Assistant Curator Saltwater

The Assistant Curator of Saltwater will help oversee the care of the saltwater animals as well as supervise staff. Reporting to the Curator of Saltwater, this position will develop, implement and enforce policies and procedures relevant to the personnel and the Saltwater collection at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. This individual will also help orchestrate all aspects of animal care, including but not limited to; acquisition, disposition, record keeping, husbandry, enrichment, implementation of balanced and nutritional diets, translocations, medical procedures and vaccinations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Zoology, Biology or related field
• A minimum 7 years’ proven experience in an aquarium or zoo environment, demonstrating a proven record of animal husbandry, enrichment and exhibition of a variety reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates

Critical Skills/Competencies:

• Awareness of current animal issues in zoos and aquariums and outside in the wild
• Ability to successfully manage the animal collection
• Understand exhibit design and construction
• Recognize any deficiencies in exhibit or animal holding facilities
• Ability to prioritize issues affecting animals and staff
• Knowledge of annual budget process and ability to operate within departmental budget
• Knowledge and skills to interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems
• Knowledge of laws and permits regulating acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards and transportation within the US and abroad
• Knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of zoo record keeping methods and collection management standards. Working knowledge of ZIMS
• Possess excellent communication skills. Must be able to give and take direction: both verbally and written
• Ability to multi-task as well as delegate
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including weekdays, weekends, holidays and evenings
• Knowledge of dangerous and venomous species handling and protocols a plus

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as a liaison between upper management and the veterinarians, animal care staff and registrar regarding animal health, care and habitats
• Evaluate, assist in approving animal enrichment and operant conditioning programs 
• Assist in the development and enforce standards of animal care policies and procedures for the entire specimen collection
• Help schedule, assign and direct Saltwater staff and volunteers, as-needed, which includes performance management and disciplinary action
• Collaborate with Department Directors and Curators on animal habitat designs and renovation.
• Lead others in the research and development of new habitats and renovations
• Lead by example to animal care staff; providing encouragement, coaching, training, mentoring and opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally
• Collaborate in the production of all identification labels and interpretive graphics associated with animal exhibits
• Represent the department at professional meetings, conferences or in the media as requested by upper management
• Works with guest services and marketing with respect to exhibition, visitor experience and special functions
• Help with crisis management, safety drills and participate in safety meetings with fellow department representatives when required
• Oversee management of assigned Taxa, or sections of the Saltwater department and staff
• Willing to care for assigned systems on a husbandry level as assigned
• Oversees and coordinates day to day operations of the exhibit floor, tasks, and standards
• Other duties as assigned

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

• Valid Utah driver’s license
• Current PADI or SSI scuba certification, or ability to make current
• CPR/First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain it in-house upon employment
• Must possess or be willing to obtain current, negative TB test results

Physical Demands of the Job:

• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds
• Stand for long periods of time
• Drive aquarium vehicles
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate objects or controls
• Frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and stand for long periods for time
• While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.
• The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate.
• The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.