Senior Rehabilitation Biologist

National Aquarium • Baltimore, MD

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Rehabilitation Biologist responsible for executing complex, professional work for all aspects of animal husbandry and welfare within the Animal Rescue department, including stranding response and rehabilitation of sea turtles. Specifically, this includes the design, set-up, care and maintenance of habitats, disease recognition and medical treatment, life support system construction and operation, field work, species identification and knowledge, and incident response. In addition to the Senior Rehabilitation Biologist’s scheduled duties, the incumbent is expected to use independent judgment and critical thinking to problem solve, keeping human and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Responsible for being able to lead special projects and other investigations aimed at furthering the quality of animal care and welfare. The Senior Rehabilitation Biologist position may also be responsible to serve as the main point of contact for the area(s) to which they are assigned, or as a liaison cross-departmentally within the Aquarium or with external agencies (NOAA & USFWS). May supervise, train and mentor paid husbandry staff and volunteers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aquatic sciences, environmental or related science or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of previous professional work experience with rehabilitation, and or stranding response organization with preference to those with experience with both pinnipeds and sea turtles.
• Ability to be certified in the operation of a n electric pallet jack/stacker and overhead crane.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and occasional evenings.
• Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
• Ability to climb ladders, lift and carry 50 lbs, and physically restrain large, wild animals.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience mentoring or training staff, interns or volunteers.
• Veterinary Technician experience or license.
• CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification
• 24hr HAZWOPER Certification.
• Familiarity with electronic animal record keeping software systems (i.e. Tracks, ZIMS, etc.)
• Previous experience responding to hotline calls and field stranding response.
• Ability to pass a Department of Transportation medical exam.

Responsibilities

• Performs general daily husbandry and medical treatment functions including the maintenance of habitats and quarantine facilities at a high level of quality as defined in our protocols; does so without direct supervision.
• Performs the duties and maintains the skills of a Rehabilitation Biologist.
• Directly responsible for advanced husbandry duties such as animal quarantine protocols, habitat design, leading field work, record keeping, acquisition/disposition, and leading triage and transport of animals.
• May supervise, train and mentor paid husbandry staff and volunteers in the development of job and leadership skills relating to general husbandry and medical functions, habitat design, construction and maintenance, project management, and field techniques.
• Assumes responsibility for the implementation of daily operations, emergency response, and effective teamwork within their husbandry area, as scheduled.
• As scheduled, provide 24-hour coverage of Stranding Hotline, and provide exemplary customer service.
• Work cooperatively with Animal Health to manage and execute the Aquarium’s regional response to live-stranded sea turtles according to established protocols.
• Contributes to the development or refinement of policies and procedures relating to essential functions of the assigned section, as directed. Policies and procedures may cross more than one department/ assigned section.
• Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and Incident Action Plans (IAP’s) related to stranding response, manage events under the Incident Command System, and ensure staff and animal safety.
• Provides operational and logistical support to stranding events, and as requested by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
• Maintain life support systems.
• Develop and manage research goals for sea turtles in rehabilitation
• Collaborate with Director on Animal Rescue Protocols to review and keep protocols updated
• Must have specialized knowledge about sea turtle and/or marine mammal biology and have an affinity for wild animals, including a reasonable comfort level around large and/or aggressive animals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to set up laboratory and diagnostic testing, animal medical treatment methods, and pharmacology and drug dosing as prescribed by veterinarian(s); must be familiar with quarantine protocols.
• Familiarity with computers is necessary, including MS Office software (Word/Excel/Teams), Zoom, and Adobe; ability to learn & effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software.
• Expected to act as a role model within and beyond the division; must professionally demonstrate good judgment and communication skills through interpersonal effectiveness and fostering a learning culture.
• Promote teamwork and a positive and productive work environment.
• Accountable to use independent judgment and critical thinking to problem solve, keeping human safety and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Innovation may be required to temporarily modify existing policies and procedures. Problems to solve are typically within the assigned section.
• Willingness and ability to mentor new staff, volunteers, and interns while exhibiting the same or higher levels of technical skill/knowledge.
• Stays abreast of current trends in the related field to ensure that National Aquarium programs, policies, and protocols continue to evolve and improve.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Benefits

• National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave.
• Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work.
• Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees