Animal Welfare Host - Sea Life Dallas

SEA LIFE•Grapevine, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Welfare Host is part of the Displays Team at SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas. This part-time role assists aquarists with routine husbandry of marine and freshwater displays, including diving and tending. Work includes exhibit diet preparation, backstage cleaning, water chemistry tasks, and basic husbandry. The role also involves guest talks, interactive programming, presentations, and guest interactions. Duties are carried out under the direction of the Displays Curator, Curator, or a Displays Team Member. The position supports daily animal care and aquarium-system upkeep in accordance with established protocols, helps maintain accurate records, assists with water-quality testing, and contributes to the ongoing development of display areas in line with company goals. It may involve diving in displays, including a 200,000-gallon tropical ocean display, and maintaining company-issued dive gear and diver areas. The role requires compliance with AZA, USDA, and Merlin health and safety standards.

Requirements

Some knowledge of aquatic animal care in a professional aquarium environment.
SCUBA certification is not required for the role; certification through Rescue is required to be part of the dive team.
Experience working in a public setting or in guest services.
Good attention to detail.
Ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment and work effectively with limited supervision.
Ability to complete minimal record keeping as assigned.
Ability to make decisions that provide the best environment for each animal.
Comfort dealing with aquatic excrement and odors for extended periods and being in contact with cold, fresh, and marine water for extended periods.
Ability to follow directions effectively and observe and remember details.
Ability to communicate and interact with guests, management, veterinarians, and others, and provide quality customer service.
Ability to maintain a friendly, polite, service-oriented demeanor and make effective decisions.
Ability to stand for long periods.
Ability to communicate and support the Aquarium’s mission and goals.
Ability to obtain and hold a valid Texas driver’s license.
Ability to work weekends and nights, be on-call, and maintain flexible hours.

Nice To Haves

Working toward a degree in Life Sciences, such as Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, or Psychology; alternatively, aquarium-science knowledge gained through other means or a combination of another discipline and practical knowledge.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for animal exhibits, including diet preparation, feeding, and general care and maintenance of aquatic exhibits in accordance with established protocols.
Maintain and prepare accurate daily records for aquarium systems, exhibit specimens, dive activities, and animal-health paperwork.
Assist with water-quality testing.
Assist with care, cleaning, and maintenance of aquarium displays, including displays requiring SCUBA diving.
Maintain company-issued dive gear and diver areas according to SEA LIFE policies and protocols.
Deliver interactive guest programming, exhibit and dive presentations, and public presentations as needed; participate in guest relations and interactions.
Assist Displays staff and aquarists with aquarium-system husbandry, backstage and display cleaning, diet preparation, feeding, and general exhibit care.
Contribute to the ongoing development of display areas in line with company goals.
Act as a diver or secondary tender for dives.
Follow AZA, USDA, and Merlin health and safety standards.