Aquarist

About the role

Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and park in Richmond, Virginia, featuring the historic Maymont Mansion, Robins Nature Center, arboretum, formal gardens, and habitats for native Virginia wildlife and farm animals. Over 800,000 guests enjoy Maymont yearly through seasonal events, programs, and rental spaces. The Maymont Foundation, a nonprofit organization, operates Maymont with a mission to create experiences that delight, educate, and inspire. The Foundation is seeking an Aquarist to care for and maintain the health and appearance of fish and other taxa in the Robins Nature Center, maintain support areas including the water testing lab and life support systems, and engage with guests through programming and education efforts. This role will also provide support to other animal care teams as needed and reports to the Senior Manager of Zoology.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the health and appearance of all animals within the Robins Nature Center, including fish, amphibians, reptiles (including venomous species), raptors, and mammals. Duties include diet preparation, feeding, cleaning, observation, enrichment, and animal training using operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
• Maintain exhibit appearance through independent work and collaboration with other animal care staff.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair life support systems (LSS).
• Maintain daily records, including inventory, animal health, and water quality data.
• Educate and inform individuals and groups by answering questions, leading programs, guiding behind-the-scenes tours, teaching workshops, and supervising interns, volunteers, and students.
• Analyze water samples for dissolved gases, nutrients, heavy metals, pH, salinity, temperature, and medications to ensure adequate water quality for animal health.
• Research data to properly understand and maintain the animals within the area of responsibility.
• Participate in exhibit improvement, design, and other planning initiatives.
• Participate in Maymont Tent Pole Events as needed, which may require working outside of the regular schedule.
• Support other animal care teams, such as the Children’s Farm and Habitats, as needed.
• Assist with other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Competencies

• Ability to work in inclement weather throughout the year.
• Flexibility in schedule availability; weekends and some holidays will be required.
• Ability to work effectively with co-workers and Maymont visitors.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check.
• Valid driver’s license with reliable transportation to and from Maymont.

Education and Experience

• Minimum requirement: Associate’s degree in Zoo Animal Technology or equivalent accepted education and one year of professional experience in a public aquarium, zoo, or related facility utilizing life support systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ichthyology, marine science, zoology, or a related natural science field is preferred, with a good knowledge of native freshwater fauna.
• SCUBA certification within six months of employment; prior SCUBA certification is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of electricity, plumbing, and mechanical aspects of aquarium life support systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry, including disease and parasite control, animal nutrition, breeding, behavior, and training.

Additional Skills and Abilities

• Experience in animal restraint and handling.
• Experience using operant conditioning techniques.
• Proficiency with hand and gardening tools, power tools, personal computers, microscopes, and first aid equipment.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and talking for extended periods.
• Frequent climbing, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work inside and outside in all-weather conditions throughout the year.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off and health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.