Manager of Sea Lions & Sea Otters

POSITION OVERVIEW: Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment to optimal animal care and welfare to facilitate impactful public engagement with wildlife. Our animals' first approach has a foundation that individuals and groups of animals can exhibit natural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.  

• The Manager of Sea Lions and Otters reports to the Director of Animal Behavior and Training and is responsible for leading a team of trainers in the daily husbandry, planning, training, and welfare of Shedd Aquarium’s collection of California Sea Lions and Sea Otters. 
• This Manager works closely with the Director as a member of the Oceanarium Leadership Team to ensure optimal care of the animals in the Oceanarium and compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations.
• Close collaboration with Animal Health, Environmental Quality, Facilities, and Dive Operations is required to ensure the smooth and effective operations involving animals, staff, and habitats.
• The Manager contributes to cross-departmental goals in collaboration with Conservation and Research and Animal Health Teams to advance in-situ and ex-situ research objectives.
• This Manager also works with other departments, including Guest Relations, Learning, Events, Marketing, Development, and others, to provide access to animals and systems for public engagement.
• The Manager of Sea Lions serves in a leadership role in the Animal Care and Science Division and facilitates inter-departmental planning and implementation of strategies to meet institutional objectives and initiatives requiring support of the Aquarium department, and serves as an aquarium spokesperson as needed.   
• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   
• Demonstrates commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
• Utilizes independent judgment and discretion in the exercise of supervisory responsibility and authority with respect to the Sea Lion Team in the Animal Care and Science Division, including assigning and directing work, evaluating job performance, resolving job concerns and problems, implementing or effectively recommending decisions concerning hiring, transfer, reassignment, promotion, merit or other compensation increases or rewards, layoff, recall, discipline and/or discharge. 
• Leads the selection, training, development, management, and growth of the Sea Lion Team. 
• Publicly represents Shedd and its programs – particularly as it relates to California Sea Lions.  This includes assisting in the development and execution of presentations, serving as an aquarium spokesperson for high-profile issues in the media and elsewhere in conjunction with Shedd’s communication experts.  
• Initiates and implements training protocols for proactive medical care for all animals under the care of the Sea Lion Team. 
• Initiates and implements complex animal training assignments and assures their consistency through documented adherence to operant conditioning principles with a focus on positive reinforcement techniques.  
• Maintains regular interactions with all the animals, including training sessions, feedings, public presentations, and play sessions. 
• Assists with all activities of the department through the administration of an approved budget and its control.  
• Collaborates with national and international breeding and conservation programs when appropriate.   
• Implements up-to-date husbandry practices and applies the use of positive operant conditioning principles in the day-to-day care and training of all animals. 
• Supports the goals and objectives of professional organizations (AZA, IMATA, IAAM, ALLSO, etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.  
• Supports the goals and objectives of professional organizations (AZA, IMATA, IAAM, ALLSO, etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.  
• Maintains a familiarity and basic working knowledge of life support systems, water quality parameters, and veterinary protocols.  
• Develops training protocols to elicit, encourage, and facilitate natural behaviors for all animals in Shedd’s care. 
• Maintains compliance of animal welfare assessments reflecting proactive and reactive responses to medical conditions and concerns for animals under the care of the Sea Lion Team. 
• Supports transfer and breeding programs around the organization’s needs and applies appropriate training protocols. 
• Implements strategies for the Sea Lion Team to maintain and grow behaviors aligned with Shedd’s mission and vision.  
• Implements a staff training program to build better welfare and sustainability through excellent husbandry, operant conditioning, public speaking, advanced operant conditioning application, and communication.   
• Implements participation in research and conservation initiatives aligned with Shedd’s mission and vision. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to spending sufficient time with the team and animals to effectively manage both and maintain readiness to step in to fill any vacant role. 
• Demonstrates strong swimming skills and ability for the use of SCUBA to maintain aquatic animals, constructed habitats, and open water diving. 
• Demonstrates ability to adjust schedule on short notice to manage the needs of the animal populations and team.  Must work one weekend day as part of the normal schedule, and as needed evenings, early mornings, and holidays. 
• Manages other Oceanarium teams when the direct manager is unavailable, as requested. 
• Partners with other managers and the director to develop budgets that support institutional priorities and implement those budgets.  
• Demonstrates knowledge of all the primary animal groups cared for by the Oceanarium Team. 
• Implement legal compliance measures such as tracking of respirator use, adherence to OSHA standards, etc. 
• Work with other departments throughout the aquarium to meet strategic goals and objectives. 
• Liaise with professional colleagues as a representative of the aquarium. 
• Demonstrate constant innovation in animal care and sustainability. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Education:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or a related field.

Experience:   

• 6+ years of experience in animal care at an accredited zoo or aquarium with a focus on aquatic animals.
• Proven success in the care of aquatic animals, prioritizing California Sea Lion species husbandry, handling, and behavioral training experience.
• Knowledge of collection planning processes and awareness of sustainability priorities.
• Knowledge of life support systems, water quality parameters, and veterinary protocols. 
• Knowledge of record-keeping requirements and experience with animal record software.
• Awareness of regulatory requirements for maintaining a living collection, including animal transport.
• Good communication, leadership, and personnel management skills are essential. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. 
• Proficiency in the use of animal management software such as TRACKs.
• Ability to learn multiple software applications for accounting, employee management, and interdepartmental business operations. 

Certifications: 

• Must possess a valid driver's license or be able to obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment. 
• Must possess a valid passport or be able to obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment. 
• Must possess a minimum of open water SCUBA certification.
• Employment contingent upon passing a dive physical and check out protocol administered by Shedd Aquarium's Dive Operations. 

Physical Readiness: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
• Lift up to 40 pounds  
• Sit 
• Stand 
• Stoop 
• Kneel 
• Walk 
• Swim  
• Hear 

Working Environment: 

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 
• This person may be exposed to: 
• Water 
• Heat 
• Cold 
• Hazardous Chemicals 
• Further Comments

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:

• We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options Vision and Dental Insurance Accrued Paid Time Off Up to 12 Paid Holidays Life Insurance Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance 401(k) Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies Employee Assistance Program Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive Employee Discounts Employee Tickets Reasonable Accommodations:
• Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
• If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
• We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply.
• Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

Salary

• $70,000 - $80,000