The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is looking for a motivated individual to add to its Husbandry staff as a keeper for a diverse collection of fishes. This is an entry-level position works with the Husbandry team to accomplish established goals aimed at excellence in animal care and guest experience. Must have the ability to work weekends and holidays possess a valid driver’s license.
To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Keeper/ Aquarist will:
- Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality
- Make each interaction with guests, vendors and fellow Audubon employees a positive one through hospitality and service.
- Oversee aquarists’ performance with regard to guest experience.
- Facilitate the development and implementation of exhibit improvements.
- Provide direction to aquarists in the form of goals and guidance.
- Exhibit the diversity of wildlife.
- Provides a high standard of animal care.
- Understanding of professional animal care and welfare standards.
- Prioritizes preventative care and excellence in animal welfare.
- A basic knowledge of water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle for water quality monitoring.
- Follow training (operant conditioning) and enrichment SOPs to accomplish behavior and welfare goals.
- Administers prescribed treatments and assists with procedures as needed.
- Follows direction and act in accordance with all established protocols and procedures.
- Compliance with all AZA and USDA standards.
- Follows all SOPs as written to facilitate good animal welfare and safety.
- Responsible for all aspects of exhibit maintenance.
- Able to accomplish daily tasks within acceptable/ established timeframe.
- Monitors exhibit functionality, air and water parameters, identifying and communicating anomalies/ concerns in a timely fashion.
- Accurate recordkeeping for short- and long-term monitoring of health, behavior, tracking trends and advancing animal practices.
- Participation in professional development as assigned.
- Ability to communicate effectively and work with a team to provide consistency and advancement in animal care. Assists with oversight of volunteers and interns.
- Ability to engage 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.
- Educate our diverse audience about the natural world.
- Seek out opportunities to positively impact the guest experience and encourage staff to do so as well.
- Oversee and participate in public interaction including behind the scenes tours, speaking engagements, media communication and guest education.
- Assist with the development and preparation of written educational materials produced by the Husbandry Department.
- Enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation
- Facilitate and encourage the proper disposition of non- native donations to prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Encourage and support Aquarium breeding programs aimed at decreasing the need for wild collection.
- Promote, participate in and oversee departmental research and conservation programs.
- Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks.
- Assist with the preparation of the departmental operating budget.
- Strive to operate with budget limitations.
- 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 Keeper/Aquarist will:
- Welcome
- Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
- Wear identification badge.
- Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.
- Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.
- Share
- Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).
- Coach coworkers on service expectations.
- Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.
- Know when to involve management.
- Inspire
- Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.
- Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).
- Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
- Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.
- Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).
Supervision:
- Not a supervisory position.
Experience:
- Minimum of one year of unpaid or paid experience in a zoological facility, public aquarium, or similar facility OR demonstrated and confirmed skill set.
- Understanding/ experience with care of aquatic animals/ systems in a professional setting with demonstrated success. Experience at AZA accredited public facility is preferred.
- Has understanding/ experience with the species under their care or has worked with similar taxa.
- Has an understanding of natural history, anatomy, behavior, and environmental parameters.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science degree in biology or related field from a recognized, accredited institution
Licensure/Certification:
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
- SCUBA certification is preferred, but not required.
- First Aid/ CPR is preferred, but not required.
- Software Requirements: proficiency in MS Office; ZIMS, or similar animal data management software experience is an asset.
Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:
- Working knowledge of basic hand and power tools is preferred.
- Working knowledge of life support equipment and water chemistry science and management for both start-up and mature aquatic systems is required.
- Must have the ability to use basic office equipment. Boat handling experience is an asset.
Physical Requirements:
Heavy work:
- lifting up to 80lbs pounds occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
- Will involve standing most of the time, but may involve walking or sitting for brief periods of time.
- Walking, climbing, sitting, standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 80 pounds.
- Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.
- Ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.
- Must have cognitive and communication skills required to function within the department.
- Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.
- Must possess excellent organizational skills.
- Must be able to read, write and speak English.
- Must be safety conscious.
- Must possess advanced knowledgeable in: animal anatomy; recognition and treatment of minor animal health concerns; quarantine protocols; water chemistry; and the ability to troubleshoot life support problems for taxa in the position’s purview
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with supervisors and co-workers.
- Demonstrate the ability to make sound decisions in the absence of supervision, assume responsibility without direction and willingness to assist in achieving facility and Audubon Nature Institute goals.
Environmental/Working Conditions:
- Candidate must accept humane euthanasia as an accepted and responsible animal management tool.
- Working long hours between breaks or meals required.
- Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.
- Must be able to work in moderately noisy environments, dirty conditions and cramped spaces.
- Must be willing and able to handle raw seafood.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings and holidays.
- Must be able to work with potentially hazardous chemicals associated with analysis and treatment of exhibits.
- Must be able to work unsupervised and with a team.
- Affinity for animals preferred.
- Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures may be required.
- Must be able to work in all types of weather both indoors and outdoors.