The Living Planet Aquarium is currently seeking candidates with a background in avian, small mammal, and herp care for an open position on our Ambassador Animal team. The position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction from the Curator of Endotherms and Ambassador Animals as well as the Assistant Curators in carrying out the operations of the Education Animal Room. This includes all aspects of animal care including, husbandry, welfare, maintenance, and training. The position will participate in and assist with the development of the mammal, reptile and bird training programs, which will consist of behavioral demonstrations presented to the public on a scheduled basis. In addition to husbandry duties this position is responsible for training educators on animal handing skills with all animals and ensuring all Aquarium and AZA regulations are being met.
Institutional Summary:
- Loveland Living Planet Aquarium provides learning opportunities for all levels, interests, and ages, with the mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems since 1997.
- Since opening its new facility in Draper in March 2014, the Aquarium has welcomed over eight million visitors and provided more than 650,000 educational experiences to students.
- Home to more than 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium showcases ecosystems from around the planet including kelp forests, coral reefs, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, Asian cloud forests, South American rain forests, and the waterways of our home state of Utah.
- Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 2019.
- With a new expansion currently under construction and slated for completion in 2025, LLPA will soon be the largest aquarium in the Mountain West, and 5th largest aquarium overall in the continental United States.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides for the needs of all Animal Ambassador Collection including cleaning, feeding, enrichment and training of animals in the Education Animal Room.
- Maintains records pertaining to feeding, exhibit conditions, water quality analysis, behavioral observations, training activities, enrichment and medical procedures.
- Trains Education Presenters to appropriately handle and present each species according to the approved protocols and procedures.
- Ensures all Education Presenters are following LLPA Ambassador Animal protocols and procedures.
- Handles and assesses new ambassador animals to get them ready for handing in presentations
- Assists in training new animal behaviors through positive reinforcement techniques
- Input data into Google Drive spreadsheets, ZIMs, and other program logs in a professional and timely manner
- Cooperates with veterinarian and staff for animal health issues, treatments, and veterinary procedures, transfers and crating.
- Acts as a resource for Education Presenters.
- At the direction of supervisors, interact with and respond to public/media requests for information.
Experience and Qualifications
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology or related field, or two years of experience working with animals in a zoo or aquarium setting to be considered for a Keeper I.
- General knowledge of all animal phylum and their characteristics and habits.
- Must have good written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, which will include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Critical Competencies
- Experience giving public presentations
- Knowledge of animal handling and training others to handle animals
- Experience working with raptors highly preferred
- Comfortability giving presentations in front of a camera for local media or internal events.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Valid driver’s license in Utah or ability to obtain one.
- CPR/First Aid certification or the ability to obtain it in-house upon employment.
- Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start.
- Scuba certification a plus but not a requirement.
Physical Demands of the Job:
- Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, stand for long periods of time and drive aquarium vehicles.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate objects or controls.
- The employee is frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and stand for long periods for time.
Perks of working for LLPA:
- Health benefits including: vision, dental, medical, HSA, FSA, pet insurance, paid maternity/paternity leave, free employee assistance program
- Generous PTO and holiday package with 12 paid holidays and PTO accrual starting at 80hrs a year and reaching 176hrs by year 5.
- 401K eligibility within 90 days of employment with an employer match of up to 4%.
- Individual Aquarium membership and 16 VIP passes per year plus 1 family membership or 3 individual memberships per year to gift to family/friends.
- 25% discount at the gift shop and 50% discount at the café.
- Catered staff lunches twice a month
- Coming in 2025: onsite staff gym and onsite daycare options for staff with children
Living in Utah
- Utah is a treasure trove of outdoor adventure and unique experiences!
- The state's five national parks—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef—each offer their own stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.
- Whether you're into hiking, canyoneering, rock climbing or just soaking in the views, there’s something for everyone.
- For winter sports, Utah's "Greatest Snow on Earth" provides world-class skiing and snowboarding at destinations like Park City and Snowbird.
- Dinosaur enthusiasts will also find plenty to be excited about, with numerous fossil sites and museums showcasing Utah's rich prehistoric past.
- The state's geological history has made it one of the best places in the world to see dinosaur fossils both in museums and out in nature!
- And of course, the Sundance Film Festival is a major draw for film buffs, providing a platform for independent films and attracting celebrities and industry insiders from around the world.
- While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.
- The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate.
- The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.
