Associate Curator - Pinniped

Georgia Aquarium; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Aquarium seeks an Associate Curator in Animal Training for Pinnipeds to lead show operations, train staff, and advance husbandry and enrichment programs. The role emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and cross-department collaboration to improve guest experiences and staff development.

Responsibilities include coordinating training goals, supervising show personnel, and contributing to annual budgets while maintaining high standards of animal care and program quality.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in biology or related field.
• Eight years of work experience in an AZA accredited institution with marine mammals.
• Extensive background in animal training.
• Experience in show performance and public programs preferred.
• Working knowledge of life support and water quality control.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Valid Georgia driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Valid passport or ability to obtain one.
• Proficiency with PC hardware and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Pinniped Show operations and animal training goals.
• Develop and implement training programs with staff leadership.
• Monitor day-to-day care and show-related activities.
• Assist in budgeting and expense monitoring for the Pinniped Show.
• Train staff and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to enhance guest experience.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

SCUBA certification

Public programs experience

Show performance experience

Budget oversight

Education

Four-year degree in biology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

PC hardware

Job description

Position Title

Associate Curator, Animal Training-Pinnipeds

Department

Zoological Operations

Classification

Exempt

Employee Type

ASM - Asst Mgr. FT Exempt

Direct Report

Curator, Animal Training - Pinnipeds

Position Summary

Coordinate operational activities related to pinniped show and animal program as directed by the Curator, Animal Training-Pinnipeds. Develops, implements, and oversees appropriate standard operating procedures; insures compliance with requirements of various professional associations and regulatory agencies; works toward further advancing pinniped husbandry, programming, and display; develops, maintains, and drives animal training and environmental enrichment programs; facilitates professional staff development; supervises Pinniped Show personnel, as well as elements of Pinniped Show operations. Works with assigned staff in developing and achieving animal care and training goals that promote the mission and vision of Georgia Aquarium and coincide with professional associations and accreditations. Works with other departments in the evaluation and development of enhanced guest experience, performance, interactive, and public relations opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Works with leadership of Animal Training, Pinnipeds to develop, institute, lead and facilitate animal training goals and standards.
• Works with fellow leaders and their respective teams on the development and implementation of dynamic animal training projects and programs that served to enhance animal care, animal management, guest experience, and Aquarium public relations.
• Monitors and directs day-to-day Pinniped Show related animal care and operations.
• Provides excellent care and wellbeing of all animals assigned to the Pinniped Show section.
• Assists the supervision of personnel matters within the Pinniped Show section of Zoological.
• Assigns and checks work, establishes schedules, sets deadlines, and delegates authority within the operational framework of the Pinniped Show section.
• Assists the setting of performance standards for staff.
• Assists the preparation of annual performance evaluations. Makes personnel related recommendations to Curator and Director, Animal Training-Pinniped Show.
• Trains Pinniped Show personnel in all aspects of their assigned tasks and conducts or arranges for training as necessary to carry out the Section’s objectives.
• Constantly evaluates and improves show performance, exhibit enhancements, behavioral management techniques, and animal enrichment procedures.
• Works with Curator in maintaining exhibits and related facilities and collections in a manner stimulating and factual to Georgia Aquarium guests.
• Cross trains with other zoological management to provide efficient supervisory coverage of other department sections when necessary.
• Assists senior zoological management with preparing the Pinniped Show component of the annual budget. Monitors expenditures to ensure budget compliance.
• Assists the acquisition, display, care, performance, and maintenance of all specimens required for the Pinniped Show section.
• Coordinates and supervises animal handling for medical care and transport.
• Assists the coordination of Pinniped Show team record keeping, filing, and diet planning.
• Assists the coordination of the development of Pinniped Show section animal care programs and protocols consistent with current industry standards for animal care and use.
• Ensures all Pinniped Show personnel are trained and equipped for their assigned tasks and conducts or arranges for training as necessary to carry out the section’s objectives.
• Work with the Zoological Operations management team to maintain the highest quality staff, programs, and exhibits, programs, and shows.
• Interface effectively with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards and promote guest experience.
• As needed, interact on behalf of the Georgia Aquarium with guests, media, general public, etc.
• Fosters working relationships with other institutions.
• Implements dive safety guidelines established by the dive safety officer.
• To perform other duties as workload necessitates.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in biology or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion GAI.
• Eight years of work experience in an AZA accredited institution, or equivalent, working with aquatic mammals in a variety of program (show, interaction, etc.), with demonstrated experience in the care, training, and management of marine mammals, and knowledge of marine mammal transport and regulatory requirements.
• Extensive background in animal training.
• Experience in show performance and public programs preferred.
• Working knowledge of life support operation and water quality control for maintaining marine mammals.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong team skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Valid State of Georgia driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one.
• Valid passport, or the ability to obtain one.
• Proficiency with Personal Computer (P.C.) hardware and contemporary software including Microsoft Office Products.
• SCUBA certification.
• Ability to pass departmental swim test, which includes, but is not limited to minimum requirements for treading water, breath holding, free diving and endurance.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 100 feet. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Elements of the position require employees to wear a wet suit for extended periods throughout the day. This position requires direct contact with raw seafood. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An employee must also have the ability to travel by car, boat and air as needed, physically use SCUBA equipment, conduct field work in the collection and research of animals, and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals.

Commitment

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission

Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision

To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.