Senior Aquarist - Harborview Aquarium

About the role

This position is responsible for helping facilitate and supervise the day-to-day husbandry operations in the Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include the care and wellbeing of all animals under the facility’s care; maintenance of all habitats; managing daily activities of team members, and mentoring team members.

Responsibilities

• Preopening/Commissioning Phase
• Participate in the execution of animal acquisitions, introductions, and acclimations.
• Aid in the development and establishment of effective exhibits and holding systems, including the life support systems, aesthetic, and animal husbandry components.
• Aid in creating standard operating procedures for welfare, safety, animal care, programming, and guest interaction as well as all paperwork associated with the life sciences team.
• Aid in animal transfers and quarantine processes following veterinary and regulatory partners.
• Aid in the training and onboarding of new staff prior to opening.
• Aid in both short and long term planning and project execution.
• Aid in ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment.
• Operational Phase
• Supervise staff within the Aquatics Department to ensure highest level of safety, courtesy, education, efficiency and operational readiness at all times.
• Manage activities to maintain positive representation to professional agencies, institutions and various committees.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards in accordance with local municipality, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Ensure animal care and habitats meet compliance of facility specific policies and procedures.
• Cook up the coordination of maintenance and operation of life support systems and other technical systems.
• Proactively assist in the implementation of new habitats and educational opportunities in order to maximize revenues and guest experience.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic records on animal health, water quality, system maintenance, system checks, and stock reports.
• Monitor and identify the effectiveness of habitats, including comprehensive review and improvement of animal habitats and animal care standards.
• Monitor and identify animal health concerns, disease diagnosis and water quality concerns.
• Communicate to the Assistant Curator, General Curator, veterinary and water quality staff any animal health concerns to develop and implement a care and treatment plan.
• Manage and maintain animal behaviors in line with veterinary health check requirements.
• Aid in the development and implementation of policy and procedure documents.
• Aid in the preparation of periodic reports for all Life Sciences Department activities.
• In collaboration with Guest Experience Department and the Aquarium Foundation, ensure habitats and programs engage, educate and entertain diverse audiences.
• Work closely with the Aquarium Foundation to ensure volunteers and educators provide exemplary guest service and engagement.
• Perform exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving as required.
• Provide leadership in the absence of the Assistant Curator and General Curator.
• Motivate and inspire team members to perform at their very best through role modeling, providing feedback, rewarding and recognizing, respecting and frequent communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Three years + experience in the animal care field required.
• Open water certification required.
• First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification are preferred but will be provided if needed.
• Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
• Proven aptitude for developing compelling habitats preferred.
• Experienced animal biologist/aquarist with a strong background in fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals required.
• Strong working knowledge of animal husbandry, disease prevention and treatment, and breeding/rearing techniques.
• Working knowledge of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment.
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements, and environmental needs of a diverse animal collection.
• Experience in the care of flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting.
• Experience working with relevant authorities and accrediting associations.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must have strong teamwork, interpersonal, and organizational skills conducive to a positive work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills.
• Creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge.
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.

Qualifications

• Requires walking/standing for long periods of time, bending and crouching, climbing, working in small/tight spaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• May require driving aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• Requires the ability to perform the physical, visual and hearing requirements in the working conditions above.
• May require immunizations including TB testing and rabies.