Position Summary

The Commissary Technician I will be expected to prepare animal diets accurately and efficiently for the Animal Care Team. This position is expected to play a supportive role in the Commissary and apply high work standards and judgement. Teamwork, good communication, and flexibility in a dynamic work environment are essential. They will develop skillsets both independently, and as part of a team, in providing the highest level of food handling practices and attention to detail.

Essential Position Functions

• Proficient at daily commissary operations including diet preparation (frozen, fresh, and prepared) and breakout of produce, frozen (fish/meat) products and other dietary items as needed
• Follow USDA and AZA standards for food handling and maintaining live food cultures
• Utilize fine motor skills for coordination and manual dexterity on a daily basis to safely handle sharp knives during food preparation
• Uphold safe and ergonomically effective operational practices
• Comply with standard operating procedures
• Effectively track commissary food, vitamins/supplements, and supplies
• Maintain commissary and storage areas in a safe and sanitary manner according to USDA and AZA inspection readiness
• Ability to work in coolers (35°F to 40°F) and freezers (
• Deliver extraordinary customer service to all aquarium guests and internal customers
• Develop and maintain exemplary communication with team members
• Assure behavior meets the TFA values of Respect, Trust, and Excellence

Secondary Position Functions

• Completes required training courses and assigned job-related reading
• Maintains tools and equipment necessary for diet preparation and food storage
• Ensures accurate record keeping through consistent utilization of electronic record keeping system
• Provides commissary training for Animal Care staff, volunteers, and interns within scope of position
• Participates in meetings with Supervisor, Commissary Technicians, and other aquarium departments
• All other duties as required

Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills

• Minimum of 1 years’ experience in a facility working with aquatic and terrestrial animals as well as previous experience in food handling, preparation, and warehouse activities in the food service industry or at a zoo or aquarium
• Ability to operate and maintain tools and equipment necessary for the preparation of diets including but not limited to grinders, knife sharpeners, blenders, scales, mixers, hand trucks, pallet jacks, knives, and hot plate
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Knowledge of animal record keeping systems (ZIMS/Tracks) preferred
• Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays

Competencies

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork — Support, facilitate, and participate in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrate sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and support team goals.
• Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency — Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiency
• Communication (oral and written) — Effectively express ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listen to individuals and groups; prepare and focus presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; express ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
• Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item.
• Work Standards – Applies high performance standards to all work-related activities.
• Judgment — Decide on and commit to an action on the examination of the facts at hand; find creative solutions to situations and opportunities that arise; take strategic risks when necessary.
  

Typical Physical Requirements

• Standing (up to 8 hours per day)
• Walking (up to 4 hours per day)
• Bending/Stooping/Squatting — Frequently
• Sitting – Occasionally (up to 2 hours per day)
• Crawling — Occasionally
• Climbing heights (12’) — Frequently
• Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
• Crouching/Kneeling — Frequently
• Balancing — Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
• Lifting (in excess of 70 lbs.) - Occasionally
• Carrying (in excess of 70 lbs.) - Occasionally
• Using hands for repetitive movements and fine manipulation – Frequently
• Regular exposure to cleaning products and sanitizers
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
• Exposure to cold temperatures for extended periods of time
• Exposure to seafood and nuts
• Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained
• Operating machinery
• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to operate in the field
• Ability to travel as needed – locally and/or nationally