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Job description

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

Employer: The Oyster Restoration Company (Ltd)

Division: Aquaculture and Restoration

Location: Orkney, with the potential of a permanent position at Aultbea,
Scotland, United Kingdom

Position Title: Hatchery Technician

Date: December 2022

1. POSITION SUMMARY
Does aquaculture hatcheries and restocking the world’s oceans 1 million oysters at a time excite you? At The Oyster Restoration Company our mission is to make our seas and oceans more sustainable by creating a huge and reliable supply of oysters. Come join us as we help the world to transform the oyster industry through sustainable, restorative, and innovative operations that seek to drastically help decarbonisation, a million oysters at a time.

The Oyster Restoration Company is a commercial shellfish hatchery specialising in the hatchery production of native flat oysters for the environmental, restoration and farming markets. We are currently seeking the role of Hatchery Technician to join our team.
This position is a hands-on role that will be responsible for assisting The Oyster Restoration
Team to achieve hatchery wide success. This can include but is not limited too; the general day-to-day husbandry of the family groups, algae production, larval rearing, system construction and spat servicing and maintenance. Specialisation in an area of the hatchery will occur after 3 months.
The incumbent will work independently to meet weekly and monthly production goals, under the guidance of the hatchery manager.

The position will be initially based at Orkney, with the potential of being relocated to the commercial hatchery site at Aultbea in 2023.

2. PRIMARY TASKS
This position will assist with:

• Broodstock inputs, quarantine maintenance and upkeep.
• Conditioning and spawning of selected broodstock families.
• Maintain Microalgae for feeding larval, juvenile and broodstock oysters.
• Utilise aseptic techniques to maintain high quality algal cultures in batch and bioreactor growing chambers including frequent autoclaving of media and equipment.
• Maintenance of the algal photobioreactors, including filter replacements, cleaning, implementing improvements to the equipment with guidance from the Industrial

Plankton technical team.

• Undertake building and construction of aquaculture systems.
• Daily husbandry of oyster larvae, seed and spat on shell.
• Ability to identify and act on immediate issues within the hatchery, general projects, and problem solve creatively and rapidly either independently or through effective communication with the wider team.
• Packing and transportation of oysters to the commercial hatchery, which may include freshly spawned larvae.
• There is an expectation that the successful candidates will be willing to involve themselves with varied tasks as part of a close-knit team and help build a happy and successful workplace.

3. SELECTION CRITERIA
To perform the job successfully.

• Degree level qualification in Aquaculture/Fisheries/Science or >3 years shellfish hatchery experience.
• Excellent verbal and good written communication skills.
• Outstanding organisational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse team environment and establish positive working relationships with colleagues, including regular reporting to the hatchery manager.
• Willingness to work flexible days including weekends on a rotating hatchery roster.
• Demonstrated ability to manage records and data with a high level of accuracy.
• A right to work and reside within the United Kingdom.
• Current United Kingdom “B” Class Drivers licence. For staff appointed from outside the

UK, you must apply for a UK drivers’ licence within twelve (12) months of being within the country.

4. SUPERVISION
Immediate Supervisor:

• Hatchery Manager

5. POSITION RELATIONSHIPS
The appointee must relate in an effective way with:

• Company director(s), CEO and consultants appointed by the company.
• The Managing Director.
• Guests and visiting dignitaries.

6. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee may frequently be required to lift up to 20 kg/ 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand and /or walk for up to 10 hours per day.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, twist and squat.
• Proper lifting techniques and back supports should be used when working with heavy materials.
• In addition, the use of safety gear is required for all pertinent jobs. There will typically be other co-workers that can assist with jobs that require substantial lifting, etc.

7. WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Most work is performed inside the seed, spat on shell, and packing production areas.
• At times you may be required to work within other production areas of the shellfish hatchery.
• The company has a strict no alcohol and no drug use policy.
• A probationary period of 3 months applies.

8. HIGH NOISE AREAS
The daily operation of pumps, blowers and monitoring equipment in confined rooms generates noise levels that require the wearing of ear protection. Protection earmuffs/plugs are provided.

9. VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT & KEYBOARDS
Computer access will be granted to the successful appointee. The position will require regular input of data into spreadsheets and the emailing of data to the relevant parties.
Average computer use should not exceed two-three hours per day.

10. OPERATIONS PRODUCING IRRITANTS
The daily sterilisation of tanks and equipment involves the use of chlorine, ozone and acid.
Protective gloves and glasses are provided. Some toxic chemicals e.g. ozone and fixatives are used under strictly controlled conditions. Fine dust resulting from the production of feeds may be prevalent and respirators are provided.

11. HANDLING & EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS
Regular but short duration handling and exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals requires training and use of protective clothing and equipment (e.g., gloves, respirators).

12. USE OR CARE OF PRODUCTION & EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
The position will involve the care of oyster spat. To minimise spiking from oysters and their shells, gloves are provided. In addition, daily maintenance of seed tanks and spat on shell production systems will be required.

13. WORKING OUTDOORS
The position may involve a considerable duration working outdoors. To minimise exposure to winter weather, a rain suit and wellingtons will be provided. During summer months, sunscreen will be provided and the wearing of a long sleeved, collar shirt for working outdoors is encouraged.

14. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
The position is a full-time, permanent contracted position and provides the successful candidate with an unprecedented opportunity to be involved in this organisation as it grows.
Hours – nominally 37.5hrs per week. Some weekend and evening or early morning duties around logistic requirements will be required so a flexible outlook to duty periods will be necessary. Where hours exceed the stated, time off in lieu may be considered and is at discretion of the hatchery manager.
Holiday entitlement – Initially 20 days plus Scottish National/Local bank holidays (or time off in lieu).

Pension arrangements – A workplace pension scheme will be provided as required by
UK legislation.
Salary - Initial salary range £25,000 per annum.

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Aultbea, Highland: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Reference ID: TORC Hatchery Technician