Newport Aquarium Animal Handling & Programming Specialist - Full Time Year Round

All Career • Newport, KY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Handling & Programming Specialist at Newport Aquarium is responsible for consistently demonstrating Herschend Family Entertainment Lead with Love Principles and the HEART model of guest service excellence. This role involves regularly delivering high-quality, accurate, and entertaining programming for guests of various ages and group sizes, in both formal and informal settings. Key duties include maintaining proper animal handling techniques, documenting activities, prioritizing safety, and adhering to approved interpretive points and presentation scripts. The specialist will implement animal artifacts, science experiments, ambassador animals, and other interpretive tools into educational programs. Programs are conducted for both public and private groups during normal operating hours and after-hours events. The position requires maintaining a positive and professional appearance, meeting attendance requirements, and performing other related duties as assigned by the Animal Handling and Programming Supervisor, including program set-up and clean-up. Newport Aquarium, a Herschend Enterprises property, focuses on creating memorable experiences and is guided by core values of exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Must have strong public speaking skills
• A completed degree or working towards some form of degree, preferably in education, biology or an animal science
• Willingness to take direction and coaching from experienced team members to improve your skills and enhance the guest experience
• Must read, write, and speak the English language
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a constantly changing environment as well as individually, with minimal supervision
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which will include weekends, holidays and evenings
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced job and remain courteous, friendly and helpful to guests and fellow team members at all times
• Successful completion of pre-employment background check
• No history of allergy related to animals or plants, which might interfere with ability to work
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time, climb stairs, bend and stoop
• Physical strength, including the ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infections and parasitic disease)

Nice To Haves

• Prior informal education experience is a plus
• Previous animal handling experience is a plus
• Knowledge of other languages is encouraged

Responsibilities

• Consistently demonstrate Herschend Family Entertainment Lead with Love Principles towards all Guests and Hosts
• Follow the HEART model of guest service excellence at all times
• Maintain a positive and professional appearance at all times
• Maintain positive standing with all attendance requirements
• Regularly deliver high-quality, accurate, and entertaining programming for Guests of various ages and group size
• Keep all required logs and/or TRACKS records up to date, ensuring animal handling activities and programs are accurately documented
• Prioritize safety at all times
• Learn and consistently demonstrate proper Newport Aquarium animal handling techniques; required to maintain socialization schedules
• Only use accurate and approved interpretive points and within guidelines of presentation scripts
• Successfully implement animal artifacts, science experiments, ambassador animals, and other interpretive tools into educational/entertaining programs as assigned
• Perform programs for both public and private groups either during normal operating hours or after-hours events
• Maintain availability for a variety of programming that is scheduled during normal daily operations and/or during events hosted after hours
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Animal Handling and Programming Supervisor, including set-up and clean-up of assigned programming

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vison insurances
• 40 sick hours, 40 personal hours, 8 Holidays, 80 Vacation Hours annually
• Profit Sharing and 401K Plan with company match
• Free entrance for you and your dependents which extends to most Herschend Enterprises’ properties
• Earn 1 General Admission complimentary ticket, that you can give to anyone, per pay period
• Discounts at Sharky’s Café, Sweet Dreams Candy Company, and the gift shop
• Training and development
• Grow U program with hundreds of fully funded programs available from certifications to college prep to associates, bachelor's, and master’s degrees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees