Aquarist I - Jellies

The Maritime Aquarium; Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 24,014 - 34,202; Full time

Job summary

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is hiring an Aquarist responsible for the care of living specimens and maintaining their life support systems. The role includes providing professional animal care, conducting public presentations, and ensuring the health of exhibits.

Ideal candidates hold a degree in marine biology or a related field, possess strong animal husbandry skills, and demonstrate the ability to work weekends and holidays. This non-exempt position offers an hourly pay of $21.13 and the opportunity to impact aquatic education.

Qualifications

• Prefer a four-year degree in marine biology, biology, zoology, or psychology.
• Minimum six months’ experience in animal care preferred.
• Basic knowledge of animal husbandry and life support systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for octopus exhibits and jellies.
• Perform water quality analysis and make adjustments.
• Deliver public presentations and conduct welfare assessments.

Skills

Animal care

Water quality testing

Public presentations

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in marine biology or related field

Two-year degree with relevant experience

Tools

Lifesupport systems

Water testing equipment

Job description

Position Overview

The Aquarist at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is responsible for living specimens and maintaining their life support systems. This is a non‑exempt role, hourly pay of $21.13.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide care for octopus exhibits and jellies, including jelly culturing
• Culture of live foods for jellies and other aquarium animals
• Provide daily animal care, including diet prep and feeding and exhibit cleaning
• Maintain exhibits and back‑of‑house areas and life support systems, including cleaning, back‑washing, and water changes, etc.
• Evaluate animal health, diets, appetite and behavior, and report findings to manager
• Administer medication to animals as directed by veterinarians
• Perform water quality analysis, make adjustments, follow up with subsequent testing
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa
• Provide shadowing opportunities for aquarists, interns, and volunteers in routine animal care, safety procedures, and aquarium operation as needed
• Participate in collecting trips, animal transports, and procedural tasks, following legal regulations and ethical best practices
• Enter and update animal records in TRACKs; assist in research projects as necessary
• Uphold AZA and USDA standards in daily work
• Deliver public presentations
• Work to desensitize animals for program and training and administer enrichment
• Participate in public training demonstrations and/or keeper talks
• Conduct welfare assessments and report findings
• Interact positively and professionally with guests, animal care and veterinary staff, and volunteers, and report issues to supervisor and act in a professional manner
• Follow all safety protocols and understand their role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required
• Maintain a variety of collecting equipment
• This position will require the individual to work weekends and holidays, assist with after‑hours emergencies, and to travel for extended periods of time to perform collecting and transport duties
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Prefer four‑year degree (B.S. or B.A.) in marine biology, biology, zoology, psychology or related field
• A two‑year degree (A.S./A.A.S.) in a relevant field plus a minimum of two years’ experience in a public zoo or aquarium husbandry/operations position may be substituted for formal education
• Minimum six months’ experience in animal care (may be any combination of paid work, internships, or volunteer service) preferred
• Basic knowledge of animal husbandry, behavior, and life support systems (LSS)
• General knowledge of water quality testing, medical dosing, and lab equipment
• Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal
• Ability to lift 60 pounds
• Ability to negotiate stairs, climb high obstacles and maneuver easily in exhibit and support areas
• Able to negotiate various field conditions
• Ability to work standing up for extended periods of time
• Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record
• SCUBA certification preferred
• Able to work weekends and holidays

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.