Facility
Flint RiverQuarium / Chehaw Park & Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
This is a full-time, benefitted position working in a professional aquarium setting with a variety of native and exotic fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Our husbandry team is under new management and looking for dedicated people to help us continue our upward trend of improved standards.
• Attend to assigned animals; prepare diets, feed, and provide water; sanitize enclosure furniture/floors and food/water dishes as scheduled or necessary; perform approved enrichment and training activities; assist in the capture and restraint of animals; as assigned, monitor water quality, including salinity, pH, dissolved Oxygen, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, copper, ozone, and chlorine levels
• Perform dive maintenance and diving demonstrations in the 175k gallon “Blue Hole” exhibit and smaller aquatic exhibits, as assigned
• Inspect animals for health problems; collect fecal samples for testing; condition/train animals for veterinary procedures; assist veterinarians with medical exams and procedures, including surgery and necropsies; administer medications to animals
• Record relevant information in facility’s recordkeeping database, including animal observations, health concerns and treatments, acquisitions/births, dispositions/deaths, etc.; objectively complete animal welfare assessments, as assigned
• Perform routine repairs and maintenance on exhibits/enclosures as needed; construct improvements, furnishings, and decorations for exhibits; demolish unwanted structures; accompany outside contractors working within animal areas; may shovel, rake, or scrub enclosure surfaces; may replace substrate, control weeds, and collect browse; communicate work-order requests to supervisor
• Competently assess needs within assigned area and initiate feasible solutions to problems with minimal assistance
• Consistently and reliably report for all scheduled shifts without tardiness; show willingness to cover unscheduled shifts as needed; attend staff meetings
• Assist in planning and conducting educational and interactive guest programs; engage the public to encourage curiosity and facilitate a positive experience
• Support institution’s Vision, Mission, and Value statements; maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of fellow staff, volunteers, and guests
• As needed, coordinate the activities of community service workers, students, or volunteers
Education and Pre-requisites
• Associate degree or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of previous experience and/or training involving animal care, wildlife biology, or related field
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to/from work
• Significant knowledge about exotic animal husbandry and captive management; ability to build upon this knowledge and to adapt as necessary to animal collection changes
• Basic computer skills
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions on a daily basis; must be able to tolerate strong odors, dust, hay, dander, and dampness; may be required to stand or sit for extended periods of time and/or to twist, bend, crouch, squat, climb, crawl, kneel, jump, swim, or carry objects for short distances; may be exposed to chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, vehicles, and potentially dangerous animals
• SCUBA certification or willingness and ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment
Compensation and benefits
Full-time
Hourly pay: $10.22 – 12.14, dependent on experience and qualifications
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurances; paid-time off.
Application instructions
Send resume and cover letter to CKoenig@chehaw.org on or before listed closing date of August 24, 2021. Email’s subject line should include: August 2021 Aquarist II AAZK.
No telephone calls will be accepted.