Animal Care Manager - Children's Aquarium Dallas

ZOOCEANARIUM GROUP LLC•Dallas, TX

8d•$55,000 - $62,000

About The Position

This position is responsible for leading and managing the Life Sciences Department, including day-to-day husbandry operations, Life Support System (LSS) oversight, and Aquarist staff within the Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness across all habitats and programs. This role provides strategic leadership for the care, wellbeing, procurement, and management of all animals under the facility’s care. The Animal Care Manager is also responsible for fostering a collaborative, guest-focused culture by coaching and developing staff, supporting cross-departmental partnerships, and actively promoting education and conservation through guest engagement, outreach, and public programming. Additional responsibilities include habitat maintenance oversight, LSS coordination, training and professional development of staff, enrichment and behavioral program development, and serving as Manager on Duty (MOD) when assigned.

Requirements

Five years + experience with care of saltwater aquariums in a public or commercial setting
One year + in a similar management role required.
PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent required.
First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification required.
Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
Experienced animal biologist/aquarist with a strong background in fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals required.
Experience in the care of flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting.
Experience working with relevant authorities and accrediting associations.
Competency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, HCM software.
Experience managing large teams required.
Exceptional leadership skills and proven experience.
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.
Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds
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.

Nice To Haves

Proven aptitude for developing compelling habitats preferred.
Experience managing departmental budgets preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for the Life Sciences Department to achieve facility objectives and key performance indicators.
Manage, support, and supervise Life Sciences staff to ensure the highest standards of safety, professionalism, education, efficiency, and operational readiness.
Foster a positive, collaborative team culture through active coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
Create and implement structured training programs and clear performance expectations for all animal care staff.
Conduct regular check-ins, coaching sessions, and performance evaluations in a timely, fair, and constructive manner.
Model a visible, hands-on leadership style and lead by example in daily operations.
Oversee the care, wellbeing, procurement, and management of all animals under the facility’s care.
Ensure habitats, husbandry practices, and enrichment programs meet or exceed professional standards and regulatory requirements.
Monitor animal health, water quality, and system performance; develop and implement treatment and care plans as needed.
Oversee all medical treatments and review veterinary reports, necropsy findings, and health trends.
Lead development and continual improvement of animal behavior and enrichment programs.
Maintain accurate electronic records related to animal health, inventory, water quality, and system operations.
Oversee maintenance, operation, and performance of life support systems and related technical infrastructure.
Partner with facilities and technical teams to ensure sustainable operational readiness.
Monitor habitat functionality and lead continuous improvement efforts for exhibits and systems.
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, as well as facility policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate documentation and readiness for inspections, audits, and regulatory reporting.
Manage emergency situations to minimize risk to animals, guests, staff, and property.
Support development and enforcement of departmental SOPs and safety protocols.
Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) as assigned and support overall facility operations.
Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals and guest experience standards.
Manage staffing schedules to ensure appropriate coverage for animal care and habitat maintenance.
Monitor departmental inventory, budgets, and expenditures to control costs and reduce waste.
Actively promote a culture that prioritizes guest engagement as an essential component of animal care leadership.
Oversee and participate in public presentations, animal interactions, and educational programming.
Represent and promote the Children’s Aquarium Dallas in a positive and professional manner.
Support conservation education and outreach initiatives both on-site and in the community.
Assist in development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain proficiency in required software, communication tools, and recordkeeping systems.
Possess strong working knowledge of aquatic Life Support Systems (LSS), including filtration processes, system design principles, and water quality management.
Provide oversight of LSS performance, troubleshooting efforts, and preventative maintenance programs to ensure optimal habitat conditions.
Guide staff in diagnosing system issues and implementing corrective actions in coordination with facilities and technical teams.
Support planning, upgrades, and long-term improvements to life support infrastructure.
Complete additional duties as assigned to support organizational success.