Curator, Amazon

Vanaqua; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 107,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive Benefits Plan

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Company Discounts

Mission-driven work environment

Job summary

Vancouver Aquarium seeks a senior Animal Care leader responsible for the care and welfare of animals in the Amazon gallery. The role also develops department operations, protocols, and procedures across reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, invertebrates and mammals in a free-range gallery.

You will collaborate with veterinary staff, oversee training programs, and manage capital projects related to animal care while ensuring safety and excellent guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Degree in Biology or equivalent (Zoology, etc.) preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exceptional communication skills (Verbal & Written).
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Strong customer service skills with both internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Ensures animal care and welfare practices meet accreditation standards and comply with laws and regulations.
• Manages and develops personnel to ensure high-quality operations and ongoing modernization.
• Develops training manuals, educational methods, and evaluation criteria for staff advancement.
• Oversees displays, presentations, and programs to align with Vancouver Aquarium's mission.
• Collaborates with veterinary team on animal health.
• Maintains habitats and improves gallery vegetation for animal welfare.
• Implements safety measures for animals, guests, and staff in the gallery.
• Leads collection management planning for sustainability and exchanges/purchases with other institutions.
• Supports capital project development with the Director of Animal Care.
• Ensures records for all animals are standardized and accurate.
• Leads performance evaluations and annual reviews of direct reports.
• Contributes to exhibit development and construction oversight for health and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Mentoring

Customer service

Education

Biology/Zoology degree

Job description

Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on working towards bringing families closer together and to creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance.

SUMMARY:

The role is directly responsible for the care and welfare of the animals in the Aquarium's Amazon gallery. The role also includes developing, managing, and maintaining department operations, protocols, and procedures. As such, the Amazon animal collection includes reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, invertebrates, and mammals in a free-range gallery.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensures the animal care and welfare practices meet all professional accreditation standards and guidelines and remain in compliance with all laws and regulations.
• Ensures adequate and properly trained team members are available to ensure good animal welfare, to maintain high-quality operations, and to ensure ongoing modernization of the institution.
• Ensures development and implementation of a program for people development that includes: a written training manual; educational methodology; and evaluation criteria for advancement.
• Ensures that all displays, presentations, and programs are applied in a manner that is consistent with the overall philosophy and mission of the Vancouver Aquarium.
• Ensures proactive engagement and collaboration with the veterinary team on all aspects of animal health.
• Works with the team on maintaining and improving the green vegetation in the gallery to ensure a conducive environment for the animals.
• Implements appropriate measures to ensure safety of animals, guests, and team members in the free-range gallery.
• Participates in the development of a collection management plan that clearly defines the sustainability of the collections through managed breeding programs; loans, exchanges or purchases from other zoological institutions.
• Works with Director of Animal Care to ensure development and implementation of capital projects with respect to animal care.
• Establishes and monitors compliance with best practices for housekeeping, general maintenance, and cleanliness of all animal facilities. This must be comprehensive and include public and behind the scenes areas such as food rooms, holding areas, encounter rooms, staff facilities etc.
• Develops, plans, and organizes large scale maintenance/refurbishment of habitats.
• Represents Vancouver Aquarium at conferences and with media.
• Works proactively and cooperatively with marketing department for promotion of the Vancouver Aquarium, the Amazon department, its activities, and team members.
• Ensures standardized, comprehensive, and accurate records for all the animals in the collection.
• Leads on-going performance evaluation of direct reports, including a formal annual review.
• Assists with the concept development and design of new animal exhibits; working with contractors during the construction process to ensure the health and safety of the animal collection.
• Any other projects assigned by the Director of Animal Care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Biology or equivalent (Zoology, etc.) preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years hands-on husbandry experience.
• Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience.
• Experience coaching, training and/or mentoring teams.
• Exceptional communication skills (Verbal & Written).
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Current diver certification and first aid certification are preferred.
• Experience working with terrestrial animals such as reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals preferred.
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent project management and time management skills, with the ability to keep on task with strategic items while managing day-to-day responsibilities.
• Strong customer service skills with both internal and external stakeholders.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Full-time, permanent
• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Exposure to animal bites, potential pathogens, and chemicals
• Requires standing and crouching for extended periods of time
• Must be able to lift at least 50lbs
• Required to work around potential water hazards
• Exposure to slippery conditions and uneven surfaces
• Required to work in extreme weather conditions

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive salary range of $107,00.00 to $140,000.00 per year
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan for eligible team members
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Company Discounts
• Fun, supportive work environment with a mission-driven team

The Vancouver Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Candidate applications are reviewed by hiring professionals, and Artificial Intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or select candidates. Accommodation is available at every stage of the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please contact the HR department.