Senior Aquarist

• Establish and maintain an environment conducive to the health and well-being of all animals within the Aquarium.
• Ensures exhibits are clean and up to the supervisors’ standards. This also includes making sure exhibits are ready for public viewing before the opening of the aquarium.
• Manage staff members and oversee staff and exhibits when necessary.
• Show strong leadership skills.
• Makes sure to clean all behind the scenes areas including but not limited to their section.
• With supervising staff to initiate and oversee viable breeding, husbandry, and conservation programs for particular species within the collection.
• Will work under the supervising staff of fish and invertebrates and will ensure efficient care of the department’s animal collection.
• Must report any issues to the supervisor and act in a professional matter.
• Aquarist I and Aquarist II staff with tasks they are uncertain about. Including training new staff onto more complex tasks.
• Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits and reserve tanks to check the status and identify and report potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.
• Prepares diets and diet supplements to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep specimens at peak health. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment, and utensils.
• Records data about water changes, water chemistry, diet amounts, and other observations.
• Maintains live food holding tanks and cultures, as assigned.
• Helps to coordinate the internship program, cooperating and reporting to the supervising staff of fish and invertebrates.
• Assures normal operation and maintenance of exhibit and holding life support systems.
• Participates in specimen collection and transport.
• Unusual conditions or illnesses in the animals and assists in their treatment. Must have a basic understanding of marine disease and treatments.
• Monitors exhibit water quality and performs water quality analysis necessary and appropriate.
• Maintains all written and computer records relating to gallery inventories.
• Other duties as assigned or required by discretion of management.
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensures that goals for an excellent visitor experience are met and maintained.
• Must be flexible with schedule, hours of operating, and ready to answer emergency calls and questions, including diver, life-support, and animal-related emergencies.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensures that goals for an excellent visitor experience are met and maintained.

• BA or BS in Biology or related field with coursework in Zoology, Aquatic Biology and Chemistry, or 4 years related experience.
• Must possess current SCUBA certification from a professionally recognized SCUBA certifying agency or must obtain certification within 6 months of employment.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and insurance, or be able to obtain one within 60 days of employment, and be able to safely drive any company vehicle.
• This position may call for special scheduling or overtime needs throughout the week, sometimes without much advance notice. Must be able to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Must be comfortable giving educational presentations to small and large audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to give and follow directions effectively.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, stoop, walk on unstable surfaces, and climb ladders.

How to Apply

Email Resume and Cover Letter to: ttilkin@amwny.com and bdeluca@amwny.com or apply HERE!