Exhibits Technician III (Assistant Curator), #JR-00679

Through direct involvement, this position places emphasis on the safe management of the Virginia Aquarium’s population of animals, and the animal care staff who are entrusted with their care while supporting the mission of the Virginia Aquarium and the City of Virginia Beach. The population of species includes large elasmobranchs, teleosts, invertebrates, crocodilians, monitor lizards, venomous and non-venomous snakes, fishes, invertebrates (including jellies), and a variety of amphibians.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of section staff, divers, volunteers, and interns to ensure the welfare of live animal populations and management of assigned areas
• Lead and coordinate advanced husbandry procedures such as physical examinations with animals in the collection (some potentially dangerous)
• Conduct emergency response training and drills in the event of a dangerous animal escape or injury
• Work closely with senior curatorial staff and veterinary team to develop SOPs and collection plans
• Conduct repairs, design and build new exhibits, maintain life support systems, and assist with cost analysis of relevant exhibits
• Remain abreast of the latest animal care techniques for these unique species and seek opportunities to become involved with groups or organizations such as AZA, TAG or SSP groups where possible
• Support the guest experience by participating in visitor enhancement development and actively seek out guest engagement opportunities

Requirements

• Four years of full-time equivalent advanced husbandry experience with cnidarians (including jellies and corals), crustaceans, elasmobranchs, teleosts, and cephalopods in a public aquarium or similar facility
• Four years of full-time equivalent experience (may be concurrent) with marine and freshwater life support system maintenance and repair in a public aquarium or similar facility; specific preference will be given to mixed taxa exhibits
• Two years of experience leading and coordinating animal procedures
• Experience supervising, coaching, and managing husbandry staff including conducting performance evaluations and providing feedback
• Four years of exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving experience, including leading dives performed in a public aquarium or similar facility
• Current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency

Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, marine biology, marine science, zoology, aquarium science, aquaculture, or related field
• Experience with animal acquisitions and dispositions
• Experience researching and procuring aquarium and animal products
• Operating/working knowledge of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and/or Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) current standards, guidelines, and programs
• Operating/working knowledge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ current guidelines and standards

Schedule

40 hours/week between 7AM-6PM including weekends, rotating holidays and occasional evenings for special events.

Benefits

• Health, dental and life insurance
• Retirement and savings plans
• Maternity/paternity and parental leave
• Holiday and paid leave