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State of North Carolina

Aquarist- AQM60034920

Salary$36k – $50k
LocationCarteret County, NC
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityEntry
Experience2+ yrs
DepartmentAquariums
Company size10,000+ people
First seenOct 8, 2026 · 3d ago
Verified live1d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Must have6
Bachelor's degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, Conservation, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution
Two years of museum or related work
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
Must be able to climb ladders and traverse stairs
Must be capable of working in hot, humid, and wet conditions
Nice to have3
Experience working with aquatic and terrestrial animal husbandry, including fresh and saltwater fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds in a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, Hatchery, Aquaculture Facility, or nature center
Experience maintaining life support systems and associated water chemistry at a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, Hatchery, Aquaculture Facility, or nature center
Experience with operant conditioning, training, and behavioral enrichment of animals in a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, or comparable setting
Eligibility2
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
Recommended candidate will be subject to a background check prior to hiring
Agency
Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division
Aquariums
Job Classification Title
Museum Curator I (NS)
Position Number
60034920
Grade
NC06
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 at Pine Knoll Shores is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as an Aquarist. Reporting to the Aquarium Curator, this position will be responsible for the daily care of all animals in the display, holding and quarantine systems. This individual is also required to maintain life support systems as well as habitat and behind the scenes aesthetics.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
• Maintaining the Aquarium’s terrestrial and aquatic animal collection and associated quarantine area
• Assisting with the care and collection planning of the education program animals.
• Recognizing symptoms of disease and poor animal health and administering appropriate treatments, including quarantine of newly acquired specimens.
• An understanding of operant conditioning, and implementation of behavior training
• Maintaining life support systems.
• Maintaining water chemistry in all assigned systems.
• Managing effective quarantine of newly acquired specimens.
• Ability to work within permitting guidelines of protected species
• Maintaining accurate data bases.
• Designing and creating new exhibits.
• Conducting SCUBA assisted diving to maintain clean habitats and life support systems, performing educational dive programs, and collecting new specimens.
• Acquiring and collecting new animals for display
• Responding to animal strandings and rehabilitation.
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:
Nice to have
· Experience working with aquatic and terrestrial animal husbandry, including fresh and saltwater fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds in a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, Hatchery, Aquaculture Facility, or nature center.
· Experience maintaining life support systems and associated water chemistry at a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, Hatchery, Aquaculture Facility, or nature center.
· Experience with operant conditioning, training, and behavioral enrichment of animals in a public Aquarium, Zoo, Museum, or comparable setting.
Position/Physical Requirements:
· Weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required.
· 8:00 Am to 5:00 PM, M-F
· 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.
· Must be able to climb ladders and traverse stairs.
· Must be capable of working in hot, humid, and wet conditions.
***This position is located at:***1 Roosevelt Blvd
Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Follow us on Social Media at: Learn about the NC Aquariums: https://www.ncaquariums.comwww.facebook.com/NCAquariumFFwww.facebook.com/NCaquariumPKSwww.facebook.com/NCAquariumRI
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.
Supplemental and Contact Information
Division Description
The mission of the North Carolina Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments. This mission is achieved by attracting, retaining and developing a world class team of professionals; providing visitors with outstanding exhibits, experiences and customer service; practicing sustainability, internal customer service and fiscal responsibility; and working to save and restore aquatic species and habitats.
Section/Unit Description:
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is located 6 miles from Morehead City, NC, on Bogue Banks, sits adjacent to Bogue Sound. A living collection of over 4,500 animals in 90,000 square feet of exhibit space attracts and engages over 400,000 visitors each year. The Aquarium is located in the middle of Roosevelt Natural Area, a state park of maritime forest and wetland ecosystems.
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Legal
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.
We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.
Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.
•
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
•
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. The hiring process may take several weeks.
•
Be sure to complete the application in full. Applicants are unable to submit more than one application to an individual posting. Only one application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM on the night prior to the closing date.
Degree/College Credit Verification
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.
Veteran’s and National Guard Preference
Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.
ADA Accommodations
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
Employment Eligibility
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).
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
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Mike Peele
Email:
[email protected]
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