Pinniped Trainer 2/ Senior Trainer

New England Aquarium•Boston, MA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

This opening is for a Pinniped Trainer Level 2 or Senior Trainer. The Trainer provides for the care of the marine mammal colony and related facilities in line with AZA, USDA and New England Aquarium standards of animal husbandry. The Pinniped Trainer should demonstrate a clear understanding of how to position around the animals safely and provide support for coworkers during animal interactions. Duties will include: delivering scripted presentations with an animal, conducting Behind-the-Scenes tours and Meet and Greets and providing question and answer sessions for aquarium visitors at the Marine Mammal Center and Atlantic Harbor Seal Exhibits. The Senior trainer will also lead staff during training sessions, animal shifts, and animal emergencies in a constructive manner, train and maintain complex behaviors and manage medical intervention when needed. This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule is Thursday – Sunday from 7a – 6p EST. This position requires some flexibility to work holidays and/or night coverage when needed. Work must be conducted onsite.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years training experience in a zoo or aquarium setting is required for the Trainer II level, a minimum of 5 years training experience in a zoo or aquarium is required for the Senior Trianer level.
Experience working with live animals required.
Experience giving tours, conducting question and answer sessions with visitors, or public speaking required.
Familiarity with the USDA and AZA standards of animal husbandry and welfare required.
Intermediate level math skills for rapid unit conversions, addition/subtraction of fractions, decimals, and whole numbers up to 5 places, without needing a calculator required.
Ability to collaborate well within a team, and adjust quickly to changing situations is required.
Excellent presentation skills for audience interactions required.
Must have the ability to handle, cut, thaw, bucket fish, and inhale airborne fish particles multiple hours per day in an enclosed space without having to limit exposure.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Should be proficient with record-keeping software in Microsoft Office and readily able to transfer to other record-keeping software.

Nice To Haves

Experience with AV equipment a plus.
SCUBA certification with at least 15 logged dives required, and 25 logged dives preferred; possession of an approved AAUS medical evaluation consistent with scientific diving standards preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for animals and marine mammal facilities according to the AZA, USDA, and NEAq standards of animal husbandry and welfare, in order to provide the highest level of animal welfare, and to ensure the best animal well-being.
Apply advanced operant conditioning techniques and implement reinforcement contingencies needed to train and maintain basic and complex behaviors.
Provide support and mentorship for Trainer Level 1 and 2 staff members. Implement alternative training techniques, such as scanning, true mimicry, and modeling.
Position around the animals safely.
Provide support for co-workers during training sessions when appropriate for shifting animals, during presentations, and when performing restraint procedures for medical exams.
Troubleshoot training, husbandry and facility-related issues.
Narrate and interpret behavior during presentations, Meet and Greets, virtual encounters, and events, while working with a seal or sea lion.
Conduct Behind-the-Scenes program tours, Meet and Greets, and other related programs as they develop.
Maintain, clean, and sanitize all food prep, storage and animal exhibit areas.
Clearly communicate all changes in medication, diet, training methods, techniques, and handling of animals using NEAq reporting protocols to ensure that co-workers are aware of and implementing changes to maintain consistency.
Distribute and train others to distribute appropriate vitamins and medications.
Operate and maintain AV equipment.
Participate in, and demonstrate a strong understanding of, the Pinniped and Penguin enrichment program.
Conduct welfare assessments.
Keep clear and accurate records on animal behavior, food intake, medications, and diet changes, and accurately enter this information into the TRACKS record system. Use Microsoft Office applications and additional software programs required for entering records, doing data entry, creating presentations, etc.
Perform other position-related duties, as assigned.