Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates

The Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates is responsible for leading the Fishes and Invertebrates team and associated operations at both the Quincy Animal Care Center and Central Wharf, overseeing all aspects of the sustainability program, and directing animal care and welfare for the institution's animal collection of fishes, shorebirds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This role is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of animal care, promoting staff training and professionalism, ensuring the consistent presentation and maintenance of the best possible aquatic exhibits, and advancing sustainable collections for exhibits through ethical sourcing practices and responsible population management. The Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates must collaborate proactively and positively with other Aquarium stakeholders, and actively engage with professionals in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other professional organizations through conferences, presentations, and participation in programs, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration internally and externally.

This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option to work one day per week remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leadership: Provide leadership and foster a growth mindset within the Fishes department.
• Innovation: Drive innovation in sustainable collections, animal care and welfare, life support systems, ex-situ conservation and exhibit development.
• Collaboration: Foster collaboration with Animal Care Directors, internal departments, and external partners to enhance animal care, welfare, conservation efforts and increase broad knowledge.
• Communication: Effectively communicate departmental goals, initiatives, and progress to staff and stakeholders, Animal Care Directors and VP of Animal Care. Responsive and proactive approach to communication.
• Team Building: Build and nurture high-performing teams at both locations, promoting a culture of excellence across the entire department.
• Think holistically about the Fishes Department's role in the institution's mission. Develop, execute and oversee short and long-term strategic goals for the Department and provide recommendations to the VP of Animal Care.
• Budget Management: Collaborate on budget development and provide ongoing financial stewardship for the department.
• Exhibit Planning, Design and Maintenance: Advise the team in master planning for relevant exhibits, including acquisitions, appropriate habitat, and life support system design, with an emphasis on visitor experience and conservation messaging, ensure exhibits and support spaces are clean, safe, and compliant with regulations, including USDA and AZA standards.
• Sustainability Program: of Animal Care, Animal Care Directors and Managers, organizational stakeholders, and external partners to advance sustainability programs, including Larval Production and Distribution, Live Foods, and related grant funded projects.
• Conservation Efforts: Promote collaboration across organizational teams (ACCOL, Conservation Learning, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Experience, Conservation Policy, Development, etc.) and externally with colleagues and partners to strengthen conservation efforts and messaging that enhance the Aquarium's mission.
• Collection Management: Contribute to the Institutional Collection Plan through active participation in the Collection Management Committee.
• Ambassador Animal Programs: Oversee ambassador and live animal programs with the Fishes and Invertebrate teams, collaborate with stakeholders on creation of innovative programs that engage visitors, share natural history and conservation efforts, while ensuring that AZA standards are met.

Qualifications

Minimum Training and Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on direct leadership experience working with animals in an aquarium, zoological institution, or laboratory animal setting; preference given to aquarium and/or AZA institution experience.
• Bachelor's degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or related fields.
• Master's degree in a related field desirable.
• Driver's license and good driving record required.
• Basic Open Water SCUBA Certification required
• Experience developing and advancing goals and strategies for animal care and welfare.
• Must have strong experience with fishes and invertebrates. Experience with birds, reptiles, and amphibians preferred.
• Leadership experience with institutional collection planning and responsible population management required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability in aquarium or zoo exhibit management, or management of live animal collections.
• Excellent communication and team building skills.
• Strong leadership, and organizational skills, attention to detail, and proven ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to interact positively and successfully with all levels of the institution and community.
• Sound professional knowledge of biology, welfare science, animal training and enrichment, quarantine practices and husbandry concepts, with a demonstrated ability to apply these in an aquarium setting.

Knowledge and understanding of:

• Integrated animal care in an animal care setting (e.g., disease prevention, exhibit fabrication, life support systems, water chemistry, diet, training/enrichment, welfare science).
• A wide range of aquatic animals (vertebrate and invertebrate) taxa.
• Advanced knowledge of aquatic life support systems and water quality desired.

New England Aquarium is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. Here we foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet, and we believe a diverse workforce provides experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our work environment.

Experience Required

7 years