Position Title:Senior Aquarist- Audubon Aquatic Center
Department:Husbandry
Reports To:Assistant Curator
Location:Audubon Aquatic Center (AAC)
Rate: Starting rate begins at $19.50 pay commensurate with experience
General Summary
The Audubon Aquarium is looking for a motivated individual to add to the team at the Audubon Aquatic Center (AAC), the quarantine facility for the Audubon Aquarium. The Senior Aquarist is a non- supervisory leadership position within the team which is responsible for all aspects of running the AAC, including general husbandry care of a wide range of taxa, exhibit maintenance, daily water quality testing, dosing systems according to veterinary established quarantine protocols, LSS maintenance and repair, and building maintenance projects as needed.
The senior aquarist leads by example in communication, initiative, safety, and understanding of procedures aimed at advancing animal care, AZA and USDA compliance as established by the curatorial team. The Senior Aquarist reports to the Assistant Curator and works closely with the veterinary staff to manage treatment of the animals in quarantine.
To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Senior Aquarist will:
Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality
Approach all encounters with employees and guests in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
Maintain the highest standards related to the day-to-day operations of the Husbandry Department
Work evening, weekend, holiday hours - required.
Return telephone messages and e-mails in a timely fashion
Handle problems in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving problems as necessary.
Identify and correct minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner and report other maintenance needs
Interact positively with the public and co-workers.
Make decisions consistent with Audubon Nature Institute policies and procedures.
Assist with daily duties in all sections as required.
Be required to perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including trash and debris removal, floor cleaning, painting, building repair, horticultural duties, etc.
Establish and maintain effective, efficient and cooperative relationships with employees, senior administration, vendors and customers.
Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards,
Always comply with Audubon Nature Institute standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.
Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience.
Work within the guidelines and mission of the Audubon Nature Institute.
Convey information and ideas clearly.
Conduct behind-the-scenes tours for VIP’s, donors, and Audubon Education programs as scheduled.
Interact with the public to include on and off grounds educational and media presentations.
Develop and present educational programs as required.
Function as an interpreter and represent ANI as a spokesperson.
Compose animal and exhibit information for publication in the following: Audubon’s website, AZA’s website and other publications.
Exhibit the diversity of wildlife.
Animal Care
Provides a high standard of animal care. Experienced with professional animal care and wellbeing standards. Prioritizes preventative care and excellence in animal welfare.
The experience to serve as a mentor and resource to other staff. Leads by example and provides guidance, and identifies resources needed to accomplish section goals.
Uses training (operant conditioning) and enrichment to accomplish behavior and wellbeing goals. Develops and evaluates animal enrichment based on behavioral goals. Identifies areas where training and enrichment can be used to optimize husbandry practices, reduce stress and improve welfare.
Works with veterinary staff to administer animal treatments and assist with procedures.
Follows direction and acts in accordance with all established protocols and procedures. Compliance with all AZA and USDA standards. Assists in recognizing areas where written protocols need to be created or advanced in pursuit of compliance, welfare and consistency in care.
Responsible for all aspects of exhibit maintenance. Accomplishes daily tasks within acceptable/ established timeframe. Proposes advancements and efficiencies.
Monitors exhibit functionality, air and water parameters, identifying and communicating anomalies/concerns promptly.
Accurate recordkeeping for short- and long-term monitoring of health, behavior, tracking trends and advancing animal practices.
Completes professional development as assigned.
Engages guests in pursuit of education and conservation goals. This includes chats, tours, media appearances, ambassador animal programs, etc. Able to represent Audubon Nature Institute with professionalism and in support of mission-oriented efforts.
Possesses strong communication skills, including listening and thoughtful dialogue. Assumes the role as communicator for the section when needed.
Regularly proposes solutions to problems. Looks for creative and productive ways to address problems.
A section leader taking ownership of short and long herm animals management goals aimed at reducing stress, enhancing wellbeing and advancing husbandry practices. Has a positive impact on teambuilding and morale.
Operate a financially self- sufficient collection of museums and parks
Perform basic arithmetic functions and process financial information.
Assist with the preparation of the departmental operating budget as needed.
Strive to operate within budget limitations.
Manage time effectively to eliminate unnecessary overtime.
Enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation
Encourage and support Audubon breeding programs.
Promote, participate in and oversee departmental research and conservation programs,
The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.
To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Senior Aquarist will:
Welcome
Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
Wear identification badge.
Go above and beyond to offer assistance to guests in need.
Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash).
Assume ownership of camera-ready standards in assigned exhibit spaces.
Use proper professional phone etiquette when answering phones on behalf of Audubon.
Refrain from cell phone use in the public space, maintaining a welcome, approachable appearance.
Share
Must meet the standards of guest engagement -positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice, willingness to go above and beyond.
Coach coworkers, interns an volunteers on service expectations, leading by example
Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service. Work with your department and others in pursuit of excellence in customer service.
Share information vital to the team and ANI success freely and in a timely manner. Identify and correct poor communication situations and habits.
Know when to involve management to correct problems in a timely fashion, ideally before they impact a guest. .
Inspire
Acknowledge guests when working in the public space and seize every opportunity to actively engage guests in the wonders of nature
Provide the answers to questions or seek out the answers in an attempt to exceed guest expectations.
Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming. Be an ambassador of Audubon at all times.
Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors. Keep the guest space a positive environment.
Supervision: N/A
Experience
Minimum of five years of paid experience in a zoological facility, public aquarium, or similar facility OR demonstrated and confirmed skill set. An AZA accredited public facility is preferred.
Understanding/ experience with care of aquatic animals/systems in a professional setting with demonstrated success. Experience at AZA accredited public facility is preferred.
Significant experience with a variety of bony fishes, elasmobranchs and aquatic invertebrates. Experience must also include birds, amphibians and reptiles. Experience with collection planning, quarantine, disease recognition and medical treatment of bony fishes, elasmobranchs and aquatic invertebrates.
Familiarity with using professional animal recordkeeping software, ZIMS preferred.
Education
High School diploma (or equivalent) and a degree from a recognized college or university are required. College course work in zoology, biology, animal science or related field is preferred.
Accurate oral and written communication skills.
Licensure/Certification
Must maintain a valid driver’s license
SCUBA certification strongly preferred
First Aid/ CPR preferred
Software Requirements
Proven competency in the application of Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint and Excel computer programs is required.
Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements
Must have the ability to use mobile devices to facilitate effective communication.
Have a general understanding of the use of basic power tools. Ability and willingness to operate power tools, lawn equipment, etc
Basic carpentry, plumbing and horticultural skills are considered an asset.
Physical Requirements
Sitting or standing, bending, stooping and per OSHA regulations: Heavy work involving lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to swim.
If SCUBA certified, the Senior Aquarist, will demonstrate the ability to:
swim efficiently at the surface
swim efficiently underwater
tow another diver while in full SCUBA gear
tread water/float on the surface
assemble, ditch and don SCUBA gear
control of buoyancy using SCUBA
clear SCUBA mask and swim without a mask underwater
regulator skills – recover and clear, and breathe through free-flowing regulator
demonstrate comfort underwater in all conditions, stressful or otherwise
Environmental/Working Conditions
Aquarist must maintain regular attendance in compliance with Audubon standards, as required by scheduling which may vary according to the needs of the organization
Working long hours between breaks or meals required.
Willingness to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours and be available based on special needs/circumstances on a 24-hour basis.
Ability to work around and handle raw seafood, including shellfish
Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.
Maintain off-exhibit areas in a clean, organized and safe fashion.
May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.
Exposure to extreme fluctuations in temperatures is required.
Willingness to work outdoors, lift heavy objects, and risk periodic exposure to fairly predictable and controllable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.
Oversee pest control efforts in section.
Willingness to serve on the Aquarium’s Hurricane Team if required.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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