Aquarist I - Diving

Aza•Seattle, WA

48d•$26 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquarist I Diving position furthers the Aquarium's mission through providing management and care for the animal collection. They are responsible for assigned husbandry duties in the Aquarium's Animal Care team. The Aquarium's animal collection currently includes temperate and tropical invertebrates, cartilaginous and teleost fishes. The building is planned to also act as a sea turtle recovery facility in the future. This position will be located at the Aquarium's Animal Care Center (ACC), which is located just south of downtown Seattle. This offsite building functions as an acquisitions and quarantine facility, as well as housing the Aquarium's current and future conservation programs involving live animals.

Requirements

Must have a clear understanding of fish and invertebrate biology and technical knowledge of marine biology, water quality analysis, aquatic life support systems, and marine animal health.
Must maintain a current and clear understanding of life support and mechanical systems for open and closed aquariums.
Must be comfortable working with basic math concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and able to apply them accurately in day-to-day tasks.
Must possess strong interpersonal, collaboration and team-building skills.
Must possess organizational skills, be self-motivated and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Must have the ability to use various computer software products: MS Word, Excel and internet browsers.
Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium's Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.
B.A./B.S. degree in biology, marine biology or related field, or equivalent experience.
Minimum of one years' experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or related environment (AZA facility preferred).
Must have or be able to obtain a Washington state driver's license.
Must either hold current CPR, first aid and AED certifications, or be able to obtain certification through the Aquarium.
Must be able to swim and pass and maintain any and all required scuba diving skills and certifications as noted below in the specified diving requirements.
Possess a scuba certification to the level of rescue diver (or equivalent) from a nationally recognized certification agency.
Possess a recent (less than 12 months) approval for recreational scuba diving signed by a physician (MD or DO).
Successfully pass an AAUS watermanship requirements swim test.
Pass a Seattle Aquarium scuba skills evaluation dive.
Pass a Seattle Aquarium occupational diving physical exam.
Complete emergency oxygen provider training within six months of hire.
Complete staff exhibit diver training and evaluation within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Tracks record keeping software preferred
Experience setting up and/or maintaining live food cultures preferred
Have working knowledge of the nitrogen cycle and setting up/cycling naïve animal systems.

Responsibilities

Prepare animals for transfer to public aquarium habitats; participate in training programs including desensitization, target training, and veterinary behavior training.
Assist with animal acquisition and quarantine. Acclimate newly acquired animals to habitat conditions and administer quarantine treatments (e.g., Formalin, Praziquantel, Copper).
Administer medications and treatments per veterinary instructions; assist with safe handling and restraint procedures.
Prepare, store, and distribute food according to established diets; monitor feeding habits and report changes or abnormalities.
Observe animals and evaluate behavior to assess physical and behavioral health.
Maintain records and reports for assigned species, including veterinary logs, habitat maintenance, and feeding data.
Help coordinate logistics for animal transports between Aquarium facilities and the airport.
Contribute to transport operations, ensuring shipping containers and water quality meet standards for duration of travel.
Coordinate and schedule water hauls from the main facility; participate in water management discussions.
Manage food inventory and assist with restocking and ordering supplies and equipment.
Clean and perform routine maintenance and minor repairs of animal habitats and holding areas to support animal health and presentation.
Perform basic LSS maintenance, including backwashing sand filters, cleaning protein skimmers and filter socks, and replacing UV units.
Maintain water quality using weekly testing results, probes, and basic water analysis; adjust chemical or physical parameters as needed.
Use scuba and surface-supplied air systems for in-habitat animal care and habitat maintenance; may include field diving for animals, research, or other tasks.
Actively represent and contribute to advancing and integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices, in alignment with the Aquarium's S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
Acting as role model for compliance with all Aquarium safety protocols.
Assuring the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public from injury or mishap.
Performing emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines and level of qualification
Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Performing other duties as assigned as appropriate for the level of the role.

Benefits

Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium's comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

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