Nursery Technician

Job description

August–October: Seed Production and Nursery Preparation

Assist with seasonal oyster seed intake, acclimation, and placement into nursery systems
Assemble and prepare floating nursery equipment, silos, screens, and water circulation systems
Monitor oyster seed performance, feeding activity, and stocking conditions
Clean hatchery workspaces, tanks, pumps, and aquaculture tools used in daily operations
Sort and distribute oyster seed for continued nursery development

November–February: Overwintering and Equipment Maintenance

Maintain oyster seed in overwintering nursery systems under changing seasonal conditions
Inspect, repair, and service aquaculture gear including cages, floats, bags, lines, and dock equipment
Perform routine maintenance on pumps, hoses, filtration systems, and support infrastructure
Record oyster survival, environmental conditions, and nursery system performance
Assist with organization and storage of seasonal farming equipment and materials

March–May: Farm Deployment and Seasonal Grow-Out

Prepare oyster seed for transfer from nursery systems into open-water grow-out areas
Load, transport, and deploy cages, bags, and shellfish farming equipment by vessel
Assist with grading, sorting, and density management of juvenile oysters
Conduct routine water quality checks and seasonal farm maintenance activities
Support preparation of production areas for spring and summer operations

June: Harvest Support and Production Activities

Assist with handling, sorting, and movement of oysters during seasonal harvest activities
Maintain harvesting equipment and perform cleaning of work vessels and farm gear
Record production data, inventory counts, and daily operational information
Perform general shellfish farm labor including loading, unloading, washing, and maintenance tasks
Assist with end-of-cycle organization and preparation for transition into the next production season

Special Requirements

One month of experience in oyster aquaculture, marine biology fieldwork, or similar work involving aquatic species or nursery operations.
Willingness to work early mornings or weekends depending on tides or workload.
Ability to follow safety procedures and handle live shellfish and aquaculture equipment.
No formal education required; training will be provided on site.