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Salary– DOE

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Curator this position is responsible for providing general animal care and support for the Steinhart Aquarium’s living collection in various habitat areas as assigned. Cleans habitats and holding areas, monitors animal health, makes frequent daily rounds, reports suspected animal or water quality problems to the Curator and Animal Health Department, maintains accurate records, may participate in collection of specimens, may participate in animal transportation and shipments, and may travel on Aquarium business. Work schedule will include weekends, evenings and holidays. Provides animal and plant care and support for the Academy’s living collection, primarily in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Preferred candidates will have experience in the handling of venomous and dangerous animals and familiarity with training and enrichment of avians, herptiles and elasmobranchs.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for the general care and maintenance of one or more of the following: fresh and saltwater aquariums, terrestrial invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, bird, plant and mammal habitats and holding areas.
  • Provides a high standard of daily husbandry care and habitat maintenance including animal feedings, habitat and back of house cleaning, health monitoring and environmental sampling.
  • Participates in the animal enrichment and training program.
  • Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required.
  • Provides backup and support for areas assigned to other staff as the Primary and/or Secondary backup during their normal days off and holidays.
  • Actively seeks further training with all taxa represented in the living collection.
  • Assists in the acquisition of living specimens following the collection plan developed by Curators and Associate Director, including specimens for display and feeding.
  • Assists in the design and preparation of new display environments and habitats.
  • Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers.
  • Effectively communicates to the Aquarium management and staff.
  • Follows all Academy and Aquarium safety regulations.
  • Participates in Academy committees and work groups as needed.
  • Becomes fluent in our animal data software program – ZIMS.
  • Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and effective working relations with fellow employees.
  • Actively participates in a culture promoting trust, respect and accountability.
  • Presents programs to the general public, media and in professional meetings.
  • Conducts general tours of the Aquarium and its support spaces.
  • Answers questions from the general public through a variety of means.
  • Interacts with professional colleagues, guests, the media and the general public in a professional manner.
  • Follows all Academy safety regulations.
  • Other duties of a similar scope and nature as otherwise assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION:
A qualified candidate will have a combination of the following experience and/or equivalent education:

  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, or a related field of study.
  • Previous work experience (paid or unpaid) in an aquarium, zoo or aquaculture facility preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Basic knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection.
  • Basic knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
  • Basic knowledge of public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping and life support systems.
  • Basic knowledge of natural animal habitats and the ability to duplicate them in a controlled environment.
  • Basic knowledge of record-keeping software such as ZIMS, Formstack, and Google Drive.
  • Excellent observation skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Effective at multitasking, adapting, and prioritizing.
  • Ability to present programs and effectively convey information to guests, the general public, the media, colleagues, and in professional meetings.
  • Ability to work as a member of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect and accountability.
  • Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.
  • Familiarity with scientific research projects.
  • Experience caring for exotic animals, aquarium fishes, invertebrates, plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds and/or mammals.
  • Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry.
  • Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid Certification.
  • Must be able to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
  • Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs.
  • Must be able to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time.
  • Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
  • Must be able to swim.
  • Must be able to use extension poles, long-handled nets and shepherd’s hooks.
  • Must be able to work with, or adjacent to, venomous and dangerous animals.