Facility
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position: Senior Quarantine Aquarist/Keeper
Reports To: Curator of Marine Aquatics
Position Summary:
The Senior Aquarist-Keeper is responsible for providing the highest possible quality of care to the animals in his/her care. This responsibility includes the set-up, maintenance and care of aquarium exhibits, preparing and dispensing food, disease recognition and treatment, life support system construction and operation, and species identification. The individual will maintain current on the husbandry and natural history of all fish, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and small mammals in their area of responsibility. The Senior Aquarist-Keeper also ensures that all animal dispositions are conducted in a humane and ethical manner. The Quarantine Aquarist-Keeper has the knowledge and ability to act as a resource for Aquarist I.II and III, volunteers and interns. The Senior Aquarist-Keeper also trains Aquarist-Keeper III, II, I, interns and volunteers as directed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Acts as a resource to Level I, II, and III Aquarists, Keepers, Interns and Volunteers
o Train, develop and oversee the work of volunteers and interns assigned to work in the individual’s area of responsibility
• Assist the Curator with the management and oversight of all quarantine systems while ensuring a consistently high standard of animal care in these systems.
• Perform the required medicinal treatments of specimens in quarantine
• Perform weekly water quality testing on all systems
• Maintain accurate daily records for all quarantine systems
• Participate in the development of new treatment protocols
• Participate in specimen transports, water quality testing, quarantine, diagnosis and treatment of fish disease
• Has acquired and maintains appropriate skill set allowing for an advanced ability to cover and problem solve LLPA aquarium systems
• Maintains live exhibits and specimen holding facilities at a high level of quality
• Performs general husbandry functions without direct supervision
• Assume responsibility for the oversight of the daily operations within the Husbandry Department in the absence of the Curator
• May be asked to serve as a liaison between the Husbandry Department and other Departments for special events
• Maintain the highest level of animal health care and disease management
• Maintain proper water quality to ensure the health of the organisms and high water clarity
• Ensure the proper care of life support equipment by adhering to a regular preventative maintenance schedule and by keeping all items clean
• Ensure proper lighting requirements are achieved and maintained
• Complete inspection rounds at least twice daily to check status of all exhibit and holding/quarantine systems and their occupants. Make daily observations of animals for health and behavioral assessment and report suspected incidence of disease immediately to the management
• Administer medications as needed under the direction of the Curator, Director or Veterinarian
• Report all non-function life support equipment to the Curator, Director of Animal Husbandry, or in emergency situations, Life Support Systems Manager
• Assist with system design and fabrication during renovations
• Prepare food and feed organisms
• Maintain all established records in accordance with established practice and policy (acquisition, disposition, tank records, water quality records, etc.)
• Maintain a clean work area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours. Senior Aquarist-Keepers are responsible for making sure all areas in their section (Saltwater, Freshwater, Quarantine, Endotherms) meet those standards.
• Adhere to all safety protocols (fire, diving, etc.)
• Demonstrate flexibility in completing tasks, which may extend after normal working hours or to weekends and holidays
• Collaborate with colleagues from other aquariums and zoos in aquarium techniques
• Present workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and behind the scenes tours
• Provide alternate coverage for other team members as assigned
• Ensure all husbandry areas are kept clean, organized and hazard free
• Maintain supplies and equipment needed for the department
• Maintain proficiency from previous areas with an emphasis on teaching and mentoring Aquarists, Keepers, I, II, and III as well as interns and volunteers.
• Member of the LLPA Dive Control Board
• Other duties as assigned
Education and Pre-requisites
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• Extensive knowledge of quarantine procedures and protocols
• Extensive knowledge of disease identification and treatment
• Extensive knowledge of biological processes as they pertain to water chemistry, physiology, animal health and psychological well being
• Strong identification skills, ability to identify all animals under your care
• Possesses familiarity with the natural history of all animals in their section, including a good understanding of the requirements of individual species in captivity
• Attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent leadership, team building and mentoring skills
• In-depth expertise in a specialized discipline of Aquarium Sciences (e.g. fish, invertebrate or reptile breeding techniques, water chemistry, life support system design, etc.)
• Working knowledge of the Animal Health Lab (necropsies, skin scrapes, etc.)
QUALIFICATIONS
A Senior Aquarist-Keeper must have previous exposure to aquariums and/or zoos and a background related to living organisms. Experience with, understanding of, and aptitude for maintaining fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small mammals is essential. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required.
• A college degree (A.A, A.S. B.A. or B.S.) is required with an emphasis on biology or science course work, or equivalent hands on work experience/knowledge may be considered
• Five (5) years’ experience caring for animals in a public aquarium or zoological facility
• Is a role model for performing consistent, high quality animal husbandry practices on a daily basis; consistently maintains excellent standards
• Experience and proficiency in all Aquarium procedures
• Demonstrates competency in advanced plumbing skills (comfortable plumbing PVC pipe over 1”)
• Is a role model for professionalism including:
o contributes to a positive and productive work environment
o demonstrates self-motivated initiative
o assist others when opportunities arise; promotes teamwork
o represents LLPA in words and actions
o possesses good communication and organizational skills
• Basic competency of all LLPA aquarium systems and ability to cover any aquatic or terrestrial system in the department
• Demonstrates husbandry expertise of a fish, amphibian, small mammal, reptile, bird, and invertebrate species, or an area of specialization
• Possess a valid driver’s license and obtain a Utah driver’s license within 6 months of hire date
• SCUBA certified – open water
PREFERRED ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Presents at a conference or publishes a paper on an aquarium-related topic
• Involvement in professional organizations; committee member, institutional representative for Species Survival Plans
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Ability to swim
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to walk up and down ladders
• Ability to work with various cleaning chemicals
• Ability to work with venomous animals
• Ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Hot and cold environments
• Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions
• Elevated platforms
• Aquarium habitats
• Uneven surfaces
• Confined spaces
• Underwater environments
• Noisy workspaces
While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities for this job at any time.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. LLPA does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other protected class under federal, state or local laws.
Compensation and benefits
Compensation is hourly and dependent on experience. This is a full-time, benefited position. LLPA benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k, paid holidays, paid vacation, and membership benefits.
Application instructions
Click the link below or visit our website www.thelivingplanet.com to apply online.
https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=LvgPlanet&jobId=128920&lang=en_US&source=CC3