Are you passionate about animal care, training, and guest engagement? Shedd Aquarium’s Oceanarium department is excited to offer a Trainer position, with the potential to hire at a Senior Trainer level based on experience!
About the Role:
- As a Trainer, you’ll work hands-on with our diverse animal collection—including cetaceans, penguins, otters, sea lions, and animal ambassadors.
- You’ll contribute to Shedd’s mission of exceptional animal welfare and memorable guest experiences through positive reinforcement and operant conditioning.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To succeed in this role, an individual must perform each duty satisfactorily.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Uphold Shedd’s vision, mission, and values in all activities.
- Ensure the health and well-being of the animal collection, including dietary preparation and habitat upkeep:
- Clean kitchens, tools, floors, windows, pools, and support areas used in the department.
- Prepare animal diets involving thawing, sorting, weighing, cutting, vitamin administration, heavy lifting, and frequent exposure to cold temperatures.
- Foster positive relationships with staff, visitors, volunteers, community members, and contractors.
- Maintain a clean, healthy environment for animals, staff, and guests.
- Dive and snorkel in cold saltwater for cleaning, pool inspection, and general maintenance.
- Interact with guests daily, answering questions about animals and the facility.
- Perform tasks related to evening functions, special employee training, seminars, volunteer guidance, public speaking, and student interviews.
- Attend regular department meetings and daily pre-session communications.
- Keep detailed records of all animal interactions, including diet, health, training progression, and behavior.
- Narrate public presentations and guide behind-the-scenes tours as needed.
- Participate actively in animal training, exams, public presentations, and play sessions, using advanced conditioning techniques as applicable.
- Support animal training goals and public presentation standards, including public programs and animal care.
- Provide animal interactions and guest engagement, serving in supportive roles during public presentations.
- Maintain high standards of showmanship in guest interactions and presentations.
- Mentor and coach less experienced trainers in operant conditioning, husbandry, and guest engagement.
- Embrace a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and non-standard hours.
- Work in an environment with regular exposure to cold saltwater.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences or related area is preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
- Minimum of two years’ experience working with marine mammals, birds, or other exotic animals or an equivalent amount of experience at another facility training animals
- Strong knowledge of utilizing positive reinforcement and operant conditioning principles.
- Demonstrated ability to condition basic behaviors from start to completion.
- Proven ability to work well within teams and departments
- Ability to work well with others in a diverse team environment and communicate proficiently with colleagues and guests.
- Demonstrates commitment to growth.
- Must have good hearing, vision.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Competent swimmer.
- Able to receive and apply feedback.
- Able to provide effective feedback.
- Ability to work holidays and weekends.
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Must possess a minimum of open water SCUBA certification.
- Employment is 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.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- 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
- Low noise
- Moderate Noise
- Loud Noise
BENEFITS WORKING AT SHEDD:
- We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discounts
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 humanresources@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.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
- In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).
