Exhibit Tech- Australia

National Aquarium•Baltimore, MD

1d•$17 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The National Aquarium is seeking an Exhibit Technician to join our Australia-Rainforest team to provide flexible coverage to animal and plant care roles within the department. Provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices; keeps exhibits, back-up spaces, support equipment, and workspaces well maintained and to National Aquarium standards; participates in the acquisition/disposition, transport and acclimation of specimens; participates in the design and maintenance of exhibits and back-up enclosures, including life support systems and equipment, as assigned. Fully accountable for animals and systems under care in assigned areas. Assists with training and mentoring volunteers and interns.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or equivalent experience
A minimum of one year experience in the care of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or other zoological facility
Familiarity with the TRACKS database or the ability to learn.
An ability to develop and maintain professional work relationships with co-workers and professional colleagues.
Ability to follow all established safety procedures and policies and identify potential hazards in assigned areas.
Ability to work safely on ladders, around water, at heights, and around potentially dangerous animals.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff, guests and colleagues both verbally and in writing.
Must have good observational skills, be highly detail oriented, and adept at problem solving.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or fish species.
Experience in the operation and maintenance of life support systems.

Responsibilities

Provides care and husbandry of assigned living specimens. Understands and implements specimen care that is concurrent with professional standards of animal welfare and well-being. Conducts annual welfare assessments for assigned specimens.
Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits, life support equipment, and back-up spaces/tanks three times daily, reporting problems and independently resolving them where possible.
Prepares diets for assigned living collections in accordance with established dietary needs. Cleans and maintains kitchen and other food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils daily or as required.
Follows established feeding schedules and provides appropriate food amounts to maintain specimens at a healthy weight and body condition. Monitors weights and monitors the body condition of specimens at assigned intervals.
Develops and utilizes various feeding techniques to overcome the challenges of feeding specimens housed in multi specimen/species enclosures.
Observes, reports, and collaborates with curatorial staff on the resolution of issues including specimen incompatibility, feeding challenges, specimen injury and illness, escaped animals, equipment maintenance and function, enclosure/exhibit insufficiencies, and time management issues.
Participates in propagation programs as assigned.
Maintains live food cultures as assigned.
Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly with curatorial staff to identify important trends.
Maintains current knowledge of the natural history and professional husbandry standards for all assigned specimens through hands-on experience, literature reviews, and/or symposium participation.
Maintains and updates area protocols with information on all assigned exhibits, back-up enclosures/tanks, and their associated life support systems.
Provides coverage notes, when absent, with specific husbandry instructions.
Understands current behavioral conditioning methodology with the ability to draft and implement animal training plans for assigned specimens.
Participates in the acquisition/disposition and transport of living specimens as assigned.
Responds to life-support and animal-related emergencies (including after hours) as assigned.
Provides back-up support to other areas, as assigned.
Maintains and remains current and compliant on all TRACKS related assignments.
Maintains a valid Maryland drivers’ license.
Observes, recognizes, and reports about medical conditions that may require attention.
Supports and participates in Animal Health case management and annual physicals of specimens as assigned, administer medications, and implements routine quarantine procedures as instructed.
Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, lighting timers, climate control equipment, water supply, etc. in assigned areas.
Conducts backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and to maintain high water quality standards.
Cleans and maintains orderly workspaces and back-up areas and participates in the Integrated Pest Management Plan.
Develops and maintains professional relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and professional colleagues.
May represent the Aquarium in external, public-facing interactions, including those with media, donors and board members.
May participate in workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.
Participates in aquarium committees as assigned.
Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
Other duties as assigned.