Aquarist Jellies

National Aquarium•Baltimore, MD

15h•$18 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The National Aquarium is seeking an Aquarist-Jellies to join our Blue Wonders team. The Aquarist-Jellies provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices. Keeps systems/enclosures, support equipment, and workspaces well maintained to NA standards. Participates in the acquisition/disposition, transport, acclimation, and quarantine of animals. Participate in the design, construction and maintenance of exhibits and reserve tanks, including life support material and equipment, as assigned. Will be responsible for providing coverage for other areas as assigned and be primary contact in assigned areas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, or related major, or equivalent experience
Minimum of three years’ experience in aquarium or zoological field with emphasis on closed aquatic systems
Previous experience training and mentoring paid and/or unpaid staff within assigned section.
Significant experience caring for and culturing a variety of jellyfish species
Possess keen observation skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.
Possess an affinity for animals, education orientation and conservation ethics.
Ability to be certified in the operation of a power lift truck and overhead crane
Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and ability to learn to operate a variety of vehicles

Nice To Haves

Experience culturing live foods
Open water scuba certification
CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification
Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record with the ability to operate a variety of vehicles

Responsibilities

Responsible for the care and feeding of the animal collection and systems within assigned area.
Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits and reserve tanks twice daily to check status and identify and report potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.
Prepares food and feeds assigned animals/systems/enclosures, in accordance with dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils.
Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep animals at peak health.
Follows established feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to maintain animals at a healthy weight. Develops strategies to get inappetent animals to feed.
Utilizes various feeding techniques and develops new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet to all animals in systems/enclosures housing multiple animals and species.
Observes and recognizes medical conditions that may require attention and reports observations. Discusses best course of therapy with Animal Health and Curatorial teams.
Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as needed.
Maintains detailed daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends.
Orders hardware, life-support supplies, aquarium supplies, and live animals as needed with Curatorial approval.
Maintains current knowledge of all animal species under their care and their natural history (biology and environmental needs) and husbandry requirements through hands-on experience, upkeep with current literature, keeper exchange programs, and symposium participation (as approved).
Researches species to determine established or new husbandry techniques; conducts literature review or hands-on research.
Assists with annual and routine physicals of animals.
Participates in the acquisition and transport of plants and animals.
Arranges the acquisition of plants and animals from professional collectors, other institutions, and wholesalers.
Participates in field collection trips using appropriate equipment. Lead and manage national collection trips, as assigned, including securing location, travel, and other logistics and developing budget and plan proposals.
Executing collection trip while being fully accountable for the finances and safety of staff participating. Ensures adequate animal holding facilities in accordance with biological requirements of the animals are available prior to collection of specimens.
Maintains acquisition and disposition database.
Prepares and maintains a manual with up-to-date information on all assigned systems/enclosures, reserve tanks, and their associated life-support systems and animals. Maintains weekly coverage notes for specific husbandry instructions.
Participates in the design and construction of new and renovated systems, maintenance, and appearance of existing exhibits and tanks, including life support materials and equipment.
Maintains cleanliness and artistic quality of the displays through cleaning glass and decor, scrubbing algae and removing debris to meet established National Aquarium standards.
Performs cleaning tasks, water changes, backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintain water quality standards, and determines appropriate schedules for maintenance and trouble-shooting guides.
Cleans back-up areas including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water, and pest control.
Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, and chillers dealing with life support for the building.
Participates in system design and fabrication in keeping with animal behavior and biological needs.
Serves as a representative of the Aquarium to the public and the media.
Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.
Produces specific applied research projects.
Offers advice to other aquariums and zoos regarding aquarium techniques and advises home hobbyists on husbandry problems.
Trains and mentors new personnel including employees, volunteers, interns and visiting professionals in all aspects of husbandry.
Able to work well with supervisors and staff.
As assigned, serves as a volunteer or intern coordinator, conducts interviews and annual performance reviews
Responds to diver, life-support, and animal-related emergencies, at times after hours.
As scheduled, works cooperatively to execute response to mitigate alarms for planned incidents or drills, including after-hours when needed.
May have responsibility for occasionally being on-call or responding to emergencies after-hours; responsibility may cross more than one department/section.
Provides back-up support to other departments as needed.
Oversees section, as assigned, in the absence of Curators and Assistant Curators.
Plans and implements special projects including minor exhibit renovations/repairs.
Recommends species acquisitions that support exhibit themes and enhance visitor experience and learning.
Supports company mission.
Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
Other duties as assigned or required.