Fish Hatchery Technician

Entry level Fish Hatchery Technician Opportunity:

Sustainable Aquatics, a leader in the hatchery-rearing of marine aquarium fishes, is seeking Hatchery Technicians to assist with operating several departments throughout SA’s campus, where marine ornamental fish and invertebrates are farmed to be sold to the aquarium trade. The successful candidate does not need to have experience or knowledge of our products or markets but should exhibit enthusiasm for the work and potential for growth. 

With recent breakthroughs in breeding successes with new and never-before-bred species, it is an exciting time to join the SA team! Expansions are underway to work with additional species of fishes, such as tangs, angels, butterflies, dragonets, and more. These fishes are not commonly cultured; SA seeks help to bring additional species into the breeding program, which in-turn makes these fish available to stores and hobbyists worldwide!

1) Broodstock Technician: Broodstock technicians care for our adult (breeder) fish and are responsible for the care, feeding, and curation of SA’s valuable broodstock fish collection, operating and maintaining filtration systems, and reporting any issues with equipment or facilities directly to supervisors.

2) Larval Technician: This position focuses on raising young fish from eggs to several months old, at which time they are moved to growout. Young (larval) fish are small and delicate. As such, they require specialized care and feeding.

3) Growout Technician: In the growout facilities, fish are grown to maturity, at which time they can be offered for sale to retail aquarium shops. Sustainable Aquatics maintains a large number of fish in growout systems that receive their own specialized care. Pristine water quality is maintained by careful monitoring and maintenance. SA has developed specialized feeds that help with growth, color, and health of the fish maintained in the growout facilities. The growout team also helps with selecting fish for shipping.

4) Sustainable Islands (SI) Division Technician: In this facility we acquire wild caught animals from all over the world, preferably juvenile animals, and we acclimate them to life in the aquarium environment, introduce them to SA’s hatchery feeds, and put on suitable body mass till they are suitable for successful introduction into the retail and hobbyist care.

5) Coral Propagation Technician: This position involves artistic and precision cutting of corals with a saw or cutters. Corals are then glued to ceramic bases for growout and eventual sale. For this position we are seeking a mature craftsman (or woman) to help grow the number and diversity of corals propagated!

6) Plankton Technician: In this facility we grow and care for phytoplankton and zooplankton. Responsibilities include growing plankton, harvesting, packaging for sale, decapsulation of Artemia, and preparation of feeds.

7) Campus Custodial: SA is seeking to fill a full-time position cleaning and maintaining SA’s campus. This position includes cleaning and restocking restrooms, breakroom, offices, and production areas. Other duties include vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, trash removal, and cleaning windows. Light maintenance, painting, and driving company vehicles are preferred for the strong candidate.

8) Coral Reef: SA operates a retail location called The Coral Reef. This shop is open to the public and offers aquariums, supplies, and freshwater and saltwater fish and invertebrates. We are seeking candidates to help with maintaining the shop, helping customers, and working in our coral propagation area (managing water quality, maintaining systems, fragging and gluing corals, purchasing and acclimating new corals, inventory, and shipping). This could be a great opportunity for a hobbyist with a strong interest, but we also provide on-the-job training.

Located at Headquarters: Primarily based in “Main” hatchery building

110 West Old Andrew Johnson Highway Jefferson City, TN 37760 865 262 0507

Typical shift: 9am - 6pm (1-hour break for lunch)

Broodstock: 7:30am-4:30pm

Growout 8-5

Coral Reef 9:30-6:30

Sustainable Aquatics (SA) offers:

· Company-Supported healthcare through Blue Cross/Blue Shield

· Paid Time Off accrues each month

· Monthly Profit-Sharing Bonus Plan

· Ample Opportunities for Advancement in a Growing Company

Job Type: Full-time (40 hours/week)

All qualified, responsible applicants are encouraged to apply. We offer a competitive salary and generous paid time off.

Qualifications/Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics and attributes:

• Profoundly passionate about doing the job and creating success
• Positive and energetic attitude toward everyday activities
• Ability to work in a “team environment,” learning from and training others
• Can plan, organize, and establish priorities to meet goals and achieve results
• SA is a Tobacco-Free Campus
• Ability to remain active and work on-foot (walking, standing, moving between buildings, etc)
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions for procedures
• Ability to work under direction or independently once trained
• Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs

Good Organizational Skills