Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) Assistant

Vancouver Aquarium Careers; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a passionate Marine Mammal Rescue Assistant to join their dedicated team. This role involves hands-on care for marine mammals, assisting with medical treatments, and supporting research projects. You'll be part of a dynamic environment focused on marine conservation, where your contributions will directly impact the rehabilitation of injured wildlife. If you have a love for marine life and the skills to thrive in a challenging setting, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field preferred.
• Experience with marine mammals is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with care and feeding of marine mammals and laboratory procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and assist in data collection.
• Support the training and supervision of volunteers.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Team player

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Education

Post-secondary education in a related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Company Overview

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.

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) is a dedicated off-site facility located in downtown Vancouver that focuses on the rehabilitation of ill, injured, and abandoned marine mammals rescued along the British Columbia coastline.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Assistant Manager, the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistant supports the RVT’s and animal care staff with the collection and transport of marine mammals, assists with food preparation and animal feeding, helps with medical treatments, maintains daily records, and ensures the cleaning and upkeep of animal enclosures and the rehabilitation center. The role also involves assisting with data collection, creating accurate patient e-files, and contributing to research projects. Additionally, this position includes supporting the supervision and training of volunteers.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Husbandry and Care Support:

• Assist with the care and feeding of marine mammals and laboratory procedures.
• Aid in sample collection, physical exams, medication administration, fluid therapy, and wound care.
• Provide support to veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists by offering general animal observations and executing treatment protocols.
• Participate in research projects, coordinating sample and data collection.
• Manage and maintain accurate records, including data entry, reports, and phone logs.
• Assist in the supervision and training of volunteers.
• Collaborate with experienced staff to create suitable pool combinations and animal pairings.
• Support the preparation of animals for release into the wild, including the application of external flipper tags and microchips.
• Provide off-site assessments of distressed marine mammals to determine follow-up actions and transport animals as needed.
• Assist in the release of rehabilitated animals back into the wild.

Daily Maintenance & Administration:

• Provide educational information to the public as required.
• Maintain administrative records, including data entry, reports, and phone logs.
• Uphold organizational safety standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary education in a related field preferred.
• Applicants with marine mammal experience is preferred; preference will be given to applicants who have successfully completed the Animal Husbandry practicum or are a current VAMMR Animal Care volunteer.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint.

Skills:

• Ability to lift up to 20kg.
• Strong attention to detail in record-keeping.
• Capable of working efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, able to think quickly under pressure.
• Enthusiastic team player with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities.
• Demonstrates the company’s values and code of conduct.
• Excellent project and time management skills.

This role requires a passion for marine mammal conservation and a commitment to providing exceptional care in a dynamic and challenging environment.

SALARY RANGE: $19 - $25 PER HOUR