Biological Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Biological Technician – Aquarium Support Services Woods Hole Science Aquarium, NOAA / WHOI, Falmouth, MA

This role supports the Woods Hole Science Aquarium with hands-on marine animal care, life support system maintenance, and visitor services for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)

Join @Orchard in supporting the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s (NEFSC) public outreach and ocean literacy efforts through expert marine animal care at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. The aquarium hosts approximately 140 native marine species and welcomes over 80,000 visitors annually, including thousands of schoolchildren. It also plays a critical role in marine wildlife rehabilitation and education.

As a Biological Technician, you’ll assist with daily animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, and visitor engagement to ensure high standards of care and education are upheld. Working under the direction of senior aquarium staff, you’ll help prepare food, monitor animal behavior, maintain exhibits, and support special events and school group visits.

This position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to follow established protocols, and a willingness to support both behind-the-scenes operations and public-facing activities. If you're eager to support marine life and hands-on education in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, this role is a great fit.

Key Responsibilities

Preparing food for animals and feeding animals.

Monitor and report on food stores and supplies, and restock as necessary.

Utilizing the biological laboratory and medical testing, and sampling equipment as instructed.

Observing and documenting injury, illness, aggression, stress, breeding activity, and food intake of animals in the collection.

Conducting habitat and exhibit maintenance.

Assisting with visitor services and taking reservations.

Operating a government vehicle as necessary.

Using the biological laboratory and medical testing, and sampling equipment as instructed.

Cleaning aquarium habitats, animal care areas, and back-of-house workspaces

Providing light repair / maintenance for exhibits and habitats.

Assisting with planning and executing events and activities for school groups, VIPs, and other special groups as requested or directed.

Greeting and speaking with visitors in an informative and respectful way.

Assisting with the development and maintenance of educational materials used for activities.

Required Experience and Qualifications :

High School Diploma or GED and successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or related field.

Experience in laboratory or field work requiring knowledge of technical methods, processes, and procedures common in biological studies.

Knowledge of aquarium life, husbandry, and life support systems, and basic fish biology is required.

Demonstrated ability to follow instructions, adhere to established procedures, be punctual, and adhere to a work schedule.

Ability to handle physical exertion for moderate periods, including standing, walking, stooping, bending,and lifting light objects.

Ability to safely handle knives, other cutting tools for food prep, and hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches.

Familiarity with microcomputers and the ability to understand and conform to agency cybersecurity requirements and procedures.

Ability to work well in a team and to deal with the public.

Essential Conditions of Employment

Driver's License : Ability to pass training requirements for operating a Government vehicle.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.