[MB advising: see link at bottom of post to full job posting and application details (will expire when position is filled). The following are excerpts from the full position description, do not necessarily include full details, and are provided for the purposes of career exploration.]

I am reaching out to you from the Pennington Marine Science Center located on Catalina Island off the coast of California. We operate a 6,000 gallon aquarium with 20 exhibits housing local temperate marine fish and invertebrates. We use the center as a focal point of our education program, which teaches marine science, conservation and stewardship to children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. The marine science center is a part of Camp Emerald Bay, which is owned and operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council of the Scouts BSA. The camp has been in operation since 1925 with the marine science center opening in 2004. The marine science team teaches classes and educates thousands of people every year, with our busiest season in the summer.

We have paid spring, summer and fall Marine Educator/Aquarist positions and are trying to reach college students interested in aquarium husbandry, scientific SCUBA diving, Remotely Operated Vehicles, and marine science education. In addition to gaining experience in these areas, team members will learn about life support systems, small boating operations, animal husbandry, and collections. We take great pride in our program and are proud that almost every employee who has worked with us has gone on to pursue either a Ph.D., masters degree, or a job at a public aquarium or marine science center.

Pennington Marine Science Center

2022 Fall Aquarist

Santa Catalina Island, CA

Position Title: Aquarist

Company/Organization: Pennington Marine Science Center owned and operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council- Boy Scouts of America

Location: Camp Emerald Bay, Santa Catalina Island, CA

Duration: 3 months

Fall Aquaristship: September 18th – November 26, 2022 Position Summary:

The aquarist reports to the Director of the Pennington Marine Science Center and works closely with the full time Lead Aquarist. Aquarists learn about and assist in the husbandry of temperate marine fish and invertebrates, the teaching of Marine Science courses for the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy, maintenance of the appearance of exhibits, monitoring of life support systems, perform exhibit interpretation, as well as participate in the accessions and deaccessions of specimens for the collection. We try to conduct multiple dives each week and aquarists have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience operating small boats. The skills acquired during the aquaristship prove to be invaluable in a number of careers including science based outdoor education, public aquariums, life support technician, scientific diving and aquaculture. As with other camp staff, aquarists are expected to assist with other camp duties as assigned such as resetting campsites. Staff uniforms are provided and required to be worn while on duty.

The Pennington Marine Science Center is owned and operated by the Western Los Angeles

County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The camp at Emerald Bay is located near the West end of Santa Catalina Island. During the week, a marine science and outdoor education company utilizes the facilities for programs. On weekends, the camp is used by groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA or the Sierra Club. In addition to the marine science center, camp may offer environmental education, ceramics, archery, shooting sports, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, scuba and snorkeling activities to support our mission to teach leadership, ethics and stewardship to participants. All told we host more than 7,000 visitors annually.

These activities, among others, provide unparalleled opportunities for adventure to camp staff on the West end. Far from the bustling tourist destination of Avalon, a 90 minute drive away, the nearest town is Two Harbors, with about 100 year round residents, and is a 30 minute drive on dirt roads. Applicants must take into consideration our isolated location since it’s very difficult to “run into town” for anything, and while there is one general store, the emphasis must be placed on “general”. Creature comforts may not be readily accessible, but the island’s spectacular beauty and atmosphere more than make up for any lack of creature comforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Husbandry of temperate marine fish and invertebrates
• Assist in teaching marine science courses with Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy
• Maintaining the appearance of exhibits
• Animal diet preparation and feeding
• Water quality monitoring and testing
• Assist with the collection of specimens for exhibits using S.C.U.B.A, hook and line or other methods
• Life support system monitoring and maintenance
• Interpretation of exhibits to weekend groups
• Record keeping
• Public engagement and the facilitation of group tours
• Public speaking
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience
  • BS/BA in Marine Biology, Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, Education or other related discipline or be working towards the aforementioned degrees at an accredited 4 year university

○    Professional animal husbandry experience in an aquarium or zoo a plus

○    Experience with informal science interpretation

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Must have a current S.C.U.B.A certification from a nationally recognized agency such as PADI, SSI or NAUI

○    ReefCheck/AAUS scientific diver certification a plus

○    Ability to pass first aid and CPR certification classes

○    Ability to pass lifeguard certification classes

○    Oxygen First Aid and Hazardous Marine Life Response training preferred

○    Strong organizational and writing skills

○    Ability to work effectively with co-workers

○    Familiarity with use of plumbing, hand and power tools,

○    Ability to climb up and down stairs

○    Ability to lift 50 lbs

• Language Skills
  • Ability to read and interpret documents i.e. safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

○    Ability to write routine reports

○    Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, reach, and talk or hear. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time. Must be able to lift 50 lbs..

Application Instructions:

Please email the following documents in PDF format following the naming convention listed in parenthesis for each document to penningtonmsc@gmail.com

• Cover letter (F2022_LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter.pdf)
• Resume (F2022_LastName_FirstName_Resume.pdf)
• Unofficial Transcript (F2022_LastName_FirstName_Transcript.pdf)
• Contact Information for Three Professional References (Name, Title, Phone, Email) (F2022_LastName_FirstName_References.pdf). Letters of Recommendation are not required to apply.

Please direct questions regarding the position to:

Lora Johansen, Director
Pennington Marine Science Center
310-510-1795 ext. 36
PenningtonMSC@gmail.com