Senior Aquarist

zooceanariumgroupllc; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

ZoOceanarium is seeking a skilled Aquarium Supervisor to oversee the day-to-day husbandry operations and lead the Aquatics Department. This role focuses on animal welfare, habitat maintenance, and staff mentorship while ensuring safety and high standards of care in a busy public aquarium.

The ideal candidate has three years+ experience in animal care, open water certification, and strong teamwork and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Three years+ experience in the animal care field.
• Open water certification is required.
• First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification are preferred but provided if needed.
• Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
• Proven aptitude for developing compelling habitats preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of animal husbandry, disease prevention and treatment, and breeding/rearing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day husbandry operations and supervise Aquatics staff.
• Maintain safety, courtesy, and guest experience in line with regulations.
• Coordinate life support systems and habitat maintenance.
• Develop and implement new habitats and educational opportunities to maximize revenue and guest experience.
• Maintain electronic records on animal health, water quality, and stock reports.
• Collaborate with guest experience and foundation teams to engage diverse audiences.

Skills

Animal care experience

Team leadership

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Project coordination

Education

Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience

Open water certification

First Aid/AED certification

Tools

MS Office (Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for helping facilitate and supervise the day‑to‑day husbandry operations in the Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include the care and wellbeing of all animals under the facility’s care; maintenance of all habitats; managing daily activities of team members, and mentoring team members.

Duties & Responsibilities

Preopening/Commissioning Phase

• Participate in the execution of animal acquisitions, introductions, and acclimations.
• Assist in the development and establishment of effective exhibits and holding systems, including the life support systems, aesthetic, and animal husbandry components.
• Assist in creating standard operating procedures for welfare, safety, animal care, programing, and guest interaction as well as all paperwork associated with the life sciences team.
• Participate in animal transfers and quarantine processes following veterinary and regulatory partners.
• Assist in the training and onboarding of new staff prior to opening.
• Assist in both short and long term planning and project execution.
• Assist with ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment.

Operational Phase

• Supervise staff within the Aquatics Department to ensure highest level of safety, courtesy, education, efficiency and operational readiness at all times.
• Manage activities to maintain positive representation to professional agencies, institutions and various committees.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards in accordance with local municipality, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Ensure animal care and habitats meet compliance of facility specific policies and procedures.
• Coordinate the maintenance and operation of life support systems and other technical systems.
• Proactively assist in the implementation of new habitats and educational opportunities in order to maximize revenues and guest experience.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic records on animal health, water quality, system maintenance, system checks, and stock reports.
• Monitor and identify the effectiveness of habitats, including comprehensive review and improvement of animal habitats and animal care standards.
• Monitor and identify animal health concerns, disease diagnosis and water quality concerns.
• Communicate to the Assistant Curator, General Curator, veterinary and water quality staff any animal health concerns to develop and implement a care and treatment plan.
• Manage and maintain animal behaviors in line with veterinary health check requirements.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policy and procedure documents.
• Assist in the preparation of periodic reports for all Life Sciences Department activities.
• In collaboration with Guest Experience Department and the Aquarium Foundation, ensure habitats and programs engage, educate and entertain diverse audiences.
• Work closely with the Aquarium Foundation to ensure volunteers and educators provide exemplary guest service and engagement.
• Perform exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving as required.
• Provide leadership in the absence of the Assistant Curator and General Curator.
• Motivate and inspire team members to perform at their very best through role modeling, providing feedback, rewarding and recognizing, respecting and frequent communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills, & Qualification

• Three years + experience in the animal care field required.
• Open water certification required.
• First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification are preferred but will be provided if needed.
• Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
• Proven aptitude for developing compelling habitats preferred.
• Experienced animal biologist/aquarist with a strong background in fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals required.
• Strong working knowledge of animal husbandry, disease prevention and treatment, and breeding/rearing techniques.
• Working knowledge of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment.
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements, and environmental needs of a diverse animal collection.
• Experience in the care of flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting.
• Experience working with relevant authorities and accrediting associations.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must have strong teamwork, interpersonal, and organizational skills conducive to a positive work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills.
• Creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge.
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas

Abilities

• Requires walking/ standing for long periods of time, bending and crouching, climbing, working in small/tight spaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• May require driving aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• Requires the ability to perform the physical, visual and hearing requirements in the working conditions above.
• May require immunizations including TB testing and rabies.

Other

• Upon employment all team members are required to comply with the standards, rules and regulations, which may be established by the Company and updated from time-to-time. Team members who violate property rules or have irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• The leisure business functions seven days a week. Due to the seasonal nature of the industry, team members may be required to work varying schedules, weekends, holidays and overtime to reflect the business needs of the property. Team members may also be required to attend group and/or department meetings in addition to the work shift as necessary.
• This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that a team member in this position may be asked to perform.

Salary

• $21 per hour

ZoOceanarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives each team member brings to our organization.