Facility
The Florida Aquarium
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position Summary
Lead a team of Biologists for multiple offsite exhibit locations to achieve The Florida Aquarium’s mission to entertain, educate, and inspire stewardship about our natural environment by exemplifying the Aquarium’s values of Respect, Trust, and Excellence. Directly care for the aquarium’s aquatic animals within our collection. Perform essential and secondary job functions in accordance with guidelines set and approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other safety regulatory agencies. Must have a passion for offsite exhibit animal care and maintenance, and management of a team.
Essential Position Duties
• Oversee all offsite exhibits including but not limited to animal care, life support, large animal moves, aquascaping, and graphics. Exhibits include saltwater habitats for teleosts, elasmobranchs and invertebrates including elasmobranch touch pools. Strong verbal communication with external departments including but not limited to Design, Engineering, and Education.
• Analyzes cost and benefits of operations to provide the highest level of animal care and wellness
• Oversees daily animal husbandry duties; including but not limited to ensuring accurate daily reports, prepped and enriched food, proper animal feeding techniques, and animal behavior training plans
• Promptly reports any animal injury, illness or abnormal behavior to the Animal Health team to ensure the highest standards for all animals
• Provides exhibit specific training for Husbandry staff, volunteers and interns
• Fulfills managerial/administrative roles; including but not limited to setting goals, conducting performance evaluations, leading meetings, ordering supplies and equipment, planning simple projects, and acting as Point of Contact
• Ensures clean exhibits, service and holding areas, and backup areas
Secondary Functions
• Coaches team to demonstrate the interpersonal skills that embody The Florida Aquarium’s values of trust, respect and excellence
• Creates professional presentations and reports
• Analyses the cost and benefits of roles in a team setting
• Creates efficient work processes
• Oversees the maintenance of supplies and equipment necessary for the care of the collection
• All other duties as required
Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a facility working with aquatic and terrestrial organisms including but not limited to: marine teleosts, elasmobranchs, inverts, and corals
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role of staff, volunteers, interns, programs, or projects at a museum, zoo, aquarium, or related facility
• BS or higher degree in a biological science or related field with equivalent experience
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements and cleaning needs of a diverse animal collection consisting of marine fish and invertebrates, and sea turtles
• Thorough knowledge of life support systems and water quality parameters for aquatic species is required
• Knowledge of Animal Record Keeping systems (ZIMS/ISIS) preferred
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• SCUBA certification required with ability to advance to Open Water Scientific Diver/Rescue Diver level within 6 months of hire
• Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays; available to be on-call after hours
Competencies
• Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency – Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies.
• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork – Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments for organizational success. Demonstrates a positive attitude and initiative, seeks to understand before being understood. Fosters a positive, supportive and encouraging work environment. Demonstrates respect for other’s opinions, trusts in their abilities and recognizes their contributions.
• Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers, and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listen to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
• Development of People – Provides personal/professional growth opportunities for subordinates and others.
• Empowerment/Delegation – Providing both the decision making authority and responsibility for projects or tasks; setting clear expectations and providing the necessary resources so that people’s time, skills and talents can be used effectively.
• Planning and Organization – Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that participate changes in the work environment.
• Facilitation/Meeting Leadership – Using the appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to guide a meeting toward its objectives; motivating groups and modifying behavior according to the tasks and priorities at hand; developing teamwork and cooperation within groups.
Typical Physical Requirements
• Sitting (2 hours per day)
• Standing (2 hours per day)
• Walking (4 hours per day)
• Bending/Stooping — Frequently
• Squatting — Frequently
• Crawling — Occasionally
• Climbing heights (12’) — Frequently
• Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
• Crouching — Occasionally
• Kneeling — Frequently
• Balancing — Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
• Carrying (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Lifting (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Using hands for repetitive movements — fine manipulating
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
• Typing on a computer keyboard
• Excellent vision for proofing and detail work
• Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained
• Operating machinery and boats
• Ability to travel (car) as needed — locally and/or nationally
• Ability to travel (air) as needed
• Ability to conduct field work in collection and research
• Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
Education and Pre-requisites
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a facility working with aquatic and terrestrial organisms including but not limited to: marine teleosts, elasmobranchs, inverts, and corals
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role of staff, volunteers, interns, programs, or projects at a museum, zoo, aquarium, or related facility
• BS or higher degree in a biological science or related field with equivalent experience
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements and cleaning needs of a diverse animal collection consisting of marine fish and invertebrates, and sea turtles
• Thorough knowledge of life support systems and water quality parameters for aquatic species is required
• Knowledge of Animal Record Keeping systems (ZIMS/ISIS) preferred
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• SCUBA certification required with ability to advance to Open Water Scientific Diver/Rescue Diver level within 6 months of hire
• Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays; available to be on-call after hours
Compensation and benefits
Compensation is negotiable based on experience. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance(s), Retirement Plan options, discounts, and more!
Application instructions
Interested candidates should visit our Career Center at https://www.flaquarium.org/careers to apply.