Aquaculture Operations Manager

About the role

The Aquaculture Operations Manager leads the propagation of native invertebrate herbivores to restore Caribbean coral reefs, overseeing land‑based and offshore facilities in the US Virgin Islands.

Key responsibilities

• Direct day‑to‑day hatchery operations, including broodstock conditioning, spawning induction, larval rearing, and outplanting of long‑spined sea urchins.
• Develop and refine scalable rearing pipelines for secondary urchin species and Caribbean king crabs, establishing biosecure habitats and SOPs.
• Lead and train Conservation Technicians, Apprentices, and interns in biosecurity, water chemistry, live‑feed production, and animal handling.
• Operate and maintain modular container labs, plumbing, pumps, aeration, UV sterilizers, skimmers, and biofiltration systems, ensuring rigorous water‑quality monitoring.
• Produce micro‑ and macro‑algae live feeds, fabricate offshore larval collectors, and conduct field restocking and benthic acclimation.

Required profile

• B.S. in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands‑on experience culturing marine invertebrates through gamete extraction, fertilization, larval stages, and post‑settlement grow‑out.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot biological, mechanical, and life‑support system challenges independently.
• Active SCUBA certification (or ability to obtain) and comfort operating on small field vessels.
• Valid U.S. work authorization and driver’s license.

Required skills

• Aquaculture hatchery techniques (shaker tables, bottle culture, planktonic suspension systems).
• Microalgal culture maintenance and sterile laboratory techniques.
• Life‑support system plumbing, pump operation, filtration, and water‑testing instrumentation.
• Marine invertebrate husbandry (Diadema antillarum, Tripneustes, Echinometra, Lytechinus, Maguimithrax).
• SCUBA diving for field servicing and outplanting.

What we offer

• Salary $55,000 – $75,000 per year.
• 100% employer‑covered health, dental, and vision premiums.
• 401(k) with 5% employer contribution.
• 15 days PTO annually plus 10 paid holidays.
• Coral World Ocean Park admission discounts and co‑authorship on publications.