Senior Aquarium Biologist

Aza • Sarasota, FL

47d • Onsite

About The Position

A Senior Aquarium Biologist should have an established career in animal husbandry in a public aquarium. A Senior Aquarium Biologist serves as a supervisor of all processes regarding the overall health, appearance, maintenance, and general care of the animal collection at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. This classification requires advanced knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry including but not limited to filtration, water quality, nutrition, population management, acquisition and disposition of animals, and enrichment. This position will coordinate work relating to animal health issues, exhibit design, life support design, and other senior-level responsibilities. A Senior Aquarium Biologist has the knowledge and ability to act as a resource for Aquarium Biologists I, II, and III as well as husbandry volunteers and interns. Management of an assigned new exhibit or renovation project is expected. As a minimum, a Senior Aquarium Biologist must have effective people handling skills as well as extensivecomplex animal husbandry skills. General Duties: Supervisory tasks include monitoring and maintaining a high level of animal care, and overseeing the implementation of changes and help make improvements as needed to provide the highest level of husbandry developed alongside Curator staff. A senior Aquarium Biologist will work with staff to ensure a clean work area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours. Animal maintenance tasks may include, but are not limited to, preparation of food (including medicated and special diets), performing water quality tests and evaluation of these tests with corrective measures if necessary, collection of specimens, conducting regular SCUBA assisted diving for exhibit maintenance and cleaning, preparation of chemicals, mixing synthetic seawater, cleaning of filters and aquarium viewing surfaces, cleaning of food preparation room, performing water changes, and gravel vacuuming. This position may require participation in continuing education programs which would involve travel to out of town locations. All employees must comply with the requirements outlined in the Mote Employee Policy Manual. Labor Category: Exempt (Federal Fair Labor Standards Act) The normal work week for a full time employee is considered to be forty hours; however greater emphasis is placed on meeting the responsibilities assigned to the position rather than on working a specified number of hours.

Requirements

• Valid Florida Driver's License or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire
• First Aid and CPR certification or the ability to attain it in 6 months
• Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification or the ability to attain it in 6 months
• Rescue Diver SCUBA certification or the ability to attain it in 6 months
• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Marine Science or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must have a minimum of five years working in a public aquarium, zoo, or related institution as an animal keeper with an established expertise in aquatic animal husbandry.
• Perform routine tasks accurately and efficiently
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools
• Able to work well with others and be a team player
• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to administer CPR, First Aid and DAN O2
• Artistic approach to decor construction and design
• Knowledge of aquarium biological processes
• Knowledge of aquarium fish husbandry and health
• Ability to recognize and identify fish diseases and parasites
• Ability to navigate and utilize ZIMS for record keeping
• Experience working with advanced life support systems
• Ability to troubleshoot life support systems and make repairs
• Advanced skills in life support systems and design
• Established time management and organizational skills
• Utilize independent judgment to address advanced husbandry issues
• Capable of working with PVC pipe, fittings, solvent cement, epoxy and resins
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Proficient working with PVC pipe, fittings, solvent cement, epoxy and resins
• Precise hand-eye coordination is required for the gentle capture and handling of animals from aquatic environments
• Ability to work outside in hot and humid Florida weather conditions
• Ability to spend the majority of workday walking, standing, bending and lifting
• Capable of climbing and working from ladders
• Tolerance to work in the proximity of noisy machinery & equipment
• Ability to work in confined spaces
• Tolerance for the smell of fish and animal feces
• Ability to lift and carry 60 lbs

Responsibilities

• Supervisory tasks include monitoring and maintaining a high level of animal care, and overseeing the implementation of changes and help make improvements as needed to provide the highest level of husbandry developed alongside Curator staff.
• Work with staff to ensure a clean work area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours.
• Animal maintenance tasks may include, but are not limited to, preparation of food (including medicated and special diets), performing water quality tests and evaluation of these tests with corrective measures if necessary, collection of specimens, conducting regular SCUBA assisted diving for exhibit maintenance and cleaning, preparation of chemicals, mixing synthetic seawater, cleaning of filters and aquarium viewing surfaces, cleaning of food preparation room, performing water changes, and gravel vacuuming.
• Participation in continuing education programs which would involve travel to out of town locations.
• Comply with the requirements outlined in the Mote Employee Policy Manual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees