Zoological Specialist, Senior | Full-Time | Dolphin | SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld•San Diego, CA

5d•$21 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

SeaWorld San Diego is hiring a Senior Zoological Specialist for its dolphin animal-care team. The role involves providing daily care and compassionate training to animals, including husbandry, food preparation, administering vitamins and medications as directed, and maintaining clean, safe habitats. The position also includes observing animals, maintaining records and equipment, supporting educational and public presentations, interacting with guests, and applying behavioral modification techniques. Senior-level duties include leading shows and guest interaction programs, training behavior to completion with minimal or no supervision, and proactively maintaining conditioned behavior. Placement and compensation depend on professional zoological animal-care experience at an AZA or equivalent facility, as assessed by Zoo leadership. The role requires flexible availability throughout the year, including opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays, and flexibility in work location based on business needs and career development opportunities.

Requirements

At least 3 years of marine mammal experience.
SCUBA certified and able to pass a dive physical.
Able to complete provided CPR training and certification.
Strong verbal communication skills and enthusiasm for sharing a passion for animals and conservation with guests.
Comfortable speaking to large groups on stage during presentations.
Able to lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
Able to walk and stand extensively throughout the entire work shift and climb or ascend heights if needed.
Able to kneel, squat, bend from floor to waist and waist to overhead, reach overhead, and perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation tasks, including use of tools, keyboard, and writing.
Able to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather, including extreme heat, and tolerate exposure to fumes, dust, odors, and temperature extremes.
Able to work a flexible schedule based on business need, including opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Flexible regarding work location, as placement depends on business needs and career development opportunities.
Senior level requires a minimum of 2.5 years (5,200 hours) of professional zoological experience at an AZA or equivalent facility.

Responsibilities

Perform daily animal husbandry, including preparing food and administering vitamins and medications as directed.
Observe animals and report abnormalities to the supervisor and team.
Maintain animal records and equipment.
Keep animal habitats and work areas safe and sanitary, following established guidelines and safety procedures.
Support educational and general public shows, including preparing educational content and developing speaking skills and stage presence.
Engage with guests and respond to their inquiries.
Serve as a secondary animal person and safety spotter when needed.
Act as primary trainer when approved and directed by leadership, and perform primary roles as assigned by area leadership.
Work with animals on basic behavior and behavioral modification techniques under supervision.
Train behavior to completion under minimal supervision and, where applicable, without supervision.
Lead education and general public shows and guest interaction programs.
Apply behavioral modification techniques across the organization, including developing and implementing new behavior, training naïve animals, maintaining conditioned behavior, and forming relationships with animals.
Engage in and execute all aspects of guest interaction programs.
Communicate professionally and effectively with Ambassadors, Vendors, and Guests.
Perform cleaning duties, including using cleaning chemicals.
Perform other duties as assigned.