Animal Care Specialist

Shedd Aquarium; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision and Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

401(k)

Parking Subsidies

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness program

Employee Discounts

Tickets

Job summary

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL seeks an Animal Care Specialist to join the Oceanarium Team. This on-site, full-time role supports cetaceans, penguins, otters, sea lions, and ambassadors, learning operant conditioning and animal care fundamentals while engaging visitors.

The ideal candidate has 1+ year of animal care experience, a bachelor’s in zoology or related field preferred, and open water diving certification or ability to obtain within a year. Shift coverage includes nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences or related field preferred.
• 1+ year of animal care experience required or preferred.
• Experience with Cetaceans, Penguins and Otters, Sea lions, and Animal Ambassadors is a plus.
• Open water diving certification, or ability to obtain within one year.

Responsibilities

• Assist in ensuring the health and well-being of the animal collection.
• Maintain a clean and healthy environment for animals, staff, and guests.
• Prepare diets for all animals, including handling fish, vitamin administration, and heavy lifting.
• Interact with guests and provide educational experiences about the animals.
• Record observations and maintain detailed animal records.
• Attend regularly scheduled department meetings and animal sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal care

Teamwork

Communication

Swim ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology

Job description

TITLE: Animal Care Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Oceanarium Team

REPORTS TO: Director of Animal Care & Behavioral Training

STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt

PAY RATE:$23.00 - $26.00/hour

LOCATION: Chicago - Onsite Required

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The AnimalCare Specialistis responsible forassistinginthe overallcare of animalsintheOceanariumdepartment.The department consists of teams that care for Cetaceans, Penguins and Otters, Sea lions, and Animal Ambassadors.The Animal Care Specialist is a supportive role that focuses on learning the skill set for caring for animals,while also providing an educational experience for the visitor.While in this role, staff will learnabout the animals under their care andthebasic science of operant conditioning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision,mission, and values.
• Assistin ensuring the health and well-being of the animal collection
• Demonstrates a commitment to good relations with fellow staff members, visitors, volunteers, community leaders, and contractors by promoting positive attitudes, goodwill, cooperation, and providinghigh standardsof service
• Maintain a clean and healthy environment for the animals, staff, and aquarium guests.
• Clean the kitchens, utensils, floors, windows, pools, offices, laundry, and any other area or itemutilizedin theOceanariumdepartment.
• Prepare diets for all the animals,whichincludeshandling fish,thawing, sorting, weighing, cutting, formula preparation, vitamin administration, heavy lifting, and frequent exposure to cold temperatures.
• Interact withguests dailyby answering guest questions about the animals and the facility.
• Perform various tasks including evening functions, special employee trainingsand seminars, specialmaintenanceor construction projects.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings for intra-departmental communication, which include meetings before each animal session or presentation, animal group meetings, staff meetings, andadditionalmeetings,as needed.
• Maintain detailed records of all animal interactions and observations, which include diet, vitamins, medication, behavioral notes, medical notes, animal weights, physical observations, graphs, temperatures, and any other recordsdeemedimportant to the care of the animals, the facility, or daily staff operation.
• Engage in regular interactions with some of the animals under the guidance and direction of experienced staff, including training sessions,physical exams, public presentations,and play sessions.
• Embrace a flexible work schedule that includesnights,weekends,holidays, and non-standardized hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education:

ABachelor’sdegree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences, or a related area is preferred. (Equivalent experience will be considered instead of a degree)

Experience:

• 1+ year of animal experience, which caninclude volunteering, an internship,or other animal care experience.
• Experiencewith Cetaceans, Penguins and Otters, Sea lions, and Animal Ambassadors is a plus.

Designations/Certifications:

• Open water diving certification, or the ability to obtain certification within oneyear.

Other Skills and Characteristics:

• Competent swimmer.
• Ability to work well with othersin adiverseteam environment and communicateproficiently with colleagues and guests.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to receive andapplyfeedback.
• Demonstrates commitment to growth.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Work in an environment with daily exposure tocoldsalt water.
• Daily liftingin excess of40 pounds,periodiclifting upto50 pounds.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leaveand Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations:

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [e-mail].

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.