Biologist

Adventure Aquarium; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits (Cigna)

401(k) with Profit Sharing

GROW U education programs

Vacation and personal time

Free admission and tickets

Employee discounts

Training and development

Job summary

Adventure Aquarium seeks a dedicated animal care professional to join the team. You will work closely with senior biologists and curatorial staff to perform daily husbandry, feed animals, maintain water quality, and support exhibit life support systems.

This role emphasizes animal health and delivering an outstanding visitor experience. You’ll join a collaborative team, with responsibilities ranging from daily care and record-keeping to public tours and educational outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; may be substituted with 3–4 years of full-time zoo/aquarium experience with knowledge of closed fish systems.
• 1–2 years of full-time animal care experience; 3–4 years if no degree.
• Flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.
• Ability to travel up to 2–4 weeks when needed.
• SCUBA training certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example, interact with guests and staff.
• Feed animals, maintain water quality, and administer treatments as directed.
• Maintain exhibit quality and cleanliness.
• Keep records for husbandry, enrichment, and water testing.
• Conduct collecting activities as needed (capture, transport, quarantine).
• Assist with exhibit life support system upgrades and maintenance.
• Respond to public/media inquiries and contribute to education programs.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in biology or related field

3-4 years zoo/aquarium experience in lieu of degree

Tools

SCUBA certification

Job description

As a key member of the animal care team, you will work closely with Senior Biologists and Curatorial staff to carry out daily husbandry routines and maintain a designated group of exhibits and holding tanks. This role is guided by two core priorities: ensuring the highest standards of animal health and delivering an exceptional visitor experience.

What you’ll do:

• Lead by example by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, selfless, forgiving, honest, and committed when interacting with one another and guests.
• Provide for the needs of all animals in assigned areas by doing regular daily feedings, maintaining water quality through the operation of individual life support systems, and administering treatments as directed by supervisors.
• Maintain exhibit quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities.
• Keep the work area clean and organized and report mechanical failures to supervisors in a timely way. Off exhibit, areas should be clean, neat, and well-organized.
• Assure appropriate records are kept on all husbandry, training, enrichment and water testing activities, including daily care, animal health, acquisition/disposition, and moralities.
• Conducts collecting activities when needed, including capture, transport, acclimation, and quarantine.
• Research and suggest upgrades, enhancements, and changes to exhibit systems to supervisors.
• At the direction of the supervisor, interacts with and responds to public/media requests for information. Participates in aquarium-related education, public relations, and membership programs, including facility tours and lectures.
• Help design and construct new exhibit life support systems.
• Cross-train with other staff within Husbandry and Animal Health Services.
• Comply with safety and security directives, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• This position has been identified as Safety Critical with authorized operator requirements.

What you’ll bring:

• 1-2 years (3-4 years without a degree) of full-time experience working with animals in a zoo or aquarium institution, with an emphasis on animal care and maintenance of exhibit and holding areas.
• Bachelor’s Degree in biology or a related field is preferred; may be substituted with 3-4 years of full-time experience at a zoo or aquarium with specific knowledge of closed fish systems.
• A proven track record of consistently high performance.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which will include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• A valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Ability to travel when necessary, usually not to exceed 2-4 weeks at a time.
• Ability to respond to emergencies on an on-call basis.
• A certification from a recognized S.C.U.B.A. training organization is preferred

Who You Are

You are someone who strives for excellence in all you do. You are friendly and communicate well with all levels of employees. You are excited about joining a company that operates as a team, all working together to achieve the same company goals.

What you’ll get:

• Salaried $49,000 a year.
• Comprehensive benefits plan through Cigna.
• 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan after 3 months of service
• Eligibility to participate in GROW U – our fully-funded and tuition assistance education programs.
• 2 weeks’ vacation, 1-week personal time, 1-week sick time, 8 paid holidays; all based on a full calendar year
• Free admission and 24 General Admission tickets annually, to be used by family and friends
• Complimentary tickets to local attractions when available
• 30% Discount at our Retail and Photo areas, as well as in-house food vendors
• Training and development

Special Requirements:

• Successful completion of pre-employment background and drug screening.
• Capable of performing strenuous and heavy physical labor.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods, climb stairs, bend, and stoop.
• Allergies related to animals or plants, which might interfere with the ability to work, must be controlled by medications or protective equipment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to safely perform the job.

Note: This position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially hazardous machinery, restraint devices, and toxic chemicals and drugs.Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required. (e.g., Goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns)

About us:

As a Herschend Family Entertainment property, Adventure Aquarium is in the business of creating memories worth repeating by greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and seeking constant improvement. Stewardship, guest satisfaction, and team member satisfaction are our core areas of focus. We aim to be a great place to work for great people by leading with patience, kindness, humility, respect, unselfishness, forgiveness, truthfulness, and trust. Together, we will create emotional connections that will last a lifetime!

Adventure Aquarium, A Herschend Family Entertainment Property, maintains a continuing policy of non-discrimination in employment. Herschend is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by law. Furthermore, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of non-discrimination shall include, but not be limited to, the following employment decisions and practices: recruiting, hiring, promotions, demotions or transfers, layoffs, recalls, terminations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation; selection for training, including apprenticeship; and recruitment or recruitment advertising.