Aquaculture Production and Technical Specialist
KMD Associates
Bradenton, Florida
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JOB DETAILS
LOCATION
Bradenton, Florida
POSTED
13 days ago
Overview:
Waterfield Technologies Inc, (WTI) in partnership with KMD is looking for full-time workers, interested in pursuing a career in freshwater aquaculture with an interest in sustainable food production. WTI is an agricultural production, service, sales, and research company that focuses specifically on aquaculture, hydroponics, and all the systems that interconnect these two production methods.
The current production focus is on breeding multitrophic aquaculture seed (fry) for sale. Research focuses on key new production techniques, systems, and genetic advancements that improve yields and productivity across a variety of domestic and international aquaculture systems. Fundamentally, 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.
The Company is currently focused on work with Tilapia, but will be adding fresh-water Crustaceans and Mollusks over time. The Company has been operating since 1993, and has used 46+ generations of continuous genetic improvements to support aquaculture producers in lowering their production costs via improved growth rates and better feed efficiency while maintaining disease resistance and robustness.
WTI is on a journey of sustainable, economic growth in a market with limitless opportunities. WTI is building a new Technological Production Department to cover areas such as maintenance and expansion of aquatic systems, supporting commodity distribution infrastructure, procurement activities, and R&D. The Department will also be responsible for working with new technological solutions to automate aquaculture production, improve fish health/animal welfare, and to reduce WTI's environmental footprint. To achieve these goals, WTI must boost the organization with with new competence.
WTI is looking for an entry level Technical Specialist looking to join this new Department and develop a high competence in building, operating, and maintaining aquaculture systems. The Specialist will work directly with WTI leadership, working on maintaining systems, improving existing projects, R&D, and new project construction. This work will encompass all phases including planning, evaluating, designing, engineering, and project management of WTI facilities both domestic and abroad. This work will also extend to client properties, ensuring their continued success in partnership with WTI.
To emphasize, this an aquaculture facility. A Technical Specialist will get wet, work in and out of large fish tanks, and spend the vast majority of their time outside, rain or shine. Similarly, a Technical Specialist will be working with existing, old 'farm-grade' equipment and infrastructure. A euphemism for building inexpensively, and not always in the best way. A Technical Specialist will need to have aptitude and patience for working with older, funky equipment.
Qualifications:
Waterfield Technologies Inc, (WTI) in partnership with KMD is looking for full-time workers, interested in pursuing a career in freshwater aquaculture with an interest in sustainable food production. WTI is an agricultural production, service, sales, and research company that focuses specifically on aquaculture, hydroponics, and all the systems that interconnect these two production methods.
The current production focus is on breeding multitrophic aquaculture seed (fry) for sale. Research focuses on key new production techniques, systems, and genetic advancements that improve yields and productivity across a variety of domestic and international aquaculture systems. Fundamentally, 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.
The Company is currently focused on work with Tilapia, but will be adding fresh-water Crustaceans and Mollusks over time. The Company has been operating since 1993, and has used 46+ generations of continuous genetic improvements to support aquaculture producers in lowering their production costs via improved growth rates and better feed efficiency while maintaining disease resistance and robustness.
WTI is on a journey of sustainable, economic growth in a market with limitless opportunities. WTI is building a new Technological Production Department to cover areas such as maintenance and expansion of aquatic systems, supporting commodity distribution infrastructure, procurement activities, and R&D. The Department will also be responsible for working with new technological solutions to automate aquaculture production, improve fish health/animal welfare, and to reduce WTI's environmental footprint. To achieve these goals, WTI must boost the organization with with new competence.
WTI is looking for an entry level Technical Specialist looking to join this new Department and develop a high competence in building, operating, and maintaining aquaculture systems. The Specialist will work directly with WTI leadership, working on maintaining systems, improving existing projects, R&D, and new project construction. This work will encompass all phases including planning, evaluating, designing, engineering, and project management of WTI facilities both domestic and abroad. This work will also extend to client properties, ensuring their continued success in partnership with WTI.
To emphasize, this an aquaculture facility. A Technical Specialist will get wet, work in and out of large fish tanks, and spend the vast majority of their time outside, rain or shine. Similarly, a Technical Specialist will be working with existing, old 'farm-grade' equipment and infrastructure. A euphemism for building inexpensively, and not always in the best way. A Technical Specialist will need to have aptitude and patience for working with older, funky equipment.
Qualifications:
- Graduate or undergraduate with a strong interest in environmental science, marine biology, aquaculture, engineering, or related fields with a preference for a 3.0 GPA, but open to individuals who do not test well in school but can demonstrate knowledge in the field with a strong work ethic, and aptitude for on-the-job learning.
- Interest in mechanical/maintenance/system design work as well as hands-on technical production work.
- Coachable, agile learner, consistent work ethic.
- Willingness and eagerness to learn across a wide-range of disciplines.
- Experience with Microsoft and Mac applications, attention to detail for data gathering, charts, and checklists.
- Independent, self-motivated worker who is well organized, neat, and safe.
- A 'make it work' attitude, a willingness to try and find solutions.
- Willing to get wet - work in fish tanks, outside on a farm, etc.
- Strong communication skills.
- Physically fit (able to lift 50lb).
- Strong interest in the global seafood industry, aquaculture.
- Open to travel (domestic & international).
- Bilingual (Spanish) a huge plus.
Responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Repairing/Expanding existing greenhouse infrastructure, production buildings.
- Repairing/Building new fish tanks, along with their support systems (electric, plumbing, fluid dynamics, etc.).
- Light carpentry (repairing wooden equipment, small sheds, etc.
- Basic metalwork (steel greenhouse framing, welding experience a bonus but not required).
- Basic electrical system troubleshooting and repair (GFI circuit breakers, single, three-phase motors).
- Basic alarm control circuits NO/NC, replay based control systems.
- Light engine maintenance (generators, pumps, air blowers, pressure washers, etc.).
- Plumbing (PVC, copper, black-iron pipe).
- Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) maintenance (drum filters, bio-filters, Speece Cones).
- Work with software interfaces of control systems, alarm systems, variable frequency drives.
- Mechanical aptitude, applying common sense and safety practices while using tools and equipment.
- Property/landscaping work, cutting grass, pruning bushes, trees if/when needed.
- Development of daily, weekly, monthly checklists, parts/inventory database.
- Design/Procurement work on Mac computers.
Job specifics:
- Entry-level pay scale, with the opportunity to grow with a rapidly growing company.
- Full-time on-site housing is available depending on need or preference.
- Standard benefits include paid vacations, paid sick days, wellness bonus.
- Full medical/health insurance not currently offered, although coming in the future.
Contact:
- Please contact John Cunningham (jcunningham115@gmail.com) with any questions.
About the Company
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