Senior Trainer, Pinniped

Georgia Aquarium; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta seeks a Senior Trainer for Pinnipeds to lead daily care, training, and public show performances. You will mentor staff, develop enrichment, and ensure animal welfare while delivering engaging guest experiences.

The role requires a four-year biology degree and at least four years of marine mammal training, with experience in shows and AZA/AMMPA environments preferred. Strong teamwork, communication, and SCUBA certification are essential.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in biology or related field required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum four years of aquatic animal husbandry and training with marine mammals.
• Experience with show performances and public programs preferred.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential.
• SCUBA certification required; ability to pass swim tests.
• Valid Georgia driver’s license and ability to obtain passport.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily care and behavioral conditioning of pinnipeds under supervision.
• Coordinate daily and long-term training goals, enrichment, and staff development.
• Develop and implement training projects to enhance animal care and guest experience.
• Ensure health, welfare, and safety of the pinniped collection.
• Lead shows and public programs, mentoring junior staff and volunteers.
• Maintain records, equipment sanitation, and environmental enrichment efforts.
• Collaborate with management on casting for shows and events.
• Follow SOPs for animal care, diet, and facility maintenance.

Skills

Animal training

Team leadership

Public show performance

Communication

SCUBA certification

Driver’s license

Passport

MS Office

Life support & water quality

Education

Four-year degree in biology or related field

Job description

Position Title: Senior Trainer - Pinnipeds

Department: Sea Lion Training

Classification: Non-Exempt/ Full Time

Employee Type: STN - Sr Team Spec FT Non-exempt

Direct Report: Associate Curator, Animal Training - Pinnipeds

Position Summary:

Under the direction of section supervisors, this position plays leadership role in the execution and management of animal training, care, handling, and performance of pinnipeds utilized for Georgia Aquarium’s pinniped show and other programs as applicable. Primary objectives and responsibilities are to assist the management team with the development and implementation of daily shows, guest interaction programs, environmental enrichment programs, and staff development. Participates in daily show performances and animal sessions to facilitate public programming with pinnipeds. Executes daily routine operations in accordance with section’s standard operating procedures. Mentors junior staff in their respective job responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Assists the management team in overseeing all aspects of daily care and behavioral conditioning of pinnipeds.
• Under direction of section supervisors, coordinates the execution of daily and long-term animal training goals, including enrichment, new learning, show quality, and staff development.
• Assists section supervisors with the development and implementation of dynamic animal training projects and programs that serve to enhance animal care, animal management, guest experience, and Aquarium public relations.
• Ensures the daily health, care, and welfare of the pinniped collection.
• Trains pinniped collection in accordance with Georgia Aquarium's animal training protocols. Actively participates in the progression of animal training goals and standards. Develops behavior to facilitate show performances, public programs, animal management and care.
• Mentors junior staff on animal training, show performance, animal care, environmental enrichment, animal handling and general aquarium operations. Oversees and facilitates the developmental goals of volunteers, interns, Apprentice Trainers, Assistant Trainers, and Trainers.
• Executes daily pinniped show performances. Maintains a superior level of showmanship while performing primary/key roles in daily shows.
• Interacts with guests and crew members in a positive and professional manner.
• Facilitates and maintains comprehensive pinniped environmental enrichment program. Mentors junior staff on the development of novel environmental enrichment devices and activities.
• Coordinates with management to orchestrate the casting of trainer/animal roles for daily shows, guest interaction programs, and other special events and programs as appropriate.
• Performs the execution of complex behaviors as integral part of Georgia Aquarium’s pinniped show.
• Follows established standard operating procedures for animal care, food preparation, and clean up, including proper maintenance and sterilization of equipment. Assists in maintaining the highest standards in area cleanliness, diet preparation, record keeping, and animal observations.
• Ensures pinniped facilities are maintained in compliance with industry and government standards in the areas of cleanliness/sanitation, diet preparation, record keeping and general maintenance.
• Assists management team in coordination of animal handling for medical care and transport.
• Assists management and maintenance of records management systems for animal inventory, care, training, and enrichment.
• Inputs data and information into records management systems for animal inventory, care, training, and enrichment.
• Executes underwater maintenance and cleaning of habitats.
• Maintains SCUBA certification. Functions as a diver, dive tender, standby diver (TSBD), and designated person in charge (DPIC) during underwater activities carried out by Georgia Aquarium.
• Follows dive safety guidelines established by the dive safety officer.
• Fosters good relations with visitors, volunteers, community leaders, contractors, and fellow staff members by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and providing high standards of service.
• Complies with all Georgia Aquarium policies, procedures, and programs.
• As needed, interact on behalf of the Georgia Aquarium with guests, media, general public, etc.
• To perform other duties as workload necessitates, regardless of time of day or location.

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.
• Minimum four years of aquatic animal husbandry and training working with marine mammals, experience in an AZA/AMMPA accredited institution, or equivalent, with a proven track record of team oriented and professional performance.
• 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.
• 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.