AQUARIST

  DEFINITION:

       Under direction, attends fish and other aquatic life in aquarium
  exhibits; may prepare exhibit specimens for tours; does related 
  work as required.

  EXAMPLES OF WORK:

       Prepares food and feeds fish according to schedule.

       Cleans tanks and removes algae from tank windows.

       Attends to aquatic plants and decorations in displays.

       Collects and compares water samples to color coded chart 
  for acid analysis and monitors thermometers and adds chemicals 
  to water to maintain specified water conditions.

       Observes fish to detect disease and injuries, may treat fish
  according to instructions.

       May assist in collecting specimens.

       Prepares specimens for exhibits.

       Serves as an instructor or guide for visitors.

       Provides information about marine life, presents slide shows,
  develops and distributes handbooks.

       May work in field trips or in schools.

       Trains volunteers in the maintenance of aquarium tanks.

       Keeps an inventory of stock and supplies.

       Keeps records and makes reports.

  REQUIREMENTS:

       EXPERIENCE:

           One (1) year of experience in attending to fish and other
  aquatic life in an aquarium or fish hatchery, museum or zoo or 
  in the raising, care, and breeding of tropical fishes which entailed 
  a knowledge of diseases, behavior, breeding, and feeding 
  characteristics of various species of fish.

       NOTE: Satisfactory completion of six (6) semester hours of credit
  in marine biology, marine science, or ichthyology or related field
  from an accredited college or university may be substituted for 
  the above experience.

       LICENSE:

           Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license
  valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than
  employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties 
  of the position.

       KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

           Knowledge of fish life, its origin, behavior, disease, and
  life processes.

           Knowledge of the relationship of fish and other aquatic life
  to their environment.

           Ability to present fish and other aquatic life specimens for
  tours.

           Ability to work independently.

           Ability to care for fish and fish tanks, and to keep the area
  clean.

           Ability to instruct others in caring for fish and fish tanks.

           Ability to present facts and other information before small
  groups consisting of school-age children, and adults.

           Ability to develop handbooks containing basic facts and
  information concerning marine life.

           Ability to schedule and confirm tours, make reports, and keep
  records.

           Ability to recognize signs of diseases, behavior characteristics 
  of various species of fish, and other characteristics critical to their 
  care and preservation.

           Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
  manual recording and information systems used by the agency, 
  office, or related units.

           Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
  English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American
  Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable 
  forms of communication.

           Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as
  long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after
  reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.  
  If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause 
  the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
05907
L
C
  
N/A
03
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 9/13/1993