Senior Animal Care Specialist 168 views

ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC is looking for a Senior Animal Care Specialist

Location: USA

Job Type: Full-time

Position Summary:

As part of the OdySea Aquarium animal team, this position works with diverse animals including (but not limited to) California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, African penguins, reptiles, and small exotic land animals. A central responsibility of this position will be the operation of educational animal presentations and interactions with guests. Individual will demonstrate operant conditioning within the training department and throughout the aquarium to enhance animal welfare and visitor experience opportunities. Individual will be integral in educating aquarium guests about species survival and conservation through presentations.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for maintaining the highest level of animal welfare including both proactive and reactive identification, communication, and management of areas of opportunity.
• Responsible for overseeing all husbandry and behavioral training of animals in the assigned area and facilitating behavioral goals.
• Participate in educational animal presentations, shows, and interactive programs within the aquarium.
• Represent OdySea Aquarium off property through educational animal appearances at schools, media events, and other public engagements.
• Representation of OdySea Aquarium through positive guest interactions and experiences daily.
• Assists with implementation and execution of all department Standard Operating Procedures, team member training and development, and adherence of team members to all policies and safety protocols.
• Work to coach and develop assigned team members and facilitate team members’ personal and professional goals. Conduct regular reviews of personnel.
• Lead team members in facilitating a cooperative working environment that promotes a culture of teamwork, positivity, inclusion, and growth.
• Help create and implement enrichment plans for area animals.
• Participate in collection and facilities planning, development of exhibits and educational planning, and research and conservation activities.
• Inspect exhibits and related facilities daily for cleanliness, safety, and structural integrity.
• Facilitate communication between management and team members regarding animals’ health, behavior, and general departmental notifications.
• Collaborate with Animal Care Manager, Director of Animal Care and Education, and Director of Animal Health in development of diets, husbandry techniques, and area protocols.
• Ensure accurate and appropriate record keeping is maintained within the department.
• Work closely with leadership to develop and implement aquarium standards and procedures and ensure compliance with the requirements of various professional associations and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain highest level of animal husbandry and training practices.
• Assist with departmental budget management by monitoring area inventory and ordering of supplies.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of industry innovations and progressive animal care through professional meetings and conferences, trade journals, and communication with professional colleagues.
• Represent the Animal Care Department and OdySea Aquarium to visiting investors, professionals, guests, and media.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, or irregular hours dictated by facility or animal needs.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by Director.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology, Marine Science or related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years paid experience working with and training marine and/or terrestrial animals at an AZA accredited or equivalent facility, at least 3 years of which must be in a paid leadership role.
• SCUBA certification.
• Excellent public speaking and showmanship experience.
• Experience with neonate and juvenile rearing preferred.
• Life support experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must be able to access animal pools, exhibits, and enclosures
• Must be a strong swimmer, with the ability to pass departmental swim test
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, as well as walk.
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, or crawl.
• Required to frequently talk and hear.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance and agility of movement which might interfere with ability to work.
• Specific vision requirement for this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Must be able to take directional cues directly or indirectly.
• Ability to work in an environment that may be loud at times.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including occasional extreme hot or cold, and wet and/or humid conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Interested candidates please apply.