The National Aquarium in Baltimore Maryland is seeking a part-time Animal Rescue Husbandry Aide who will be responsible for providing excellent day-to-day husbandry and medical care of marine turtles and marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation for the purpose of release back to the natural environment.

Essential Functions:

Provides routine, daily care and husbandry of reptiles and marine mammals in rehabilitation.

• Prepares daily diets and feeds patients; order supplies as needed.
• Administers oral supplements and medication as instructed.
• Monitors health of patients and works with manager and Animal Health staff to implement treatment programs as instructed.
• Responsible for the safe restraint of animals for husbandry and medical procedures.
• Weigh and monitor weight of patients.
• Maintains animal and related records in accordance with federal and Aquarium standards using computerized medical system and hardcopy files.
• Develops basic understanding of behavioral models to accomplish conditioning, enrichment, and husbandry goals for animals in rehabilitation, with an emphasis on ensuring releasable animals maintain natural behaviors.
• Plans and conducts enrichment sessions and opportunities as assigned.
• Participates in the acquisition, disposition and transport of patients.
• Monitors specimen food supply and ensures proper food rotation as instructed.
• Follows quarantine protocols.
• Observes animal behavior such as intra- species aggression, feeding, habitat use, etc., and gathers data in order to base management decisions.

Provides daily cleaning and maintenance of rehabilitation facilities, life support, animal enclosures, and support equipment.

• Services and cleans rehab enclosures and pools daily.
• Monitors and records temperature and water chemistry data, etc.
• Monitors, operates, and maintains life support equipment.
• Maintains cleanliness and organization of workspaces, rehab facilities, food prep, and support equipment.
• Maintains safety, animal, and response equipment as directed.
• Assists in pest control.

Participates in outreach and continuing education.

• Supports collection of digital content (photos, videos, etc) as directed.
• Provides back-up tours, presentations, and guest engagement as directed.
• Attends lectures, seminars, trainings, and other continuing education opportunities.

Follows established Aquarium protocols, policies, and quarantine.

• Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, aquatic sciences, psychology, or related science preferred.
• Experience caring for aquatic reptiles, and basic understanding of marine mammal natural history.
• Experience with closed aquatic system.

Competencies: Must have basic knowledge about marine biology and have an affinity for animals, including a reasonable comfort level around large and/or aggressive animals. Must be able to work productively in a teamwork environment. Familiarity with computers is necessary, including MS Office software (Word/Excel) and Adobe; ability to learn & effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software. Must be able to follow established policies and protocols. Must be able to work well under direction and have capacity to absorb feedback from manager or staff, and have the capacity to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation from manager. Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends, holidays and possible evening hours.

The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

Recently named one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work, the National Aquarium opened in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city’s Inner Harbor redevelopment. SmartCEO Magazine honored the National Aquarium with the Healthiest Workplace award and the Corporate Culture award in 2016. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked one of the nation’s two top aquariums and has hosted over 51 million guests since opening.

Today, the National Aquarium builds on a 40-year history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine life, ecosystems and aquatic communities. Its Animal Rescue team has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Its Animal Welfare and Science teams participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels. Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet.

HOW TO APPLY Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website here. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.