Senior Aquarist

About the role

The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Aquarist to join our team. This individual provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices; keeps systems/enclosures, workspaces, and support equipment well-maintained to National Aquarium standards; participates in the acquisition/disposition, transport, acclimation, and quarantine of animals; participates in the design, construction, and maintenance of exhibits and reserve tanks, including life support material and equipment, as assigned. Will be responsible for providing coverage for other areas as assigned. Will be the primary contact for assigned areas. Serves as an advisor and mentor to Aquarist staff on all aspects of husbandry procedures and protocols. Trains staff and supervises volunteers, interns, and team projects and acts as a leader and role model for other staff members.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the care and feeding of the animal collection and systems within assigned area.
• Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits, and reserve tanks twice daily to check status and identify and report potential problems.
• Prepares food and feeds assigned animals/systems/enclosures, in accordance with dietary needs.
• Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment, and utensils.
• Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep animals at peak health.
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends.
• Orders hardware, life-support supplies, aquarium supplies, and live animals as needed with Curatorial approval.
• Maintains current knowledge of all animal species under their care and their natural history (biology and environmental needs) and husbandry requirements through hands-on experience, upkeep with current literature, keeper exchange programs, and symposium participation (as approved).
• Develops strategies to get in-appetent animals to feed. Monitors weights of animals. Utilizes various feeding techniques and develops new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet to all animals in systems/enclosures housing multiple animals and species.
• Observes and recognizes medical conditions that may require attention and reports observations. Discusses best course of therapy with Animal Health and Curatorial staff.
• Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as needed.
• Maintains acquisition and disposition database.
• Participates in the acquisition and transport of plants and animals. Arranges the acquisition of plants and animals from professional collectors, other institutions, and wholesalers. Participates in field collection trips using appropriate equipment. Leads and manages national collection trips, as assigned, including securing location, travel, and other logistics and developing budget and plan proposals.
• Ensures adequate animal holding facilities in accordance with biological requirements of the animals are available prior to collection of specimens.
• Maintains cleanliness and artistic quality of the displays through cleaning glass and decor, scrubbing algae, and removing debris to meet established National Aquarium standards.
• Performs cleaning tasks, water changes, backwashing, and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintain water quality standards, and determines appropriate schedules for maintenance and trouble-shooting guides.
• Cleans backup areas including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water, and pest control.
• Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, and chillers dealing with life support for the building.
• Participates in system design and fabrication in keeping with animal behavior and biological needs.
• Serves as a representative of the Aquarium to the public and the media.
• Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs, and tours.
• Produces specific applied research projects.
• Offers advice to other aquariums and zoos regarding aquarium techniques and advises home hobbyists on husbandry problems.
• Trains and mentors new personnel including staff, volunteers, interns, and visiting professionals in all aspects of husbandry.
• Able to work well with supervisors and staff.
• As assigned, serves as a volunteer or intern coordinator, conducts interviews, and annual performance reviews.
• Responds to diver, life-support, and animal-related emergencies, at times after hours.
• As scheduled, works cooperatively to execute response to mitigate alarms for planned incidents or drills, including after-hours when needed.
• May have responsibility for occasionally being on-call or responding to emergencies after-hours; responsibility may cross more than one department/section.
• Provides back-up support to other departments as needed.
• Possess keen observation skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.
• Able to oversee section, as assigned, in the absence of Curators and Assistant Curators.
• Plans and implements special projects including minor exhibit renovations/ repairs.
• Recommends species acquisitions that support exhibit themes and enhance visitor experience and learning.
• Possess an affinity for animals, education orientation, and conservation ethics.
• Support organization mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Required Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, or related major, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in aquarium or zoological field with emphasis on closed aquatic systems.
• Previous experience training and mentoring paid and/or unpaid staff within assigned section.
• Ability to be certified in the operation of a power lift truck and overhead crane.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and ability to learn to operate a variety of vehicles.
• Open water scuba certification.
• CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record with the ability to operate a variety of vehicles.

Qualifications

• Other duties as assigned or required.
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