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The Virginia Aquarium is seeking a skilled aquarist/keeper to assist in the daily husbandry of the Aquarium’s extensive aquatic animal collection featuring fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians. Candidate must possess the ability to work well both individually and as a team. This individual will also help lead a team of husbandry section staff, divers, and volunteers and is expected to be a mentor. Excellent communication and customer service skills are a must. Come work with a fantastic team of dedicated individuals at the Virginia Aquarium!
Duties will include the following:
- Participate and assist in the overseeing of the daily husbandry of a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater animals including but not limited to fish, sharks, rays, jellies, corals, and turtles.
- Participate and assist in the overseeing of large mixed taxa exhibits.
- Perform advanced husbandry responsibilities such as coordinating and leading animal physicals with veterinary team.
- Design, plan, and implement animal training and enrichment.
- Perform functions as Lead Diver during aquarium husbandry dives while following the standards of the Virginia Aquarium Dive Manual.
- Participate in animal acquisitions, dispositions, transports, and acclimation processes.
- Perform life support design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
- Assess water quality and nutritional needs with senior curatorial and veterinary staff.
- Train and mentor volunteers, seasonal interns, part-time staff, and Exhibit Technician I’s.
- Design, propagate, and maintain live animal or food cultures as needed.
- Develop and implement operating procedures with the husbandry staff, and maintain all daily husbandry and maintenance logs on ZIMS.
- Support the guest experience by participating in visitor enhancement development and actively seek out guest engagement opportunities.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and identify opportunities for part-time staff and Exhibit Technician I’s.
- Other duties as assigned to support continual improvement efforts in the Aquarium and Quarantine buildings.
- Work Schedule: Will consist of 40 hours per week during times that meet operational needs. Work shifts during weekends and holidays will be required.
- The City offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans. Other key benefits include:
- Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave
- Leave Donation Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistant Program
- Professional Development
Experience Required
- Requires a minimum of one (1) year full-time equivalent experience in a similar facility or program, plus any combination of additional education and experience (above the high school level) for a total of four (4) full-time equivalent years.
- Related positions that meet experience would include those such as animal trainer, biologist, or animal keeper in a similar facility that utilizes the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 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 have a current and valid drivers license.
Perks
- https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/Careers/Full-time-Employee-Benefits.pdf
Salary
- G.19, $41,294.70
