Facility
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Job Summary
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is dedicated to educating, entertaining, and inspiring our guests to respect and preserve wildlife by providing unique and memorable experiences for visitors of all ages to connect with marine life. The Gulfarium is looking for an individual to fill the Curator of Fish and Reptiles role. The aquarium team is responsible for over 150 species of teleosts, elasmobranchs, herptiles, and invertebrates, as well as their associated habitats/life support systems while also carrying out the department’s many daily interaction programs with guests.
Direct Responsibilities include:
– Oversee development, implementation, and supervision of safe, proper protocols for all aspects of care for the fish and reptile collection including: sanitation, health, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, and behavioral husbandry.
– Cooperatively develop and implement comprehensive collection plans for each section of the department as well as directs the safe coordination of animal acquisitions and dispositions.
– Excels in all aspects of husbandry, knowledge, communication, and team responsibility. With the team, demonstrates a sense of leadership in all actions and decisions. Is driven by the need to improve all aspects of their work. Has excellent ability of problem-solving.
– Function as a leader and a resource for aquarist and reptile staff in day-to-day operations, providing thorough guidance. Assist aquarists with the development of exhibit improvements, training, and enrichment proposals, and encouraging advancements in husbandry practices in all areas.
– Collaborate with veterinary staff on the medical care of the aquarium animal collection.
– Collaborate in production of interpretive graphics associated with animal exhibits.
– Manage buildings, exhibits, holding areas and grounds of relevant areas.
– Exercise sound judgement to evaluate animal health and identify concerns as they arise. Develop strategies and solutions to health or behavioral concerns.
– Develop short and long-term strategies to activate and/or refresh existing exhibits, plan for renovations, and explore concepts for new interactive programming and spaces (maximizing quality of life for animals, guests, and staff).
Improve husbandry best practices, developing procedures aimed at increasing efficiency and advancing animal care and welfare.
– Maintain required local, state, and federal permits as required.
– Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Pre-requisites
Desired Qualifications
Education and work experience
• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, zoology, or an equivalent field of study.
• Ten years’ experience in the zoological field with at least five being marine animals. Deep understanding of aquatic life support systems and maintenance of facilities.
• Five years’ experience in a supervisory and operational capacity.
• Experience with venomous fish and snakes.
Skills and knowledge
• A broad-based knowledge of biological collections management.
• Experience managing a complex organizational and financial structure.
• Proven communication, leadership, and relationship building skills.
• Possess the maturity, professionalism, and high ethical standards that project integrity trust, and confidence.
• Requires a goal-oriented individual who has high energy, and an experienced manager who is willing to think outside the box, and who can make tough decisions based on thoughtful consideration of issues. The successful candidate will be a consensus builder and have a positive outlook.
• Dive certification and ability to dive on a regular basis.
• Commitment to animal care excellence and a passion for conservation.
Environmental/Working Conditions:
• Evening, weekend, holiday work may be required.
• Available based on special needs/circumstances on a 24-hour basis.
• Must have good physical agility, strength, good hearing, and vision, and perform physically demanding labor in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments e.g., animal enclosures.
• Candidate must maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards, and comply with the Gulfarium Employee Handbook.
• Candidate must have the ability to establish and maintain effective, efficient, and cooperative relationships with staff, management, vendors, and park guests.
• Candidate must be able to work effectively with minimal supervision and approach all encounters with staff and guests in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
• Maintain all animal health care areas to or above industry standards, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, organization, equipment care and maintenance, and hygiene.
Compensation and benefits
Compensation and Benefits:
• This is a full-time salaried position commensurate with experience, offering benefits such as company paid time off, company health insurance coverage, 401 (K), and organizational membership.
Application instructions
Please send cover letter and resume/CV to info@gulfarium.com with subject line: Curator of Fish and Reptiles.