Aquarist

Merlin Entertainments Group; London; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an Aquarist to deliver exceptional experiences while caring for a diverse range of aquatic and reptilian creatures. This role requires maintaining life support systems, ensuring excellent animal welfare, and contributes to exciting exhibit developments. Candidates should be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and possess strong knowledge in animal husbandry.

Benefits

28 days holiday including bank holidays

‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Pass – 6 per year

20 free tickets for Merlin Attractions

Company bonus

Private pension scheme

40% discount off LEGO

25% discount in retail shops and restaurants

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a robust knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry.
• Experience with reptiles and amphibians is essential.
• PADI Rescue Diver certification, or equivalent, is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Maintain life support systems and cleanliness of displays.
• Ensure optimal diets and feed plans for creatures.
• Support new exhibit developments and efficient management of animal husbandry.

Skills

Knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry

Understanding of animal behaviour

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Time management skills

Organisational skills

Enthusiasm to learn

Education

Degree in a relevant biological science

Minimum of two years of paid relevant experience

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

Location: Chessington World of Adventures Resort Leatherhead Road Chessington Surrey KT9 2NE

In this role you will ensure we are delivering amazing, immersive, safe experiences for our guests each day, with a positive team spirit, initiative, innovation, and high standards. Working with the curator, you will be part of the team of Aquarists that looks after our SEALIFE and the reptile section. Together with the team, you will undertake the vital day to day tasks involved in caring for over a thousand amazing creatures.

You’ll be responsible for the maintenance of the life support systems along with the cleanliness and presentation of our displays, record keeping, tank and enclosure design, aqua scaping, and theming, always striving to ensure it is the best it can be. You will ensure suitable diets and feed plans are in place and delivered for our creatures, as well as continuing to develop our excellent animal welfare across the collection.

In addition to this, you will support exciting new exhibit developments, with a proactive focus on the correct care and attention to the quarantine and transportation processes, and implementation of policies and procedures that maximise the efficiency of the management of animal husbandry and innovation throughout the resort.

Qualifications & Experience

• A dynamic, confident, self-motivated individual who supports our conservation and education goals.
• Have robust knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry, and a good level of understanding of animal behaviour
• Experience and knowledge of reptiles and amphibian’s husbandry is essential
• A degree in a relevant biological science is advantageous, or a minimum of two years of paid relevant experience in public aquaria, as equivalent
• Experience as a diver in an aquarium setting and trained to a level PADI Rescue Diver, or equivalent as laid down by the HSE, is advantageous
• Good presentation skills, in addition to the ability and passion to interact with the public
• Strong communication and computer skills are required, as are efficient time management and organisational skills
• Enthusiasm to learn and develop in the role

Benefits

• An annual salary of £26,000
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes - 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
• Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
• Company bonus
• Private pension scheme
• 40% discount online off LEGO
• 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Plus, many more…

Pay Range

GBP £26,000.00/Yr.