Senior Aquarist

Take your career to new depths and put your skills to work in a one of a kind setting by becoming a part of the premiere aquarium showcasing the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The Texas State Aquarium provides high quality, entertaining programming through education, conservation, and wildlife rehabilitation. We strive to provide our guests with an exciting, educational, and memorable experience.

 The Senior Aquarist for the Fish and Herpetology department will provide advanced knowledge and care to reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintain responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of water quality parameters in assigned area.Perform water chemistry analysis and successfully interpret results.
• Prepare animal diets and feed according to established procedures.
• Perform life support maintenance on Main System, Nearshore, Tortuga Cay, and SeaLab.
• Coordinate raw seawater disinfection and transport to Main System, Nearshore, Tortuga Cay, and SeaLab.
• Successfully plumb aquatic systems with 2” diameter PVC or less.
• Make necessary water quality adjustments in assigned areas.
• Assist with water quality management, and make adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain records of animal behavior, medications, and related data for assigned area.
• Enter data into TRACKS.
• Manage the planning/administration of quarantine schedules and treatments.
• Assist in the diagnosis of aquatic diseases and provide approved treatments and assist veterinarian during medicals rounds
• Enter exhibits by use of SCUBA equipment to clean exhibitry, provide animal care, and/or feed.
• Coordinate aquatic animal collecting trips.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures in Fish/Herp work areas.
• Assist in the development of proposed exhibits and system design.
• Contribute to the maintenance and cleanliness of the Wet Area.
• Deliver daily programs, as well as off-site presentations.
• Maintain responsibility for daily operations in the absence of the Curator of Fish and Herpetology and the Aquarium Supervisor.
• Perform morning exhibit rounds, as assigned, and communicate assignments to staff.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or related field from a four year college or university is required with a minimum of five years experience working with reptiles and amphibians, and/or fish and marine invertebrates. Any combination of education and experience would likely produce the required knowledge skills and abilities.

Other Relevant Job Information

This position offers an attractive benefits/vacation package including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with a 100% match of the first 5% contributed.