Vice President of Animal Care

As a global conservation organization located on the historic Boston waterfront, New England Aquarium inspires action, advocacy, and community engagement to address the impact of climate change on ocean animals and communities. New England Aquarium integrates animal wellbeing programs, applied ocean conservation research, and conservation learning on-site, in the community, and around the globe to positively impact conservation outcomes.

We are seeking a Vice President of Animal Care to lead the well-being of animals in the care of New England Aquarium. The Vice President will ensure exemplary day-to-day care and lead long-term planning for the animals of New England Aquarium. The Vice President will also lead, through a scientific and data-based approach, the ongoing improvement in practices in animal care operations in order to adequately provide for animal wellbeing.

Areas that report to the Vice President, Animal Care include: husbandry (Pinnipeds & Penguins and Fishes), veterinary services, environmental quality, rescue/rehabilitation, and diving. This role includes oversight of standard aspects of operational animal care: leadership of Animal Care staff, Oversight of exceptional animal wellbeing practices, regulatory compliance and safe operations, responsible budget management, collaboration on exhibit and infrastructure projects, and alignment of Animal Care activities and goals with organizational strategy.

The VP will report to the Chief Conservation Officer and regularly collaborate with leaders across the organization.

New England Aquarium has implemented comprehensive safety protocols for employees and visitors to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure. As a member of our team, you will be provided with the training and resources needed to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. In addition, the Aquarium requires all staff to be vaccinated with one booster shot (when eligible) against COVID-19 unless a reasonable medical or religious accommodation is requested and approved.

This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Aquarium Leadership

Provides leadership for Animal Care staff, including husbandry (Pinnipeds & Penguins and Fishes), veterinary services, environmental quality, rescue/rehabilitation, and diving. Represents animal wellbeing and Animal Care staff goals and needs at Senior Leadership level. Actively supports New England Aquarium's Strategic Framework and Talent & Culture initiatives. Advocates for animal wellbeing and welfare in decision-making processes. Ensures staff have opportunities to learn about and improve their understanding of animal wellbeing and applied animal welfare science.

Animal Care Operational Oversight

Oversight of exceptional animal wellbeing practices and operations. Ensures systems in place to maintain all regulatory compliance. Ensures Animal Care policies, protocols, and practices align with current Association of Zoos and Aquariums and USDA standards and guidance. Responsible budget management, including long-term planning for capital equipment and projects. Collaboration on exhibit and infrastructure projects across the organization, ensuring exceptional exhibits to meet visitor, animal, and staff needs. Alignment of Animal Care activities and goals with organization strategy. Supports Animal Care management and staff in utilizing data and learning systems to guide ongoing improvement in animal care. Ensures ongoing opportunities for staff education as well as for staff to teach peers. Works with Animal Care staff and Talent and Culture to develop standardized knowledge and practices to ensure all animals experience a similar baseline of care.

The Center for Aquarium Animal Wellbeing

Develop the framework and vision for the Center for Aquarium Animal Wellbeing. The framework and vision should be founded in and highlight current operations, strengths, practices, and differentiators of animal care groups generally and New England's Animal Care group specifically. The Center will focus on expanding the Aquarium's use of scientific process and data to make decision about animals and support advances in the field of animal care - include husbandry, veterinary care, welfare assessments, training/enrichment practices.

Aquarium Operations and Conservation Programs Collaboration

Establishes and supports efficient, collaborative processes within Animal Care and between Animal Care and other areas. Ensures Animal Care staff and activities support other business functions such as Conservation Learning on-site interpretation and programs, Visitor Experience activities, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life research, Facilities work, Development donor cultivation, and Marketing opportunities. Ensures workplace safety through compliance all relevant health and safety standards.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Senior Leadership

• Provides operational, financial, and administrative guidance to executive leadership to support strategic decision-making and successful operations of the animal care division.
• Identifies and recommends enhancements for diversification of revenue by improving existing operations and/or new initiatives while maintaining high levels of customer service.
• In collaboration with senior leadership, assists in the development of the organization's capital plan.

Internal Management

• A deep commitment to customer service and a track record of leading high-performance service delivery teams defined by a results-oriented culture of excellence and responsiveness.
• Recruits, manage, develop, and evaluate staff performance Lead the staff through professional leadership, mentoring, counseling, reorganization, growth and advancement and other personnel initiatives.
• Ensures the budgetary and administrative processes for all areas of responsibility are balanced and aligned with the Aquarium's strategic plan and goals.
• Collaborates on the development of a multi-year capital project budget for the Aquarium.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Training and Experience

• 8 or more years of experience in staff and operations management at a senior level in a relevant field.
• 5 or more years of hands-on and/or direct supervisory experience working with animals in an aquarium, zoological institution, or laboratory animal setting; preference given to aquarium and/or AZA institution experience.
• Bachelor's degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or related fields.
• Master's degree in a related field or veterinary degree desirable.
• Driver's License and SCUBA Certification desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability in aquarium or zoo exhibit management, or management of live animal collections.
• Excellent communication and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong leadership, team building, and organizational skills, attention to detail, and proven ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to interact positively and successfully with all levels of the institution and community.
• Sound professional knowledge of biology, welfare science, animal training and enrichment, and basic husbandry concepts, with a demonstrated ability to apply these in an aquarium setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of:
  • Integrated animal care in an animal care setting (e.g. disease prevention, exhibit fabrication, life support systems, water chemistry, diet, training/enrichment, welfare science).
  • A wide range of aquatic animal (vertebrate and invertebrate) taxa.
  • Advanced knowledge of aquatic life support systems and water quality desired.

For more information and to apply online please visit: http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/

New England Aquarium is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.