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Position Summary
Work on the Center for Conservation (CFC) Coral Conservation Program team to achieve The Florida Aquarium’s mission to protect and restore our blue planet. This is an entry-level position in coral care. Primary responsibilities include husbandry of the CFC’s collection of Western Atlantic coral species and other marine invertebrates. Interface regularly with staff from partner organizations including the University of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Tampa Electric Company. Perform essential and secondary job functions in accordance with guidelines set and approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other safety regulatory agencies.
Essential Position Functions
- Maintains high standards of animal care for the living collection in assigned areas under the supervision of a Senior Biologist. Develops knowledge and experience in coral husbandry, biology, life history, and life support technology
- Conducts daily duties as a primary keeper on live coral aquaria, including but not limited to cleaning, performing water changes, maintaining life support systems, diet formulation and feeding, and adjusting water quality parameters
- Identifies ways to improve operational procedures and animal care. Implements changes to operational procedures under direct supervision of a Senior Biologist
- Ensures accurate and detailed daily record keeping and inventory
- Administers medications or treatments as needed and works with senior husbandry staff to ensure timely identification and resolution of problems
- Identify and correct minor or routine life support issues and report larger problems
- Collects data on animal health required for permit reporting and research objectives
- Maintains facilities and equipment in a clean and organized fashion
- Participate in coral spawning and larval rearing activities, including night and weekend work
- Collect data on coral settlement and survival, including extended hours using dissecting microscopes
- Delivers extraordinary customer service to all CFC guests
- Assures behavior consistently meets the Aquarium’s values of Respect, Trust and Excellence
- Serve as a team member in the implementation of larger projects in a team setting
- Assist in training and daily oversight of interns and volunteers.
- Perform all other duties as required
Secondary Functions
- Executes husbandry improvements and modifications with oversight by senior staff
- Conducts tours, media, and presentations independently
- Maintains tools and equipment necessary for the care of the collection
- Represents the aquarium at selected professional development opportunities
- Participates in meetings with curators, biologists and other aquarium departments
- Works with volunteers and interns within scope of position
- Participate in fieldwork activities as assigned
Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills
- Minimum of 1 year of professional experience in husbandry of aquatic organisms in a public aquarium or research laboratory
- BS or higher degree in a biological science or related field
- Basic understanding of life support systems and water quality parameters for marine invertebrates, including stony corals and the ability to recognize problems
- Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
- SCUBA certification required with ability to advance to Open Water Scientific Diver level within 1 year of hire.
- Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
- Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
Competencies
- Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork – Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments for organizational success. Demonstrates a positive attitude and initiative, seeks to understand before being understood. Fosters a positive, supportive and encouraging work environment. Demonstrates respect for other’s opinions, trusts in their abilities and recognizes their contributions.
- Professional/Technical Knowledge — Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies.
- 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.
- Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item.
- 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.
- Information Gathering and Monitoring— Effectively collects relevant data using questioning or research techniques to monitor and manage projects and people.
- Initiative — Taking actions to achieve goals; self-starting and proactive; asserting oneself to support others in the achievement of their goals; originating action rather than responding only to the actions of others; anticipating the needs of both internal and external constituencies.
- 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
- Sitting (2 hours per day)
- Standing (2 hours per day)
- Walking (4 hours per day)
- Bending/Stooping — Frequently
- Squatting — Frequently
- Crawling — Occasionally
- Climbing heights (12’) — Frequently
- Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
- Crouching — Occasionally
- Kneeling — Frequently
- Balancing — 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
- Typing on a computer keyboard
- Excellent vision for proofing and detail work
- 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 and boats
- Ability to travel (car) as needed — locally and/or nationally
- Ability to travel (air) as needed
- Ability to conduct field work in collection and research
- Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
- Available for on-call emergencies
