Environmental Quality & Facilities Specialist

Job Title: Environmental Quality & Facilities Specialist

Posting Date: November 2026

Job Department: Facilities

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site

Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking an Environmental Quality & Facilities Specialist to provide program management, as well as administrative and operational support to the VP of Environmental Quality and Facilities and Facilities Operations, Life Support, and Capital Planning departments. The role facilitates cross-departmental project communications from kickoff through closeout; manages calendars, communications, and priorities; and owns recurring facilities and budget programs, including integrated pest management (IPM), vendor service contracts, invoicing, and compliance tracking. This role works closely with the VP of Environmental Quality and Facilities, as well as the division directors and project managers, as coordinator and liaison with finance, animal care, the executive team, and outside contractors. Because contractor access, building work, and pest control all touch live animal exhibits, the role plays a direct part in animal welfare and guest experience.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

• Manage recurring vendor service programs (e.g., waste and recycling, elevator and escalator, fire and life safety inspections, HVAC, controls, life support, and chemical plans) including schedules, renewals, and performance tracking.
• Maintain a compliance and inspection calendar for permits, certifications, and regulatory filings; flag upcoming deadlines to responsible staff.
• Assist the fleet managers and the Building Operations Director with administration of the Aquarium fleet, to include invoice processing and registration tracking.
• Support accreditation, audit, and sustainability reporting (e.g., AZA, energy and water use) with data collection and documentation.
• Manage the Aquariums IPM program: manage the pest control contractor; establish inter-departmental processes in collaboration with Animal Care and Animal Health teams; schedule service visits, track sightings and service logs; maintain approved-product lists and Safety Data Sheets (SDS); ensure pesticide use near exhibits follows Aquarium protocols and applicable regulations.
• Partner with project managers to facilitate facilities, capital, and exhibit projects from kickoff through closeout.
• Build and maintain project schedules, trackers, and dashboards (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, and Asset Essentials).
• Track project submittals, RFIs, change orders, permits, and closeout documents for project managers (warranties, O&M manuals, as-builts).
• Prepare status updates and summary reports for the VP and leadership.
• Process purchase requisitions, POs, invoices, and credit card reconciliations; track spending against division budgets.
• Request and compare quotes, route contracts and certificates of insurance (COIs) for approval, and track contract expirations.
• Assist with annual operating and capital budget preparation.
• Manage calendars, meetings, and travel; prioritize requests for strategic work.
• Prepare agendas, take and distribute meeting notes, and track action items to completion.
• Draft, edit, and format correspondence, reports, presentations, and leadership materials.
• Coordinate division-wide meetings, trainings, onboarding logistics, and team events.
• Maintain organized shared files, SharePoint/Teams sites, and division documentation.
• Administer and monitor the work order / CMMS system. Assist in routing, tracking, and closing work orders, in collaboration with the managers and directors of work groups.
• Build reports and simple dashboards on work order volume, program activity, and project status.
• Keep procedures, SOPs, contact lists, and program documentation current.
• Maintain safety training records and coordinate required trainings for the division (e.g., LOTO, confined space, chemical handling).
• Work with VP of Environmental Quality and Facilities to create and maintain the institution's Chemical Hygiene Program.
• Follow all applicable OSHA, pesticide, and chemical handling regulations and Aquarium safety programs.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three to five years of administrative, project coordination, or operations support experience, ideally in facilities, engineering, or a zoo, aquarium, museum, or hospital setting.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple deadlines at once, with strong follow-through.
• Experience managing vendors, service contracts, and scheduled programs (facilities management, life support, controls system, pest management, inspections, or similar).
• Demonstrated excellence in collaboration and communication skills among diverse teams and departments.
• Proficiency with systems and tools related to finance, reporting, work orders, facilities management, and project management.
• Familiarity with purchasing, invoicing, and budget tracking.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated comfort working across departments, skill levels, management, trades, and scientific staff.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and discretion with confidential information.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($45,000-$55,699 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium's award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium's mission-to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet-begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals-to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.