Exhibits Technician III (Assistant Curator)

City of Virginia Beach; Berlin; On-site; EUR 44,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Aquarium seeks a Fishes, Herpetology, and Invertebrates Assistant Curator (Exhibits Technician III). This role focuses on the safe management of the Aquarium's animal populations and leads a team of section staff, divers, volunteers, and interns to support mission delivery.

The position requires extensive experience with diverse aquatic species, SCUBA certification, and the ability to train staff; you will develop SOPs, design exhibits, and help enhance guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Seven years of combined education/experience in advanced husbandry of diverse aquatic species.
• Experience leading and coordinating animal procedures and supervising husbandry staff.
• Current Open Water SCUBA certification from a recognized agency.
• Experience with exhibit maintenance and life support systems.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff, divers, volunteers, and interns to ensure animal welfare.
• Lead advanced husbandry procedures including physical examinations.
• Conduct emergency response drills for dangerous animal situations.
• Develop SOPs and collection plans with senior curatorial and veterinary teams.
• Repair and design exhibits, maintain life support systems, and assist with cost analysis.
• Stay current with animal care techniques and participate in AZA/TAG/SSP groups.
• Support guest experience through visitor engagement and enhancement projects.

Skills

Advanced husbandry

Staff supervision

Lead/coordinate procedures

SCUBA certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/marine science or related field

Job description

Department

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM

Compensation Grade

G22

Compensation Range & Starting Salary

Pay Range: $49,504.00 - $77,147.20

Starting Salary: $49,504.00 (minimum of the pay range)

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime)

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

About Us

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications

The Virginia Aquarium seeks a Fishes, Herpetology, and Invertebrates Assistant Curator (Exhibits Technician III).Through direct involvement, this position places emphasis on the safe management of the Virginia Aquarium’s population of animals, and the animal care staff who are entrusted with their care while supporting the mission of the Virginia Aquarium and the City of Virginia Beach. The population of species includes large elasmobranchs, teleosts, invertebrates, crocodilians, monitor lizards, venomous and non-venomous snakes, fishes, invertebrates (including jellies), and a variety of amphibians.

The selected candidate must have proven experience with these types of animals, and the ability to train and supervise staff to safely work with these species.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supervise a team of section staff, divers, volunteers, and interns to ensure the welfare of live animal populations and management of assigned areas
• Lead and coordinate advanced husbandry procedures such as physical examinations with animals in the collection (some potentially dangerous)
• Conduct emergency response training and drills in the event of a dangerous animal escape or injury
• Work closely with senior curatorial staff and veterinary team to develop SOPs and collection plans
• Conduct repairs, design and build new exhibits, maintain life support systems, and assist with cost analysis of relevant exhibits
• Remain abreast of the latest animal care techniques for these unique species and seek opportunities to become involved with groups or organizations such as AZA, TAG or SSP groups where possible
• Support the guest experience by participating in visitor enhancement development and actively seek out guest engagement opportunities

Successful candidates will have

• Four (4) years of full-time equivalent advanced husbandry experience with cnidarians (including jellies and corals), crustaceans, elasmobranchs, teleosts, and cephalopods in a public aquarium or similar facility
• Four (4) years of full-time equivalent experience (may be concurrent) with marine and freshwater life support system maintenance and repair in a public aquarium or similar facility; specific preference will be given to mixed taxa exhibits
• Two (2) years of experience leading and coordinating animal procedures
• Experience supervising, coaching, and managing husbandry staff including conducting performance evaluations and providing feedback
• Four (4) years of exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving experience, including leading dives performed in a public aquarium or similar facility
• Current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency

Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, marine biology, marine science, zoology, aquarium science, aquaculture, or related field
• Experience with animal acquisitions and dispositions
• Experience researching and procuring aquarium and animal products
• Operating/working knowledge of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and/or Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) current standards, guidelines, and programs
• Operating/working knowledge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ current guidelines and standards

Work Schedule

40 hours/week between 7AM-6PM including weekends, rotating holidays and occasional evenings for special events.

The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, and holiday and paid leave.

Additional Requirements

• DMV Transcript: Yes
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: No
• Physical: Yes
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

This position is being advertised as a pool and will remain open until a pool of qualified applicants has been established.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to seven (7) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with positions such as aquarist, exhibits technician, biologist, or animal keeper, assistant curator, or curator in a similar facility or program. Individual positions will have specific requirements regarding subject expertise, skills, and training; these will be noted on job requisition at time opening is advertised. Must possess and maintain at all times current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency. Must have a current and valid driver’s license. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require an incumbent to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel-toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing and annual exams. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Successful completion of pre-employment physical.

Skills

Animal Care, Animal Health Care, Animal Welfare, Aquariums, Employee Supervision, Ensure Compliance, Safety Protocols, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Supervision

Working Conditions

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P8647.pdf

Official Job Descriptions

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution

All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace

The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.