Assistant Curator

The Assistant Curator serves as the second-in-command within the Life Sciences Department, supporting the General Curator in the leadership, development, and daily operation of all animal care programs. This role provides day-to-day operational leadership across all Life Sciences functions, including both aquatics and ambassador animal programs, ensuring consistency in animal care, staff performance, and guest experience.

• The Assistant Curator is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, leading and developing Life Sciences staff, and advancing the Aquarium’s animal ambassador and behavioral training programs.
• A core function of this role is the direct ownership and management of the Animal Ambassador program, ensuring all guest interactions are safe, engaging, and aligned with animal welfare standards.
• This position plays a key role in both the commissioning of the facility and ongoing operations, requiring a leader capable of balancing hands-on animal care, team leadership, and program execution across multiple functional areas.

Primary Areas of Focus

• The Assistant Curator’s responsibilities are prioritized across the following core areas:
• Animal Welfare & Husbandry Excellence - Ensure the highest standards of animal care, habitat management, and welfare across the entire collection.
• Animal Ambassador & Behavioral Programs - Own and lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of ambassador animal programs, ensuring safe, enriching, and engaging guest interactions.
• Staff Leadership & Development - Provide day-to-day leadership, training, and performance management for Life Sciences staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence

Duties & Responsibilities

• Preopening/Commissioning Phase
• Participate in collection planning and execution of animal acquisitions, introductions, and acclimations.
• Support the General Curator in the development and establishment of exhibits and holding systems, including life support systems, aesthetics, and husbandry components.
• Assist in creating standard operating procedures for welfare, safety, animal care, programming, and guest interaction as well as all paperwork associated with the life sciences team.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Animal Ambassador and behavioral training programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and safety standards.
• Participate in animal transfers and quarantine processes following veterinary and regulatory partners.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, and onboarding of new staff prior to opening.
• Assist in both short and long term planning and project execution.
• Assist with ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment.
• Operational Phase

Animal Care & Welfare

• Ensure all animal care and habitats meet or exceed institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and AZA accreditation standards.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and welfare across the collection; communicate concerns and coordinate with veterinary and water quality teams to implement care plans.
• Evaluate and continuously improve habitat functionality, enrichment programs, and husbandry practices.
• Maintain accurate and compliant animal records (husbandry, medical, regulatory, and collection data).

Ambassador Animal Program

• Own and manage the day-to-day operation of the Animal Ambassador and behavioral training programs, in alignment with the General Curator’s strategic vision.
• Establish and maintain protocols for animal training, evaluation, scheduling, and exhibit floor readiness.
• Set and enforce standards for all ambassador animal guest interactions, ensuring safety, consistency, and high-quality engagement.
• Ensure animals are behaviorally prepared and appropriately utilized, balancing guest experience with animal welfare.
• Train, coach, and evaluate staff in animal handling, guest communication, and real-time decision-making during interactions.

Leadership & Management

• Directly manage and lead all Life Sciences staff across aquatics and ambassador animal teams, including scheduling, task delegation, and daily supervision.
• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and mentorship to support staff development and operational consistency.
• Participate in performance evaluations and disciplinary processes in coordination with the General Curator.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained to support animal care and operational needs.

Operations & Compliance

• Support departmental budgeting, inventory tracking, and expense management.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, as well as AZA standards and institutional policies.
• Assist the General Curator with administrative responsibilities, reporting, and departmental planning.
• Represent the department professionally with regulatory agencies, partners, and industry organizations.

General Operations

• Exercise independent judgment in day-to-day operational decisions, escalating complex, high-risk, or strategic matters to the General Curator.
• Respond to and manage emergency situations to minimize risk to guests, staff, and animals.
• Perform exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving as required.
• Provide leadership in the absence of the General Curator, within established authority limits.
• Collaborate with Guest Experience and Aquarium Foundation teams to deliver safe, engaging, and educational visitor experiences.
• Support the integration and oversight of volunteers and educators working within animal programs to ensure consistency in messaging and quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Abilities

• The individual must possess the following abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some or a combination of the abilities.
• Requires walking/ standing for long periods of time, bending and crouching, climbing, working in small/tight spaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• May require driving aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• May require immunizations including TB testing and rabies.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, marine biology, animal behavior, or related field required.
• 7–10 years of professional animal care experience required. 
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience required. 
• PADI Open Water or equivalent (or able to obtain within 90 days of employment) required. 
• Must hold and maintain First Aid, CPR, Emergency O2, and AED certification; training will be provided. 
• Demonstrated experience commissioning new exhibits or facilities and integrating animal collections into newly constructed habitats. 
• Strong understanding of animal health, behavioral training, enrichment, and welfare assessment.
• Familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, animal acquisition and disposition policies, and relevant permitting processes. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing departmental budgets. 
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills. 
• Creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge.
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word. Excel, and Powerpoint. 
• Must have strong teamwork, interpersonal, and organizational skills conductive to a positive work environment.

Salary

• 55,000-65,000