Job Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced LEAD AQUARIST to join the Wonders of Wildlife team! This individual will work under the supervision of the Curatorial team and will ensure and promote effective and efficient care of the department’s animal collection. This individual will help train and mentor a dynamic group of Aquarists while assisting in managing one of our galleries.
Essential Functions:
- Primary focused on the day-to-day management of the team and assigned exhibits.
- Must demonstrate strong leadership skills, and extensive experience and knowledge.
- Practices good judgment in decision-making as related to animal care, emergencies, and projects particularly in the absence of Curatorial Staff.
- First contact for staff who need guidance with personal issues or other problems and is considered the point person for the team.
- Act as a mentor for less experienced staff.
- Strives to build and maintain a cooperative attitude and working relationships with colleagues and other departments associated with Wonders of Wildlife.
- Organizes daily and weekly operations of the team’s projects and goals, including creating and maintenance of their areas’ standard operating procedures.
- Participates in Vet Rounds weekly and Animal Welfare Meetings quarterly, follows up on welfare concerns in a timely fashion. Aids in creating Action Plans for welfare concerns and ensures plan is followed with the team.
- Manages the Internship program for their assigned area, including hiring and training of new interns.
- Assists in departmental hiring for their assigned team.
- Ensure daily tasks are completed by the team including TRACKS entry and chores, first step in approval of diets, enrichment, husbandry changes and work order requests.
- Plays an active role with acquisitions and dispositions, including up to date ICP’s for their assigned area.
- Actively involved in AZA and other internal and external conservation projects.
- Participate in monthly professional development training, revolving around development of leadership skills.
MINIMUM Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion of WOW.
- Preferred six years of experience in a facility working with captive fresh and saltwater fishes, and invertebrates, supervisory experience preferred.
- Preferred experience with large elasmobranchs, and live coral exhibits.
- Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Operant conditioning and target training experience is preferred.
- Open Water Certification with exhibit diving is preferred.
- Ability to pass all required physicals and swim test to meet dive standards, within 6 months.
- Requires walking/standing approximately 75% of the time, sitting 10% of the time, forward bending and crouching 15% of the time, lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Requires proficiency with Personal Computer (P.C.) hardware and contemporary software including Microsoft Office Products.
- Requires capability of performing essential job functions in holding areas, exhibit spaces and mechanical rooms where spaces are small and tight, and in office environments with climate control and good lighting.
- May require immunizations depending on animal collection, including TB testing.
Perks
- Full Time employees receive Store/Attraction employee discounts, Medical, Vision, Dental, LTD, 401(k), Company Paid Life Insurance and STD, and Paid Time Off.
Salary
- $20 per hour
