The Biologist 1 will be expected to execute routine husbandry in the area to which they are assigned. This position is expected to play a supportive role in caring for and managing The Florida Aquarium’s fish and invertebrate collections. This includes food preparation and feeding, habitat maintenance, LSS maintenance/ operation, and recognizing indications of illness or abnormal behavior. They will develop skillsets both independently, and as part of a team, in providing the highest level of animal care.
Essential Position Functions
- Performs general daily husbandry functions including the maintenance of live exhibits, holding systems and quarantine facilities at a high level of quality
- Develops and demonstrates acumen in universally accepted aquarium husbandry skill areas including:
- Marine organism handling, transport, acclimation and care
- Animal quarantine, clinical treatments and marine animal health
- Aquarium Life Support Systems (LSS) operation and maintenance
- Live exhibit maintenance
- Ensures accurate animal record keeping through consistent utilization of electronic record keeping system
- Assure behavior meets the FLAQ values of Respect, Trust and Excellence
- Interacts with aquarium guests, donors and team members in a positive and professional manner.
- Maintain AZA inspection readiness for exhibit, service, holding, and backup areas
- Communicates ideas for exhibit improvements and modifications independently
- Executes behavior shaping plans for aquatic and terrestrial animals
- Identifies and solves obstacles with projects and tasks in a team setting
Secondary Functions
- Maintains tools and equipment necessary for the care of the collection
- Follows husbandry SOPs
- Works with volunteers and interns within scope of position
- Participates in meetings with curators, biologists and other aquarium departments
- Initiates and executes presentations and reports independently
- All other duties as required
- Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills
- Minimum of 1 years’ experience in a facility working with aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including but not limited to birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fishes, and plants preferred
- Four-year degree in biology or related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered
- Knowledge of habitat requirements, including life support systems and water quality parameters for aquatic and terrestrial species preferred
- Knowledge of animal record keeping systems (ZIMS/Tracks) preferred
- Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
- SCUBA certification required
- Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
- Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
Competencies
- Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility.
- Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
- Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork — Support, facilitate, and participate in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrate sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and support team goals.
- Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency — Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies
- Communication (oral and written) — Effectively express ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listen to individuals and groups; prepare and focus presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; express ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
- Judgment — Decide on and commit to an action on the examination of the facts at hand; find creative solutions to situations and opportunities that arise; take strategic risks when necessary.
Typical Physical Requirements
- Standing (up to 2 hours per day)
- Walking (up to 4 hours per day)
- Bending/Stooping/Squatting/Kneeling/Balancing — Frequently
- Crouching/Crawling — Occasionally
- Sitting (up to 2 hours per day)
- Climbing heights (12’) — Frequently
- Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
- Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
- Carrying (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
- Lifting (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
- Using hands for repetitive movements — fine manipulating
- Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
- Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained
- Operating machinery
- Ability to travel as needed — locally and/or nationally
- Ability to operate in the field
- Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
Perks
- Medical,
- Dental,
- Vision,
- EAP,
- Memberships,
- and more!
