This position is responsible for the day-to-day husbandry operations in the St. Louis Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include the care and wellbeing of all animals under the facility’s care; maintenance of all habitats; and positive team approach within the Life Sciences Department.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Supervise and undertake daily operations within the Life Sciences Department to ensure highest level of safety, courtesy, education, efficiency, and operational readiness at all times.
- Maintain positive representation to professional agencies, institutions, and various committees.
- Ensure Compliance with health and safety standards in accordance with local municipality, state, and federal rules and regulations.
- Supervise assigned team members; provide coaching and expertise for their professional development.
- Supervise animal care team to ensure habitats meet compliance of facility specific policies and procedures.
- Perform duties in order to reduce loss/waste, control costs and accurately communicate expenses.
- Proactively assist in the implementation of new habitats and educational opportunities in order to maximize guest experience.
- Maintain up-to-date electronic records on animal health, water quality, system maintenance, system checks and stock reports.
- Monitor and identify animal health concerns, disease diagnosis and water quality concerns.
- Communicate any animal health concerns to Animal Care Manager, veterinary, and water quality staff to develop and implement a care and treatment plan.
- Comply with all policy and procedure documents.
- Assist in emergency situations to minimize damage, loss or injury to guests, team members, animals, or company property.
- In collaboration with Guest Experience Department and the Aquarium Foundation, ensure habitats and programs engage, educate, and entertain diverse audiences.
- Work closely with the Aquarium Foundation to ensure volunteers and educators provide exemplary guest service and engagement.
- Perform daily dive requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
- Three years + experience with animal husbandry required.
- Open Water Dive Certification required; Rescue Diver level or equivalent preferred.
- First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification required.
- Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
- Background in fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, birds, or small mammals required.
- Experience in the care of flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting preferred.
- Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong listening, presentation, and decision-making skills.
Abilities
The individual must possess the following abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some or a combination of the abilities.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
- Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
- Requires the ability to perform the physical, visual and hearing requirements in the working conditions below.
