About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Description of Work

The North Carolina Aquariums on Roanoke Island is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as an Ocean Tank Aquarist. Reporting to the Animal Husbandry Curator, this position will be responsible for the daily care of all animals in display, holding and quarantine systems. Such as, freshwater and saltwater fishes, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, invertebrates. Exhibit Presentation and Maintenance. The acquisition, collection, and quarantine of display animals. Education Program Support. Train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate interns, temporary employees, and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides excellent daily care of a variety of animals through approved husbandry standards to assure a positive visitor experience.
• Maintains cleanliness and upkeep of aquarium exhibits, holding systems, and all accompanying life support equipment of assigned areas.
• Participates and conducts acquisitions, dispositions, transports, and acclimation of animals for the Aquarium collection.
• Coordinates with staff in multiple departments to complete routine assigned responsibilities that meet the Aquariums’ mission.
• Participates in and coordinates in special projects as assigned.
• Trains and supervises interns, volunteers and temporary employees as assigned.
• Works with Education staff to enhance visitor programs.
• Responsible for the record keeping of aquarium’s animal collection.
• Maintenance and care of large saltwater tank life support that includes water chemistry care.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $35,596 - $49,685

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment, will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Experience with the care and feeding of aquatic animals.
• Basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, mechanical and carpentry skills.
• Experience with aquarium mechanical, chemical, and biological life support systems.
• Experience with disease and parasite identification and control.
• Experience with animal nutrition, behavior and collecting techniques.
• Experience with general care, handling, and operant conditioning of medium to large elasmobranchs.
• Experience with ozone systems.
• AALSO certification.
• Experience with Aquarium systems over 50,000 gallons.

Position/Physical Requirements:

• Weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required. This could made up of split weekends, such as Tuesday – Saturday or Sunday – Thursday to meet the needs of the Aquarium.
• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• SCUBA certification from a nationally recognized organization or have the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• Recommended candidate will be subject to a background check prior to hiring.

This position is located at:

374 Airport Road
Manteo, NC 27954

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, Conservation, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution AND two years of museum or related work; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Contact Information:

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Human Resources
109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-814-6670