TRAINER / SENIOR TRAINER

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).