NJ Civil Service Navigator

AQUARIST

Code: 05907 Local Competitive

Aquarist is a local-government title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.

The main requirement is 1 year of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

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Where this title is used

Aquarist is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

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.

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.

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, skills 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.

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.