Aquarium Assistant Director/Director of Operations and Husbandry

The North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join our management team as an Aquarium Assistant Director/Director of Operations and Husbandry. This position is a primary staff leader and liaison with designers, architects and contractors for the $65 million expansion and renovation project at Fort Fisher. The Assistant Director supports and assists with project management, including life support design and construction, and will also be responsible for supporting collection planning, animal acquisition, animal transport, and quarantine for the expanded facility.

Experience Required

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form.
• Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
• Qualified candidates must have or be able to:
• Demonstrated experience with the operations and maintenance of an AZA accredited Aquarium, Zoo, or similar facility.
• Demonstrated experience managing life support systems, building support systems, exhibit design, and animal husbandry.
• Demonstrated experience managing a budget and purchasing.
• Supervisory experience.
• SCUBA certification, first aid and CPR certification.

Management Preferences:

• Experience with managing a diverse workforce.
• Experience providing leadership, support, and guidance for both experienced and novice staff members related to animal care, facility operations, and life support management.
• Broad experience in scientific research and working with researchers is a plus.
• Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.
• ” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
• See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail. Bachelor’s degree in marine science, biology, zoology, or other natural science from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience at an aquarium, museum, zoo or related facility; or An equivalent combination of education and experience

Further Comments

• The North Carolina Aquarium's mission is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.
• This mission is achieved by attracting, retaining, and developing a world class team of professionals; providing visitors with outstanding exhibits, experiences, and customer service; practicing sustainability, internal customer service, and fiscal responsibility; and working to save and restore aquatic species and habitats.

Perks

• The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 20 miles south of Wilmington, NC, in Kure Beach, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River.
• A living collection of more than 4,000 animals in 93,000 square feet of exhibit space attracts and engages more than 500,000 visitors each year.
• The Aquarium is surrounded by protected woodland, marsh, and beach. Visitors often plan to stop at sites adjacent to the Aquarium - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and historic Fort Fisher Civil War Museum.
• Fort Fisher Aquarium is a unique place to visit and work.

Salary

• $49,158 - $70,826