Animal Care Specialist I (Bird & Mammal)

About the Role

As part of the OdySea Aquarium animal team, this position involves working with a diverse collection of animals including California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, African penguins, reptiles, and small exotic land animals. Key responsibilities include daily operations of assigned areas such as habitat cleaning, maintenance, food preparation, and enrichment management. The role also focuses on delivering educational animal presentations and engaging guest interactions, utilizing operant conditioning techniques to enhance animal welfare and visitor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the highest level of animal welfare through proactive and reactive identification, communication, and management of areas of opportunity.
• Participate in educational animal presentations, shows, and interactive programs.
• Ensure positive and engaging daily interactions with guests.
• Uphold all department Standard Operating Procedures.
• Support the training and mentoring of intern and volunteer team members.
• Help create and implement enrichment plans for assigned animals.
• Participate in the development of exhibits, educational planning, research, and conservation activities.
• Inspect and maintain exhibits and related facilities daily for cleanliness, safety, and structural integrity.
• Communicate effectively with the Animal Care team and departmental leadership.
• Ensure adherence to aquarium standards, procedures, and compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Maintain high standards of animal husbandry and training practices.
• Stay updated on industry innovations and progressive animal care through professional meetings, conferences, and trade journals.
• Represent the Animal Care Department and OdySea Aquarium to visiting investors, professionals, guests, and media.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director, Curator, and/or Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology, Marine Science, or related discipline preferred; equivalent alternate experience accepted.
• Minimum 1-year experience in a zoological setting working with exotic marine and/or terrestrial animals.
• Excellent public speaking skills.

Physical and Medical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be able to access animal pools, exhibits, and enclosures.
• Must be a strong swimmer, with the ability to pass a departmental swim test.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or irregular hours dictated by facility or animal needs.
• Experience with neonate and juvenile rearing preferred.
• Life support experience preferred.
• Ability to stand for long periods, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, or crawl.
• Must be able to frequently talk and hear.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, or agility that might interfere with job performance.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Must be able to take directional cues directly or indirectly.
• Ability to work in environments that may be loud, and in all weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, and wet or humid conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.