Padilla Bay Aquarist (Program Specialist 2)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Padilla Bay Aquarist (Program Specialist 2) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program.
Schedule:
This position is NOT eligible for telework.
Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
This Padilla Bay Aquarist position offers a unique opportunity to manage and enhance the aquarium and touch pool systems that support public education, scientific understanding, and stewardship of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. In this role, you will oversee daily aquarium operations, ensure the health and well-being of marine organisms, and maintain reliable and high-performing life support systems that meet state, federal, and NOAA expectations. You will serve as the Reserve’s primary technical expert for aquarium care and system maintenance, providing sound professional judgement, responsive problem solving, and long-term planning guidance that strengthens facility reliability and visitor experience.
You will also play a central role in Padilla Bay’s public education program by developing touch-pool and aquarium-based learning materials, supporting curriculum development, delivering engaging demonstrations for visitors, and collaborating with instructors across the Reserve’s sectors. In addition, you will coordinate and train volunteers, interns, WCC members, and Reserve staff who assist with aquarium care, ensuring consistent operations, clear communication, and a safe environment for both organisms and visitors. Through this work, you contribute directly to Ecology’s mission and the Reserve’s commitment to research, education, and estuarine conservation.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage daily operation, maintenance, and performance of aquarium and touch-pool life support systems, ensuring stable environmental conditions and healthy living environments for resident organisms.
- Independently conduct routine and preventative maintenance, troubleshoot equipment issues, perform repairs, and coordinate facility needs with the Reserve’s facility coordinator.
- Monitor water quality and organism health using technical equipment and data-tracking systems, analyze trends, diagnose system issues, and implement corrective actions to improve performance and animal welfare.
- Provide technical judgement and recommendations for long-term aquarium facility planning, exhibit improvements, system upgrades, and operational efficiencies.
- Respond to critical aquarium needs during power outages, closures, or emergencies, ensuring the safety and care of organisms during after-hours and holiday periods.
- Develop and deliver aquarium-based educational presentations, demonstrations, and public engagement events, including fish feedings, touch-pool interpretation, and hands-on estuary science programs.
- Collaborate with Education, Research, Stewardship, CTP, and Facilities sectors to design exhibit improvements, align messaging, and develop curriculum materials that utilize aquarium systems.
- Coordinate, train, and oversee volunteers, interns, WCC members, and Reserve staff who support aquarium and touch-pool care; maintain schedules, delegate tasks, and organize aquarium team meetings.
- Identify and support service-learning and internship opportunities related to aquarium operations, environmental interpretation, and estuarine science.
- Maintain required permits and ensure full compliance with policies and regulations associated with capture, holding, and release of organisms.
- Follow agency policies for records and information management, maintaining accurate electronic and paper records that align with retention and public records requirements.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support Padilla Bay operations, public programs, facilities, and visitor services.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
- Four (4) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
- Aquarium Life Support Operations: Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot closed and open-system aquarium life support equipment, including pumps, filtration systems, monitoring devices, and water quality instrumentation.
- Animal Husbandry: Experience observing, assessing, and supporting the health of marine organisms through appropriate feeding, preventative care, habitat management, and species compatibility evaluation.
- Water Quality Data & Analysis: Ability to collect, track, and analyze water quality and organism-health data to identify trends, diagnose system performance issues, and implement corrective measures that ensure stable aquarium conditions.
- Emergency Response & Problem Solving: Ability to assess and respond to aquarium system failures, environmental fluctuations, power outages, and other urgent conditions that require timely action and sound technical judgment.
- Volunteer and Staff Coordination: Experience organizing task schedules, training volunteers or staff, and delegating daily operational activities to ensure consistent, safe care of aquarium systems and organisms.
- Environmental Education Support: Ability to convey biological, ecological, or aquarium-system concepts clearly to public visitors, students, and community groups through demonstrations, presentations, or interactive learning experiences.
Education & Experience
- Involving a major study in environmental science, life science, environmental education, aquarium science, or related field
Examples of how to qualify:
4 years of experience.
3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
1 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
Bachelor’s degree or above.
Special Requirements & Conditions of Employment:
This position requires technical competency with aquarium life support systems and water quality monitoring. Candidates must hold at least one of the following certifications—or an equivalent credential—and be able to obtain the second within one year of hire:
- Level 1 AALSO Life Support Operator Certification (or equivalent)
- Level 1 AALSO Water Quality Technician Certification (or equivalent)
- Equivalent certifications or training may include documented aquarium life-support coursework, professional training, or industry-recognized credentials demonstrating comparable knowledge and skill.
Desired Qualifications:
- Have level 2 AALSO Life Support Operator or Water Quality Technician Certification or equivalent.
- Additional experience leading environmental education programs and/or working independently in caring for and managing aquariums are preferred.