Facility
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position: Freshwater Aquarist I
Reports To: Associate Director of Animal Husbandry
POSITION SUMMARY: Freshwater Aquarist I is responsible for providing the highest possible quality of care to the animals in his/her assigned area. This responsibility includes the set-up, maintenance and care of holding enclosures and systems, preparing and dispensing food, disease recognition and treatment, life support system construction and operation, and species identification. The individual will maintain current knowledge on husbandry and natural history of all fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles in their area of responsibility. The Aquarist I has the knowledge and ability to act as a resource for volunteers and interns, and assists in training interns and volunteers as directed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Act as a resource to Interns and Volunteers
o Train, develop and oversee the work of volunteers and interns assigned to work in the individual’s area of responsibility
• Assist with the management in the oversight of all assigned systems while ensuring a consistently high standard of animal care
• Maintain accurate daily records for all assigned systems
• Participate in specimen transports, water quality testing, diagnosis and treatment of fish and terrestrial animal diseases
• Maintain live exhibits and specimen holding facilities at a high level of quality
• Perform general husbandry functions without direct supervision
• Assume responsibility for the oversight of the daily operations within the Freshwater Department in the absence of the Curator of Freshwater (weekends, etc.)
• Maintain the highest level of cleanliness of assigned tanks and enclosures
• Maintain proper water quality and environmental parameters to ensure the health of all organisms in assigned systems
• Ensure the proper care of life support equipment by adhering to a regular preventative maintenance schedule and by keeping all items clean
• Ensure proper lighting requirements are achieved and maintained
• Complete inspection rounds at least twice daily to check status of all assigned systems and their occupants. Make daily observations of animals for health and behavioral assessment and amend or report issues as they arise
• Report all non-functioning life support equipment to the Life Support Systems Manager, or in emergency situations to the Director of Animal Husbandry
• Prepare food and feed organisms
• Maintain all established records in accordance with established practice and policy (acquisition, disposition, tank records, water quality records, etc.)
• Maintain a clean work area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours
• Adhere to all safety protocols (fire, diving, etc.)
• Demonstrate flexibility in completing tasks, which may extend after normal working hours or to weekends and holidays
• Provide alternate coverage for other aquarists or keepers as assigned
• Ensure all husbandry areas are kept clean, organized and hazard free
• Maintain supplies and equipment needed for the department
Education and Pre-requisites
QUALIFICATIONS:
A Freshwater Aquarist I must have previous exposure to aquariums and/or zoos and a background related to living organisms. Experience with, understanding of, and aptitude for maintaining fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles is essential. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required.
• A college degree (A.A, A.S. B.A. or B.S.) is required with an emphasis on biology or science course work, or equivalent hands on work experience/knowledge may be considered
• 1 year of experience caring for animals in a public aquarium or zoological facility
• Consistently maintains excellent standards
• Demonstrates competency in plumbing skills (comfortable plumbing PVC pipe over 1”)
• Is a role model for professionalism including:
o Contributes to a positive and productive work environment
o Demonstrates self-motivated initiative
o Assist others when opportunities arise; promotes teamwork
o Represents LLPA in words and actions
o Possesses good communication and organizational skills
• Ability to quickly acquire a level of basic competency of all LLPA aquarium systems and ability to cover any fish, invertebrate, amphibian or reptile enclosures within the department
• Demonstrate husbandry experience with fish, invertebrates, amphibians and/or reptiles
• Possess a valid driver’s license and obtain a Utah driver’s license within 6 months of hire date
CRITICAL SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:
• Knowledge of disease identification and treatment
• Knowledge of biological processes as they pertain to water chemistry, physiology, animal health and psychological well being
• Ability to identify all animals in assigned systems
• Possesses familiarity with the natural history of all animals in their section, including a good understanding of the requirements of individual species in captivity
• Attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Ability to swim
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to walk up and down ladders
• Ability to work with various cleaning chemicals
• Ability to work with venomous animals
• Ability to operate hand power tools
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Hot and cold environments
• Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions
• Elevated platforms
• Animal habitats
• Uneven surfaces
• Confined spaces
• Underwater environments
• Noisy workspaces
While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities for this job at any time.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. LLPA does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected class under federal, state or local laws.
Compensation and benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation and many more benefits!
Application instructions
Visit our website www.thelivingplanet.com or click the link below to apply.
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=8de87e82-aa91-4d17-afe8-e4dc682347f5&sid=THZnUGxhbmV0&jobId=149285&lang=en_US&source=CC3