Aquaculture Operations Manager

Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI); Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer contribution

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI) seeks an Aquaculture Operations Manager to lead day-to-day hatchery operations for native invertebrate herbivores, including Diadema antillarum, at land-based facilities and offshore nurseries on St. Thomas.

The role drives propagation, biosecurity, and data for USVI restoration efforts. Reporting to the Coral Reef Restoration Scientist and Executive Director, you will supervise technicians, maintain LSS systems, and support outreach; grant-funded

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, or related field
• Direct experience culturing marine invertebrates through all life stages
• Ability to troubleshoot biological and LSS challenges
• Proficiency in microalgal culture and sterile techniques
• Experience with shaker tables or plankton culture systems
• LSS plumbing, pumps, filtration, and water-testing instrumentation
• SCUBA certification and US work authorization
• Driver's license

Responsibilities

• Lead hatchery operations and broodstock conditioning
• Manage modular aquaculture facilities and raceways
• Oversee live-feed production and algae cultures
• Train technicians and interns in biosecurity and water quality
• Maintain data and assist in grant progress reporting
• Fabricate offshore larval collectors and in-water enclosures
• Collaborate with scientists to meet grant milestones

Skills

Aquaculture

Marine biology

Hatchery operations

Water quality monitoring

SCUBA certification

Team leadership

Problem solving

Biosecurity

Education

B.S. in Aquaculture or Marine Biology

Tools

Shaker tables

Kreisels

Water-testing instruments

Job description

Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Salary: $55,000 - $75,000/year (commensurate with experience)

Supervisor: Coral Reef Restoration and Research Scientist

Classification: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt (Grant-funded through Sept. 30, 2029)

About CWORI

Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit on St. Thomas, USVI, dedicated to conserving marine habitats and wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, restoration, research, and public education.

Purpose of the Position

The Aquaculture Operations Manager leads the propagation of native invertebrate herbivores to restore Caribbean coral reefs. Operating out of land-based facilities and offshore nurseries, this role produces ecologically viable herbivores for outplanting around St. Thomas and St. John, aligning with territorial milestones in the USVI Coral Reef Restoration Plan and partnerships with the National Park Service. Funded through September 30, 2029.

Job Summary

An autonomous, hands-on role directing day-to-day hatchery operations with the support of Conservation Technicians. Oversees modular containerized facilities (20-ft aquaculture container, 40-ft grow-out container), outdoor land-based raceways, and permitted in-water nurseries.

Primary tasks focus on closed-cycle sexual propagation of the keystone long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) via shaker tables/kreisels, wild recruit capture, and live-feed cultivation (micro- and macroalgae). Additional targets include establishing rearing protocols for other grazers (Tripneustes ventricosus, Lytechinus variegatus, Echinometra viridis, and Maguimithrax spinosissimus).

• Diadema Cultivation & Husbandry: Lead broodstock conditioning, spawning induction, fertilization, larval rearing (shaker tables/kreisels), biofilm/CCA settlement induction, raceway grow-out, and behavioral conditioning (sheltering behavior) for outplanting.
• Multi-Taxa Husbandry: Refine scalable rearing pipelines for secondary urchin species and Caribbean king crabs; develop biosecure habitats suppressing aggression/cannibalism; establish standard feeding and SOP protocols.
• Technician Leadership: Serve as primary technical lead on the hatchery floor; direct and train Conservation Apprentices, Technicians, and interns in biosecurity, water chemistry, live-feeds, and animal handling.
• Facilities & Life Support Systems (LSS): Operate and maintain modular container labs, plumbing, pumps, aeration, UV sterilizers, skimmers, and biofiltration arrays; manage rigorous water quality monitoring protocols.
• Live Feeds Production: Independently maintain starter flasks to scaled microalgae cultures; operate macroalgae culture systems; manage fortified nutritional regimes.
• Field & Restoration Operations: Fabricate and service offshore larval collectors; transition wild recruits into lab raceways; construct in-water enclosures; execute field restocking and benthic corral acclimation. Maintain audit-ready data and assist in grant progress reporting.
• Workplace & Community: Collaborate closely with the Coral Reef Restoration Scientist and Executive Director to hit grant milestones. Support educational tours and outreach lessons when systems are operational.

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, or related discipline (or equivalent practical hatchery experience).
• Direct experience culturing marine invertebrates through gamete extraction, fertilization, larval stages, and post-settlement grow-out.
• Proven ability to independently troubleshoot biological, mechanical, and LSS challenges.
• Proficiency in microalgal culture maintenance and sterile laboratory technique.
• Experience with mechanical shaker tables, bottle culture, or planktonic suspension systems.
• Practical aptitude with LSS plumbing, pumps, filtration, and water-testing instrumentation.
• Active SCUBA certification (or ability to certify) and comfort on small field vessels.
• Valid U.S. work authorization and valid U.S. driver's license.

Preferred

• Direct experience culturing Diadema antillarum, Tripneustes, Echinometra, Lytechinus, or Maguimithrax.
• Field experience servicing moorings, mid-water traps, or underwater nurseries.
• Supervisory/mentorship experience with biological technicians or students.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (carboys, equipment, feed).
• Comfortable working outdoors in tropical conditions (heat, sun, offshore sea states) and in modular shipping-container labs.
• Regular open-water SCUBA diving for field servicing and outplanting.
• Full-time (40 hrs/wk; typically Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) with flexibility for off-hour spawning, system alarms, and storm/hurricane preparations.
• Health: 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision premiums for employees.
• Retirement: 401(k) with 5% employer contribution.
• Leave: 15 days PTO accrued annually (post-probationary period) + 10 paid organizational holidays.
• Park & Professional Perks: Coral World Ocean Park admission discounts; co-authorship on publications and restoration frameworks.