This job is no longer available.
The Virginia Aquarium is seeking an energetic and upbeat team member to assist in the daily husbandry of the Aquarium’s animals. A solid understanding of animal welfare standards that includes fishes, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibian husbandry is required. This position’s focus will be maintaining superb animal health and welfare by cleaning habitats, providing nutritious diets, and assisting with medical procedures. Come work with a fantastic team of dedicated individuals at the Virginia Aquarium whose focus is the very best animal care that can be provided!
Duties will include the following:
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Maintain and continually enhance the daily husbandry of a variety of fishes, elasmobranchs, marine invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Assist veterinary staff and Senior Aquarists with medical procedures.
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Work collaboratively as part of the Animal husbandry team to communicate husbandry and medical needs of the animals in the section.
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Work as part of a team to always maintain animal habitat cleanliness, which includes SCUBA diving.
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Administer diets to a wide variety of fishes, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Assist with the process of species planning to include animal transfers and acclimations.
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Assist with live animal and food culturing.
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Train new volunteers and part time staff.
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Present public programs and educational messaging to be used in a variety of settings.
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Support the guest experience by participating in visitor enhancement development and actively seek out guest engagement opportunities.
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Participate in professional development opportunities.
Work Schedule: 40 hrs/wk Sun – Thur or Tue – Sat between hours of 7am – 6pm; will occasionally vary to meet operational needs.
Experience Required
MINIMUM REQUIRMENTS: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to two (2) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with positions such as aquarist, exhibits technician, biologist, or animal keeper in a similar facility or program. Individual positions will have specific requirements regarding subject expertise, skills and training; these will be noted on job requisition at time opening is advertised. Must possess and maintain at all times current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency. Must have a valid driver's license.
Further Comments
The ideal candidate will have the following preferences. One (1) or more years of full time equivalent paid or unpaid experience with the husbandry of fishes, invertebrate, reptiles and/or amphibians in a zoo, aquarium, or similar setting. Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field. Knowledge and experience in maintaining bio security in a multi-exhibit setting. Experience using animal records systems such as ZIMS or similar record keeping program. Experience with operant conditioning techniques when applied to fishes, invertebrates, reptiles, and/or amphibians. Experience diving in exhibits for husbandry/maintenance. Experience working with/training volunteers. Basic life support and water quality experience. Operating/working knowledge of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Perks
The City of Virginia Beach offers an excellent benefits package which includes health, dental, and life insurance; retirement and savings plans; holidays, paid time off; as well as access to the Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union, a non-profit service agency which is owned and operated exclusively for City employees and their dependents.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity please visit https://www.virginiabeach.gov/careers
Please note this posting closes on 11/6/22.
The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
