Join a team of passionate individuals at Charleston's No. 1 family attraction! Every South Carolina Aquarium employee plays a crucial part in helping us care for sick and injured sea turtles, provide education programming for students, continue critical conservation work and create an exceptional visitor experience.
- Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility are core values of our institution, and we are committed to fostering a workplace filled with active participation from diverse voices throughout all departments and leadership roles.
- We look forward to applications from all who qualify, and we encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans and those with disabilities to apply.
- The South Carolina Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
JOB SUMMARY:
- Primarily responsible for implementing the evening dive shows supporting a Scuba Claus costume dive in the Great Ocean Tank for our AGLOW seasonal holiday event.
- Job start date is September 2025 through the end of the season, January 2, 2026.
- Dive support for all aquatic exhibits, demonstrating exceptional animal care, dive knowledge and skill, and supporting public education goals.
- Duties include all aspects of daily care, including feeding, cleaning, frequent diving with scuba and surface supply, animal training and enrichment, record keeping, and interaction with aquarium visitors.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Routinely interact with aquarium guests, providing education and conservation information
- Routinely dive with sharks, stingrays, venomous fish, eels and sea turtles
- Perform frequent dive related tank maintenance on any aquarium system as required
- Evaluate animal health and life support requirements to maintain excellent animal health and welfare
- Properly and safely handle animals for all care needs (e.g. annual physicals, treatments, transport)
- Support the aquarium's animal behavior management program, including enrichment and training activities
- Maintain exhibit aesthetics, including proper tank and filter operation and periodic renovations
- Exhibit a high level of organization and daily backup area cleanliness
- Be flexible with work schedule, being able to work weekends, holidays and evenings
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays required
- General shift is 5:00PM-9:30PM
- Some Daytime shifts available 8:00AM-4:00PM
- 24-40 hours/week
- Work unsupervised and make decisions consistent with the team philosophy
- Adhere to all South Carolina Aquarium policies and procedures
- Assist aquarium staff and visitors as needed in a pleasant, professional and courteous manner
OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports the mission by participating in Aquarium sponsored programs and events on a regular basis, such as daily education programs, membership programs, behind the scenes tours, and fundraising activities.
- Other responsibilities as assigned (including meeting attendance, committee service, public relations support, social media content development)
SKILLS KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
- Ability to recognize and prevent animal diseases ยท
- Knowledge of saltwater fishes and elasmobranchs
- Good working knowledge of water quality parameters and their relation to animal health
- Understanding of the mechanical equipment necessary to maintain living exhibits, including sand filters, water pumps, protein skimmers, heat exchangers, ozone and UV filters
- Knowledge and demonstrated skill of minor plumbing, carpentry and electrical work
Proficient in all MS Office Products including:
- Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Ability to pass AAUS dive physical, dive skill evaluation and swim test
- Ability to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- Experience with diving in an aquarium setting
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience Required
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:
- BS in biology, aquatic biology or a closely related field preferred
Perks
- Amazing Culture!
Salary
- $20/Hourly
