Wild Animal Keeper, Oceans, Wonders: Shark!

About the role

The New York Aquarium seeks a Wild Animal Keeper to provide excellent animal care and enhance the visitor experience. The role involves performing various tasks to ensure animal wellbeing and exhibit appearance.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Aquarium, and Animal Department standards of conduct, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain safe and sanitary areas of food preparation/storage and animal habitats.
• Ensure animals receive the appropriate nutrition, food bases, and report changes through clear communication with Animal Supervisor.
• Perform all primary and supportive roles in public demonstrations and exhibit feeds.
• Promptly report any indication of illness or significantly unusual behavior being displayed.
• Carry out the instructions for the care of sick and neonate animals, including administering treatments, vitamins, and medication.
• Observe the animals and their habitats for any indication of problems with environmental parameters or life support.
• Inspect exhibits to ascertain whether corrective steps need to be taken to ensure appropriate environmental conditions, including but not limited to, inspecting filtration, water quality, lighting, temperature, and cleanliness.
• Supervise and participate in the transfer of animals from one enclosure, habitat, zoo, aquarium, etc., to another.
• Participate, and/or lead in the installation of exhibit materials.
• Function in a team environment, demonstrating consideration, tolerance, cooperation, reliability, the ability to accept feedback, and a consistent professional approach to job.
• Excellent communication skills a must.
• Work in all areas of the Animal Department and ensure that all animal enclosures are appropriately secured at all times, regardless of the staff member responsible for the area.
• Use operant conditioning via positive reinforcement to condition new behaviors and maintain each animal’s current behavior criteria as assigned by Animal Department Management.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of established behavior goals.
• Maintain animal husbandry, training, and enrichment records of all animals and facilitate the same for all team members.
• Maintain a proactive approach to behavioral husbandry and anticipate behavioral issues.
• Consistently strengthen animal conditioning skills and techniques, through observation, listening, participation, reading appropriate materials, and providing feedback to colleagues.
• Work with the Aquarium’s education department to facilitate educational programs.
• Clean pools, tanks, exhibits, and all appropriate habitats through SCUBA diving.
• Provide relief and coverage for a Senior Wild Animal Keeper in his/her absence.
• Participate in the training of new staff, interns, and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Understanding of life support system and filtration is necessary to be successful in the position.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and special events as schedule demands.
• Experience working directly with aquatic animals in a zoo/aquarium, rescue/rehabilitation center, or other related facility.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills are a critical requirement along with strong oral and written communication.
• Must be highly self-motivated and similarly able to take direction.
• Experience working with volunteers preferred.
• Must be comfortable actively interacting with visitors to the Aquarium.
• Active membership in professional associations (e.g. AZA, IMATA) preferred.
• Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in biology, psychology or related field. At least 2 years’ experience in practical work or volunteer/internship with aquatic animals in controlled environments. SCUBA certification. Must have a current, valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands

• Frequent keyboard use, wrist turning, and neck movement;
• ability to alternate between sitting and standing;
• frequency standing, walking, and stair climbing;
• occasional driving;
• lifting and carrying up to 50lbs.

Workplace Conditions and Environment

• This role is primarily performed indoors and requires frequent close interaction with others, with occasional periods of independent work.
• This position may involve occasional exposure to elevated noise levels.