Senior Biologist (Wetlands)

The Florida Aquarium • Tampa, FL

5h

About The Position

The Senior Biologist is responsible for all aspects of husbandry in assigned areas and leads a team caring for and managing The Florida Aquarium’s living collection. The role includes designing, setting up, caring for, and maintaining quarantine facilities and live exhibits; recognizing and treating disease; constructing and operating life support systems; and conducting field collection and species identification. The Senior Biologist promotes animal wellbeing and mentors less experienced staff.

The position carries out daily husbandry without direct supervision, maintains high standards for exhibits and animal care, and supports the development of staff, interns, and volunteers. It also involves guest and team interactions, animal conditioning, inspection readiness, coordinating animal handling for medical care and transport, and participating in husbandry projects, animal acquisition, research, and public representation of the aquarium.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience as a Biologist/Aquarist II or equivalent experience.
• A four-year degree in biology or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Thorough understanding of terrestrial species’ habitat requirements, life support systems, and aquatic water quality parameters.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering aspects of maintaining biological systems.
• Experience acquiring, collecting, and transporting live animals.
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• SCUBA certification required.
• Willingness and ability to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Availability for on-call emergencies.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience at a Senior level or above is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of electronic animal record-keeping systems such as ZIMS/ISIS and/or Tracks is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily husbandry and maintain live exhibits, holding systems, and quarantine facilities without direct supervision.
• Demonstrate expertise in handling, transporting, acclimating, and caring for birds, reptiles, mammals, and freshwater and marine organisms.
• Carry out animal quarantine and clinical treatments and support marine and terrestrial animal health.
• Design, construct, operate, and maintain aquarium life support systems.
• Design, construct, and maintain live exhibits.
• Lead the team in upholding high standards of animal care and wellbeing.
• Mentor biologists, interns, and volunteers in husbandry, exhibit and life support systems, animal health, electronic record keeping, collecting techniques, and species identification.
• Interact positively and professionally with aquarium guests, donors, and team members.
• Develop and execute operant conditioning plans for aquatic and terrestrial animals.
• Maintain AZA inspection readiness for exhibit, service, holding, and backup areas.
• Demonstrate The Florida Aquarium’s Core Values in daily decisions, professional conduct, and collaboration.
• Assist management with coordinating animal handling for medical care and transport.
• Develop, execute, and participate in husbandry projects, animal acquisition, and transport.
• Assist in developing, maintaining, and revising husbandry SOPs and work processes.
• Supervise ordering of supplies and equipment.
• Represent the aquarium at selected conferences and speaking engagements, give media interviews, and write and present formal papers.
• Conduct, assist with, and oversee research projects relevant to and supportive of the aquarium’s mission, ensuring internal research using living organisms is professionally competent and ethical.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior