Animal Welfare Host - Sea Life Dallas

Merlin Entertainments • Grapevine, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Welfare Host is a part-time role on the Displays Team at SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas. The role assists aquarists with routine husbandry of marine and freshwater displays, including animal care, diet preparation, feeding, cleaning, maintenance, water-quality testing, and record keeping. Work may include diving or tending dives and maintaining company-issued dive gear and diver areas. The position also involves guest interactions, presentations, and interactive programming about aquarium displays and exhibit diving. Duties are performed under the direction of the Displays Curator or a Displays Team Member and must follow established protocols and applicable animal welfare, safety, and regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Some knowledge of aquatic animal care in a professional aquarium environment.
• 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 follow directions and observe and remember details.
• Ability to make decisions that provide the best environment for animals.
• Comfort dealing with aquatic excrement and smells for long periods.
• Ability to be in contact with cold, fresh, and marine water for long periods.
• Ability to communicate and interact with guests, management, veterinarians, and others, while maintaining a friendly, polite, service-oriented demeanor.
• Effective decision-making skills.
• 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 keep flexible hours.
• SCUBA certification is not required; to be part of the dive team, certification must be through Rescue.
• Minimal record keeping as assigned.

Nice To Haves

• Preferably working toward a degree in Life Sciences, such as Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, or Psychology.
• Alternatively, knowledge of aquarium science gained through other means, such as aquarium or zoo experience in an education or animal-care department, or a combination of a degree in 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, diving, and animal health.
• Assist with water-quality testing.
• Assist with cleaning and maintaining backstage areas and aquarium displays, including displays requiring SCUBA diving.
• Maintain company-issued dive gear and diver areas in accordance with SEA LIFE policies and protocols.
• Act as a diver or secondary tender for dives.
• Deliver interactive programming, guest presentations, and public presentations involving displays and exhibit diving.
• Participate in guest relations and interactions and provide quality customer service.
• Assist Displays staff with aquarium-system husbandry while maintaining a high standard of animal care.
• Assist in the continual development of display areas in line with the company's long-term goals.
• Follow AZA, USDA, and Merlin health and safety standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Free entry for friends and family to parks and attractions through the Merlin Magic Pass.
• Recognition programs and rewards.
• 401(k) program with company matching contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Learning and advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed