Assistant Trainer Penguins/Critical Care

JOB SUMMARY:  Demonstrate excellent representation of the aquarium at all times through a positive, can-do attitude and teamwork focused work ethic.

• Responsible for overnight husbandry care of belugas, including monitoring, feeding, and other husbandry duties.
• There will be periodic opportunities to participate in routine operations of the day shift. 
• Responsible for assisting in routine animal care procedures, animal training, diet preparation, habitat maintenance, record keeping, public presentations, feedings, and interactive programs.
• Focus on penguins.

Minimum Job Requirements: 

• Must be willing to consistently provide excellent internal and external customer service above and beyond expectation.
• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline preferred.
• One-year paid entry level experience with care and training of marine mammals and birds – penguin experience preferred, or
• Equivalent 2 years related experience.
• Public presentation experience and comfort required.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills required.
• SCUBA certification and ability to pass dive physical required. 
• Requires schedule flexibility, as primary shift will be overnight and will include evenings/weekends/holidays and overtime, and willingness to shift between various marine mammal areas for support.
• Multi-lingual, Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Assist with the critical care and maintenance of marine mammals after hours, with focus on belugas. 
• Assist with the care and maintenance of the penguin and marine mammal collection and habitats.
• Present public and classroom demonstrations educating public with approved Institutional information.
• Execute routine husbandry procedures to maintain federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Foster customer service and teamwork with all departments at MA.
• Keep proper records.
• Develop training skills consistent with MA philosophy and procedures.
• Participate in planning and training of assigned species.
• Maintain consistent professional attitude, motivation and willingness to accept feedback.
• Work in cold, wet, indoor and outdoor environments.
• Perform regular scuba diving maintenance on animal habitats.
• Monitor operation of life support systems and water quality.
• Participate in development of husbandry techniques and practices.
• Work with other staff to fulfill area and facility interactive programming needs.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Safety/Security
• Work in a safe manner at all times.
• Properly use and keep, in good order, all personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied to them as protection from recognized hazards.

Report any unsafe condition

• Must have a working knowledge of all Facility wide, and Department specific, safety procedures that relate to their position, including, but not limited to: 
• Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown Procedure, and Fire Extinguisher Use.
• Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (dba Mystic Aquarium) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
•  It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation.
• Women and underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.