Senior Rehabilitation Biologist

National Aquarium; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 59,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four weeks PTO

Six floating holidays

Health insurance after 30 days

401(k) employer match

Job summary

The National Aquarium in Baltimore seeks a Senior Rehabilitation Biologist to lead complex animal husbandry and welfare within the Animal Rescue department, with a focus on stranding response and sea turtle rehabilitation.

Responsibilities include habitat design, medical care, field work, incident response, and cross-department collaboration with NOAA/USFWS. Mentoring staff and volunteers is included, with occasional on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aquatic sciences or related field.
• Minimum of three years of professional rehabilitation/stranding experience.
• Must be able to obtain certification for pallet jack/overhead crane operation.
• Flexible schedule including weekends/holidays/evenings; valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily husbandry and medical treatment per protocols; maintain habitats and quarantine facilities.
• Lead field work, triage, transport of animals, and incident response.
• Supervise, train and mentor staff and volunteers in husbandry, field techniques, and safety.
• Provide 24-hour Stranding Hotline coverage and exceptional customer service.
• Collaborate with Animal Health and external agencies (NOAA & USFWS) on regional responses.

Skills

Wildlife handling

Field work

Mentoring/leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aquatic sciences

Tools

MS Office

Zoom

Adobe

Aquarium software (proprietary)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Rehabilitation Biologist

Posting Date: August 2026

Job Department: Animal Rescue

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site

Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202/6405 Seabay Drive, Bldg #2600, Ocean City, MD 21842

JOB SUMMARY

The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Rehabilitation Biologist responsible for executing complex, professional work for all aspects of animal husbandry and welfare within the Animal Rescue department, including stranding response and rehabilitation of sea turtles. Specifically, this includes the design, set-up, care and maintenance of habitats, disease recognition and medical treatment, life support system construction and operation, field work, species identification and knowledge, and incident response. In addition to the Senior Rehabilitation Biologist’s scheduled duties, the incumbent is expected to use independent judgment and critical thinking to problem solve, keeping human and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Responsible for being able to lead special projects and other investigations aimed at furthering the quality of animal care and welfare. The Senior Rehabilitation Biologist position may also be responsible to serve as the main point of contact for the area(s) to which they are assigned, or as a liaison cross-departmentally within the Aquarium or with external agencies (NOAA & USFWS). May supervise, train and mentor paid husbandry staff and volunteers.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Performs general daily husbandry and medical treatment functions including the maintenance of habitats and quarantine facilities at a high level of quality as defined in our protocols; does so without direct supervision.
• Performs the duties and maintains the skills of a Rehabilitation Biologist.
• Directly responsible for advanced husbandry duties such as animal quarantine protocols, habitat design, leading field work, record keeping, acquisition/disposition, and leading triage and transport of animals.
• May supervise, train and mentor paid husbandry staff and volunteers in the development of job and leadership skills relating to general husbandry and medical functions, habitat design, construction and maintenance, project management, and field techniques.
• Assumes responsibility for the implementation of daily operations, emergency response, and effective teamwork within their husbandry area, as scheduled.
• As scheduled, provide 24-hour coverage of Stranding Hotline, and provide exemplary customer service.
• Work cooperatively with Animal Health to manage and execute the Aquarium’s regional response to live-stranded sea turtles according to established protocols.
• Contributes to the development or refinement of policies and procedures relating to essential functions of the assigned section, as directed. Policies and procedures may cross more than one department/ assigned section.
• Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and Incident Action Plans (IAP’s) related to stranding response, manage events under the Incident Command System, and ensure staff and animal safety.
• Provides operational and logistical support to stranding events, and as requested by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
• Maintain life support systems.
• Develop and manage research goals for sea turtles in rehabilitation.
• Collaborate with Director on Animal Rescue Protocols to review and update.
• Must have specialized knowledge about sea turtle and/or marine mammal biology and have an affinity for wild animals, including a reasonable comfort level around large and/or aggressive animals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to set up laboratory and diagnostic testing, animal medical treatment methods, and pharmacology and drug dosing as prescribed by veterinarian(s); must be familiar with quarantine protocols.
• Familiarity with computers is necessary, including MS Office software (Word/Excel/Teams), Zoom, and Adobe; ability to learn & effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software.
• Expected to act as a role model within and beyond the division; must professionally demonstrate good judgment and communication skills through interpersonal effectiveness and fostering a learning culture.
• Promote teamwork and a positive and productive work environment.
• Accountable to use independent judgment and critical thinking to problem solve, keeping human safety and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Innovation may be required to temporarily modify existing policies and procedures. Problems to solve are typically within the assigned section.
• Willingness and ability to mentor new staff, volunteers, and interns while exhibiting the same or higher levels of technical skill/knowledge.
• Stays abreast of current trends in the related field to ensure that National Aquarium programs, policies, and protocols continue to evolve and improve.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in aquatic sciences, environmental or related science or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of previous professional work experience with rehabilitation, and or stranding response organization with preference to those with experience with both pinnipeds and sea turtles.
• Ability to be certified in the operation of a electric pallet jack/stacker and overhead crane.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and occasional evenings.
• Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
• Ability to climb ladders, lift and carry 50 lbs, and physically restrain large, wild animals.

Preferred

• Previous experience mentoring or training staff, interns or volunteers.
• Veterinary Technician experience or license.
• CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification
• 24hr HAZWOPER Certification.
• Familiarity with electronic animal record keeping software systems (i.e. Tracks, ZIMS, etc.)
• Previous experience responding to hotline calls and field stranding response.
• Ability to pass a Department of Transportation medical exam.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($58,660-71,399 annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands‑on field conservation work.The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.