Reptile Aquarist

The Maritime Aquarium; Norwalk (CT); On-site; Full time

Job summary

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is seeking a dedicated Reptile Aquarist responsible for the care and maintenance of various species and life support systems. This role includes public interaction through presentations, animal handling, and health management duties. Ideal candidates will have a degree in biological sciences and experience in animal care.

Qualifications

• Prefer four-year degree in marine biology or related field.
• Experience in public speaking with ambassador animals.
• Knowledge of exotic animal care including invertebrates and fish.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all reptile and related aquariums/terrariums.
• Provide disease recognition and administer treatments.
• Participate in daily animal presentations.

Skills

Public speaking

Animal care

Water quality testing

Education

Four-year degree in marine biology, biology, zoology or related field

Two-year degree in a relevant field plus two years' experience

Job description

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. Formore than35years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut,and 50 miles from New York City,the Aquarium historically hosts nearly 500,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. Altogether, the Aquarium ishome toover 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits.A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 54,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.It is an active participant in the local and regional community.The strength of the Aquarium is its60full-time staff,andpart-timeand seasonalstaff,in addition tovolunteers who contribute over 19,000 hours annually.

Position Overview:

The Reptile Aquarist is responsible for living specimens and life support systems required for their maintenance. The salary is $21.13/hour.

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintains all reptile, bird and ambassador aquariums/terrariums and related life support systems.
• Provides disease recognition, and administers treatment for all specimens.
• Performs water quality analysis.
• Assists with quarantining new animals.
• Participates in daily animal presentations, involving handling a variety of animals and speaking to the public on a microphone.
• Participates in the collection of animals from Long Island Sound and other locations for display in Aquarium tanks.
• Training and conditioning animals, diet prep.
• Documents and communicates observations.
• This position will require the individual to work weekends and holidays, and to travel for extended periods of time for outreach or to perform collecting duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Prefer four-year degree in marine biology, biology, zoology or related field OR
• 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.
• Previous experience with public speaking, preferably while working with ambassador animals.
• Basic knowledge of exotic animal care, including but not limited to: Insects and aquatic invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish.
• Basic knowledge of the operation and maintenance of terrestrial and aquatic life support systems, including experience with water quality testing.
• General knowledge of laboratory equipment, operating procedures and PPE.
• Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal.
• Able to lift a minimum of 60 pounds.
• Able to negotiate stairs, climb high obstacles and maneuver easily in behind-the-scenes areas.
• Able to negotiate various field conditions.
• Able to work standing up for extended periods of time.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• SCUBA certification and collection experience 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.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Resume/CV *

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

How many years of relevant paid experience do you have? * Select...

What is your most recent education level? * Select...

Have you worked or volunteered at TMA in the past? * Select...

Are you authorized to work in the US without visa sponsorship? * Select...

What days are you available to work? *

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

What are your salary requirements? *

I understand that consideration for employment is conditioned upon favorable results of background and reference checks. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. will thoroughly investigate my work and personal history and verify all data given on this application and related papers and in interviews. I authorize all individuals, schools, firms named, except my current employer if so noted, to provide any information requested about me, and I release them and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. from any liability resulting from the verification process.I understand that certain positions require chemical screening after an offer has been made as a condition of employment.I certify that all of the statements contained herein and, on any resume, submitted are true and understand that any misrepresentation, falsification or willful omission shall be sufficient cause for dismissal or refusal of employment. * Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in The Maritime Aquarium’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.