Program Facility

Classification: Technician IV

Status (exempt or non-exempt): Non-exempt

Salary/Grade: $23.95 Per Hour

Reports To: AQS Director

Percentage: 75% -100%

Annual/Academic year: Annual (12 months);

This is a grant funded position with current funding starting early September 2025 and ending 6/30/2026. Continuation of employment is contingent upon new grant funding.

Benefits and Insurances

• Employer premium support for Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Optional employee paid insurance - life, AD&D, Short Term Disability
• Paid time off - vacation, personal hours, sick
• Paid holidays
• Oregon PERS retirement
• Tuition waivers

This Position Application closes on 07.22.25

An Application is complete when the following have been uploaded:

• A Resume
• A Cover Letter

Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) is shaping the future of higher education in Lincoln County.

In support of our mission, all OCCC employees demonstrate commitment to:

• Participation in cross-functional collaboration across the College.
• Continuous improvement.
• Understanding that student success is at the center of every staff position at the College.
• Having an entrepreneurial mindset and propensity to "see what is possible."
• Exhibit collegiality and respect for everyone.
• Being excited about and committed to advancing OCCC's future: continued independent accreditation, growth and a great place to work.

Location: Central County Campus, Newport, OR

Telework Status:

Regular telework is not a feature of this position. At the Supervisor's discretion, exemptions may be made for special projects or responsibilities requiring periodically needed focus time.

Position Summary

Performs aquatic animal husbandry in support of the Aquarium Science Program facility and curriculum under the supervision of the AQS Director. Provides supportive care and maintenance of Aquarium Science Program equipment, live animal collection, and associated live aquarium systems. Works in coordination with the AQS Director to schedule student team assignments and assist with special events at the AQS facility including the National Visiting Committee. Provides support to AQS Director, faculty, and students in operational and laboratory areas

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs specialized work in the maintenance of freshwater and marine aquarium systems and their life support components including installation and repair of filtration elements.
• Assists AQS Director with the design and construction of new aquatic animal systems for the AQS teaching facility.
• Coordinates with AQS Aquarists to complete preventive maintenance on system equipment.
• Maintains laboratory equipment, components, and materials. Assists AQS Director with inventory management by ordering supplies using PO/requisition forms, and drafting animal, water and building reports.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains accurate daily/routine records for aquarium systems, specimens, equipment and lab related policies and procedures.
• Provides effective communication with aquarium science staff, faculty, and students regarding animal management practices.
• Works with AQS Director to provide project lists to student workers and to insure their timely completion. Assists AQS Director with animal habitat design and construction.
• Assists, organizes, and oversees details related to the coordination of projects and other related duties as directed or assigned.

The list of essential functions is intended to be representative of the tasks performed by this position. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any supervisory responsibility but may lead the work of Student, Volunteer, and/or Temporary Staff assigned to the area.

Leading Work includes:

• Train and orient new hires in position tasks.
• Provide instructions on work tasks.
• Offer guidance, encouragement, and answer questions to ensure work tasks are completed efficiently.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least two (2) years of full-time aquarium husbandry and life support operation related experience working in public aquariums, zoos, research facilities, aquaculture, hatcheries, ornamental fish trade establishments, or similar with demonstrated knowledge of safe animal handling practices and maintaining a safe working environment.
• Bachelor's degree in a life science related discipline. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis (e.g., six (6) years of relevant experience = 2-year min. + 4-year degree).
• Experience working with a variety of marine and freshwater species of fish and invertebrates.
• Experience with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
• Experience with the maintenance and operation of a variety of life support systems and components such as sand filters, canister filters, UV sterilizers, protein skimmers.
• Ability to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records, generate reports, and communicate with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One-year Certificate of Completion in Aquarium Science.
• Experience working at a college or university.
• Experience working with a variety of marine and freshwater species of fish and invertebrates.
• Experience with the maintenance and operation of water reclamation systems using denitrification and ozone generator systems is preferred.
• Experience with the maintenance and operation of laboratory equipment such as microscopes, spectrophotometers, pH, ORP, and dissolved oxygen meters is preferred.
• Current/valid First Aid/CPR certification.
• AALSO Level I Life Support Operator certification and AALSO Level I Water quality technician.
• AALSO Level II Life Support Operator certification
• AALSO Level II Water Quality Operator certification

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Qualifications:

• Possess strong communication skills and demonstrated ability in the areas of creative problem-solving, conflict resolution and appropriate decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Windows).
• Ability to rapidly learn and apply new information and concepts within the functional area.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail while maintaining a clean/organized work environment.
• Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively both with and without supervision.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, collaborating with diverse groups within the College and community.
• Value community and the core values of the College and must bring enthusiasm, energy, and cultural competency to the position.

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Frequently required to sit, see and talk or hear.
• Often required to have mobility to move between offices, classrooms, and floors.
• Use hands to finger, handle or operate computers, objects, tools or controls.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Light physical exertion with occasional, bending, stooping, pulling, and moderate lifting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and have the ability to carry equipment and tools of moderate weight, using arms and hands.
• Specific vision and hearing abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus, and complete and maintain various types of records.
• Ability to hear the conversational voice and effectively communicate responses.

Work occurs in an office environment with potential for interruptions and background noise.

Assignment will include presence at all primary OCCC locations and may include evening and weekend work. Travel between College sites and other locations will be required. Occasional travel and overnight stays outside of Lincoln County may be required for training and other purposes.

The use of tobacco and smoke-emitting materials and devices including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited on all College Property, including OCCC's building exteriors and parking lots.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Oregon Coast Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer

We strive to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and we encourage applications from persons with varied backgrounds and perspectives.

In support of Oregon Veterans Preference in Public Employment, we encourage veterans and veterans with disabilities to explore employment opportunities at Oregon Coast Community College.

All positions at Oregon Coast Community College are required to be available for work onsite as requested by the college.

Employees must maintain Oregon residency as a condition of employment.

Federal law prohibits the College from employing an individual who has not provided documentation for verification by the third day of employment.

Contact Human Resources if you need assistance and/or an accommodation to aid your participation in our hiring process, contact Human Resources at ....

• Notice of Affirmative Action Policy- It is the policy of Oregon Coast Community College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or family relationship (ORS 659.340), in admission and access to, or treatment in, employment, educational programs, or activity as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and their implementing regulations.