Aquarium Curator

Position: Aquarium Curator (Full Time-Permanent position)

Location: Macaulay Salmon Hatchery in Juneau, Alaska 

Starting Salary: $47,000 per year DOE plus benefits

Start Date: January 6, 2025

Douglas Island Pink & Chum Inc. (DIPAC) is a private non-profit organization which manages two salmon hatcheries in the Juneau area to produce salmon for the common property fisheries of northern southeast Alaska. DIPAC also manages the Ladd Macaulay Visitor Center (VC).

DIPAC’s mission is to sustain and enhance valuable salmon resources of the State of Alaska for the economic, social, and cultural benefit of all citizens, and to promote public understanding of Alaska's salmon resources and salmon fisheries through research, education, and tourism.  

Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining aquariums, pumps, aquarium rooms, pump house, and life support systems
• Keeping up on cleanliness of various aquariums, pump rooms and filter rooms
• Weekly or bi-weekly diving in a 5,000-gallon cylindrical aquarium for cleaning/maintenance purposes
• Collecting, identifying, and caring for diverse assortment of local specimens
• Managing the volunteer collector program
• Administering reports and permits associated with DIPAC aquariums
• Working with the Tourism & Education Manager to set a budget for aquarium needs
• Assisting with Visitor Center tourism, education, and events as needed
• Coordinate and conduct off season tours and educational outreaches as requested
• Assist with long term facility planning upgrades as well as updating plumbing components of aquariums when necessary
• Must be willing to take emergency calls when off duty

• Other duties as assigned

  

  Qualifications:

• The Aquarium Curator must have a basic understanding of salt water life support system functions and maintenance needs as well as an understanding of field collection methodology. The applicant needs to have a working knowledge of salmon, fisheries, marine biology as well as basic boat trailering and operation experience. The ideal candidate will also have basic construction understanding including plumbing, mechanical, welding and carpentry experience, as well as an understanding of basic computer programs. 
• Graduation from a four year accredited college or university with a degree in Marine Biology, Fisheries or equivalent job experience; AND/OR two years’ experience in animal husbandry, aquaculture, or related field experience; AND/OR two years’ experience with animal life support systems
• Applicant must have the interpersonal skills necessary in dealing with a wide range of individuals in a variety of circumstances
• Must be able to obtain an Alaska driver’s license. A job offer for this position is contingent upon a clean motor vehicle record for DIPAC's drivers insurance approval
• Must be open water, dry suit diving certified and have two or more years’ experience diving in cold water
• Ability to pass a background check is mandatory

The above requirements may be waived if the candidate for this position is otherwise qualified.

All interested applicants may turn in their completed application, current resume, cover letter and two letters of recommendation either in person at 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801 or via e-mail to emily_pearce@dipac.net. 

The application can be found on DIPACs website at www.dipac.net/employment.