Aquaculture Maintenance/Production Technician

Looking for a worker interested in helping to maintain and expand our Aquaculture-related business.

WTI operates a multitrophic aquaculture facility that provides seeds (juveniles for stocking) of several freshwater species, supplying a wide range of aquaculture farms across the United States and Caribbean.

WTI works at the intersection of animals, plants, and bacterial communities that all must work together for consistent operations as well as optimized yields and profits.

Ideal candidates are interested in pursuing a career in freshwater aquaculture with an interest in sustainable food production, but no aquaculture experience is required. If Aquaculture, agriculture, or farming of any kind has been of interest, but have no experience, this can be a great way to learn.

Maintenance and construction work will involve tasks like repairing or expanding existing greenhouses, production buildings, and fish tanks along with their support systems like electrical and plumbing. This work will require a high level of mechanical aptitude and common sense using tools and equipment. Existing systems are "Farm-Grade" which is a euphemism for building inexpensively, not always the best way, and many are old. So some aptitude for dealing with 'funky' old equipment is a plus. The company is under new management and old systems are slowly being upgraded and replaced, but a lot of older systems still need to be used and maintained until there is time for all areas to be overhauled.

Areas of work will range from:

• Light carpentry - building / repairing of wooden equipment, small sheds, etc.
• Basic metalwork - repairing of steel greenhouse frames, some welding experience a +, but not required.
• Handling use and repair of greenhouse polyethylene plastic.
• Basic electrical systems and troubleshooting areas like GFI circuit breakers, 120, 240v circuit breakers, single and three phase motors.
• Basic alarm/ control circuits like NO/ NC and relay-based control systems, simple alarm circuits, preferred, but not required - we will train.
• Light engine maintenance for backup electrical generators, gas water pumps, power washers, etc.
• Familiarity with basic parts of gas water heaters (Thermocouples, gas valves, etc.).
• Plumbing of PVC, copper, or black-iron pipe.
• Basic electric water pumps and air blower maintenance.
• Ideally, familiarity with basic water recirculating systems like drum-filters, bio-filters, O2 supersaturators and similar equipment, but not required - we will train.
• Light computer work sufficient to maintain weekly & monthly check lists, and use and update maintenance databases.
• Work with (or tolerance of generally convoluted) software interfaces of alarm control systems, and devices like Variable Frequency Drives.
• General computer system network maintenance, like servicing replacing ethernet cables, & ideally familiar with modems, WiFi extension networks, and similar. But not required, we will train.
• Physical work like clearing flood drainage ditches, (some hand digging needed) cutting back trees, bushes and basic yard work like mowing and weed-whacking.

Requirements:

• A passion to work in Aquaculture, and support the farmers we serve.
• Experience in 2/3rds of all the above areas is required, and a strong desire to learn the other 1/3rd is necessary.
• The ability to drive a truck and trailer and assist with deliveries if needed is an added benefit.
• Knowing how to use a manual transmission/ clutch and gear shifts a plus.
• A lot of work is electrical, on 110, 220v and 3 phase equipment, so if no experience with electrical systems, then a strong willingness to learn is essential, and no 'phobias' about electricity required.
• Being organized and Neat and Safe is an essential requirement. (Applicants with OCD about overly neat & organization preferred).
• Familiarity with many parts supply houses like Grainger's, McMaster-Carr etc, and ways to find and order sometimes obscure parts. (we tend to fix systems wherever possible rater than just replace), and always keep stocked all needed spare parts on site.
• Good computer skills in basic Word, Excel and database use preferred. We primarily use Apple/ Macintosh computers but strong PC skills helpful.
• Good Aptitude and Attitude to learn and 'make it work' in spite of the chalenges is essential.
• Experience on oceans research, marine science, oceanography, marine biology and related are a plus.
• Experience on boats, sail or powered, a plus, even though we currently use no boats. Many of our systems need to be equivalent to 'marine grade'.
• Ideally, some understanding of fish biology and basic areas is needed for maintaining healthy aquatic animals. But not required - we will train.

This position will be focused primarily on maintaining and expanding existing facilities but will have some requirements to help the production team when they are short-handed. While this is initially a maintenance position, you will be trained on all daily production operations so you know better how to maintain and support all systems. In time a transition to the production side is possible, and if you have more of an interest in production, but still outstanding maintenance skills, this can be a good way to enter into the production side of the company.

There is a lot of team-work required keeping maintenance ahead of the production Teams needs, but the ability to work on one's own and be self-motivated is important. The candidate needs to be physically fit, and able to lift 30 to 50 lb. bags, equipment, etc. A strong ability to handle work outside, often in full sun on hot days, and occasionally in hot greenhouses. Occasionally you will need to work in bathing suits and water shoes when servicing some equipment.

Production work when occasionally needed will involve handling fish, getting into fish tanks to pull nets, grading fish, and similar work.

WTI currently has one production location but will be expanding in several areas in the US, and over time internationally, so there will be room to grow into maintenance, construction, or production work at new locations over the next few years. Depending on the candidate's preferences, the ability to transition into direct production or some research and specialty breeding work locally or at new locations will be an option.

There is an on-site one-bedroom trailer with a kitchen and a separate laundry area. The trailer is rent-free including utilities, WiFi, etc. as part of compensation, for workers who need housing.
On-call night alarm coverage work is needed as part of using the on-site living. On-call alarm coverage is shared with other individuals who also live on-site, so is not a full time requirement, but will require roughly every other to every third week. Some weekends and holidays alarm coverage will be necessary.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, but for lower experienced applicants will start at an entry-level pay scale, but there are multiple opportunities available for overtime, and time and a half for early morning work. In time the position will transition to a salary and work hours will be flexible, getting the work done will mater more than exact # of hours worked.

Standard benefits currently are paid vacations, paid sick days, and wellness bonuses.

Advancement to higher pay levels available in time or new locations.
Full medical insurance /health care plans will be offered at the end of this year.

Please submit your resume, or description of relevant work experience.