Exhibit Tech- Australia

About the role

The National Aquarium is seeking an Exhibit Technician to join our Australia-Rainforest team to provide flexible coverage to animal and plant care roles within the department.

Responsibilities

• Provides care and husbandry of assigned living specimens.
• Understands and implements specimen care that is concurrent with professional standards of animal welfare and well-being.
• Conducts annual welfare assessments for assigned specimens.
• Cleans and maintains kitchen and other food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils daily or as required.
• Follows established feeding schedules and provides appropriate food amounts to maintain specimens at a healthy weight and body condition.
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly with curatorial staff to identify important trends.
• Develops and utilizes various feeding techniques to overcome the challenges of feeding specimens housed in multi specimen/species enclosures.
• Monitors weights and monitors the body condition of specimens at assigned intervals.
• Maintains current knowledge of the natural history and professional husbandry standards for all assigned specimens through hands-on experience, literature reviews, and/or symposium participation.
• Maintains and updates area protocols with information on all assigned exhibits, back-up enclosures/tanks, and their associated life support systems.
• Maintains and remains current and compliant on all TRACKS related assignments.
• Maintains a valid Maryland drivers’ license.
• Observes, recognizes, and reports about medical conditions that may require attention.
• Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, lighting timers, climate control equipment, water supply, etc. in assigned areas.
• Responds to life-support and animal-related emergencies (including after hours) as assigned.
• Maintains and participates in the Integrated Pest Management Plan.
• Maintains a valid Maryland drivers’ license.
• Supports and participates in Animal Health case management and annual physicals of specimens as assigned, administer medications, and implements routine quarantine procedures as instructed.
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly with curatorial staff to identify important trends.
• Maintains and updates area protocols with information on all assigned exhibits, back-up enclosures/tanks, and their associated life support systems.
• Maintains and participates in the Integrated Pest Management Plan.
• Maintains a valid Maryland drivers’ license.
• Supports and participates in Animal Health case management and annual physicals of specimens as assigned, administer medications, and implements routine quarantine procedures as instructed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of one year experience in the care of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or other zoological facility.
• Preferred Experience with a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or fish species.
• Experience in the operation and maintenance of life support systems.
• Familiarity with the TRACKS database or the ability to learn.
• An ability to develop and maintain professional work relationships with co-workers and professional colleagues.
• Ability to follow all established safety procedures and policies and identify potential hazards in assigned areas.
• Ability to work safely on ladders, around water, at heights, and around potentially dangerous animals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, guests and colleagues both verbally and in writing.
• Good observational skills, be highly detail oriented, and adept at problem solving.

Skills

• Understanding current behavioral conditioning methodology with the ability to draft and implement animal training plans for assigned specimens.
• Participation in the acquisition/disposition and transport of living specimens as assigned.
• Responding to life-support and animal-related emergencies (including after hours) as assigned.
• Providing back-up support to other areas, as assigned.
• Maintaining and remains current and compliant on all TRACKS related assignments.
• Maintaining a valid Maryland drivers’ license.
• Observing, recognizing, and reporting about medical conditions that may require attention.
• Supporting and participating in Animal Health case management and annual physicals of specimens as assigned, administer medications, and implements routine quarantine procedures as instructed.
• Maintaining current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, lighting timers, climate control equipment, water supply, etc. in assigned areas.
• Conducting backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and to maintain high water quality standards.
• Cleaning and maintaining orderly workspaces and back-up areas and participates in the Integrated Pest Management Plan.
• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and professional colleagues.
• May represent the Aquarium in external, public-facing interactions, including those with media, donors and board members.
• May participate in workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.
• Participates in aquarium committees as assigned.
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

Total Compensation Information
Hourly range ($17.31-20.45) with hours worked over 40 in a week eligible for overtime, premium pay for National Aquarium recognized holidays, and shift differential for overnight shifts.
The National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package including four weeks paid time off, six paid floating holidays, up to four weeks of paid family leave and conservation day leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work and 401(k) plan participation with employer match available. Employees receive a family membership package and Aquarium tickets.

Pay

Hourly range ($17.31-20.45)

Schedule

Full Time