Aquarist I-III

City of Albuquerque, NM; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Albuquerque invites qualified candidates to join the ABQ BioPark as Aquarist staff across I–III levels. Responsibilities include caring for diverse marine species, supporting curatorial and veterinary teams, and performing in-tank maintenance with SCUBA gear.

Applicants must meet education and experience requirements, possess valid NM driver’s license, and complete the BioPark Training and Certification program as applicable. This is a safety sensitive role with testing requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; two years of experience in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry or aquaculture.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and care for a variety of marine and aquatic species in the ABQ BioPark.
• Assist curatorial and veterinary staff as needed in daily tasks.
• Perform in-tank animal care and exhibit maintenance using SCUBA.

Skills

SCUBA diving

AZA experience

Aquarium husbandry

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in marine biology or aquaculture

Tools

None

Job description

Salary : $40,580.80 – $46,425.60 Annually
Location : Albuquerque, NM
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2700355
Department: Arts and Culture
Division: CS-BP Animal Ops
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Bargaining Unit: BL

Position Summary

Maintain and care for a variety of marine and aquatic species within the ABQ BioPark. Assist curatorial and veterinary staff as needed and perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility. Use SCUBA for in-tank animal care and exhibit maintenance.

These positions are part of the BioPark Training and Certification program

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

AQUARIST I ($19.51-$20.49/hr.)

High school diploma or GED; and Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• marine biology
• aquatic animal husbandry
• aquaculture

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.

AQUARIST II ($20.59-$21.62/hr.)

High school diploma or GED; and Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• marine biology
• biology
• aquatic animal husbandry
• aquaculture

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.

Must have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.

AQUARIST III ($22.27-$23.32/hr.)

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in marine biology, or aquaculture; and Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• marine biology
• biology
• aquatic animal husbandry
• aquaculture

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

Possession of an appropriate valid SCUBA diving certificate within (6) months from date of hire into position.

Must have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.

Working Conditions

Environmental

Indoor, outdoor and underwater environments; work with a variety of domestic, exotic, aquatic animals and animal waste; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; exposure to chemicals and pesticides, noise, dust, heat, cold and inclement weather conditions.

Physical

Ability to pass dive physical for SCUBA diving; basic eye-hand coordination; adequate manual dexterity; essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and occasional heavy, moderate, or light lifting.
Total Rewards. Total You.

The City of Albuquerque takes pride in offering our employees one of the most attractive Total Rewards packages in New Mexico. In addition to competitive salaries, the City provides benefit options for health, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, and much more. The City also has pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the state’s public retirement system (PERA), with the City paying up to 75 percent of the employee’s contribution. That’s higher than any other contribution rate in the state of New Mexico!

Paid holidays? Check

Paid parental leave? Check

Paid birthdays off? Check

Vacation and sick leave starting Day 1? Check and check

Our people matter and we prioritize physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. With resources such as onsite and mobile medical clinics, an employee assistance program that encourages work-life balance, and tuition assistance and professional development pathways, the City is committed to equipping our employees with tools to better their lives and grow their careers while serving their community.
01

Do you possess experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility?

• Yes
• No

02

Please identify your ability to possess a valid New Mexico driver’s license (attach a copy of your driver’s license). Select all that apply.

• Possess a valid New Mexico Driver’s License, or have the ability to obtain by date of hire (attach a copy of your Driver’s License)?
• Able to possess a valid New Mexico Driver’s License within ninety (90) days from date of hire?
• Do not possess and not able to obtain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License by date of hire or within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

03

Do you possess a Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science?

• Yes
• No

04

Select the highest level of successfully completed related education as identified by the minimum requirements (if applicable, attach supporting degree or transcripts).

• No High School Diploma
• High School Diploma or GED
• Non/degree accredited- Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Juris Doctorate
• Doctorate

05

Select the number of years of work experience you possess which relates to the minimum requirements, if applicable, add verifiable time in a temporary upgrade status and/or volunteer experience when selecting number of years.

• No experience
• 1 to less than 6 months
• 6 to less than 12 months
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 11 years
• 11 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 13 years
• 13 or more years

06

Have you completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Tagged as: Education .