Position Title: Senior Aquarist – Tropical Diver and Coldwater Quest 

Division: Zoological Operations

Department: Fish & Invertebrates

Classification: Non-Exempt; Hourly

Direct Report: Associate Curator, Fish & Invertebrates

Position Summary:

Our Senior Aquarist will work with a diverse zoological team to provide a high level of husbandry care and exhibit maintenance to a wide variety of animals, with primary emphasis upon corals and tropical coral reef related organisms. In addition, the Senior Aquarist will work with the Tropical Diver and Coldwater Quest team to achieve institutional goals, participate in staff education, training, and safety planning, as well as meeting personal performance goals and objectives. This position will take an active roll in expanding the institution’s participation in the AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project, as well as maintaining very large Indo Pacific reef systems. 

Responsibilities:

1. Implements Zoological and exhibit goals and standards for the Tropical Diver and Coldwater Quest galleries
2. Implements daily operational requirements of the staff, animals and gallery of responsibility
3. Participates in training, development and review process for individual animal development and enrichment
4. Works with the Tropical Diver and Coldwater Quest team to maintain the highest quality exhibit care and facilitate coordination of projects such as animal transport, habitat improvements, etc.
5. Ensures compliance with AZA Florida Reef Tract reporting requirements
6. Leads by example and mentors a gallery team to help maintain high quality staff performance and exhibit presentation
7. Interface effectively with other departments to facilitate appropriate animal care and adhere to established work area protocols and procedures
8. Fosters working relationships with other institutions by interacting with colleagues and being aware of newly developed animal care and public presentation techniques
9. As needed, interact on behalf of the Georgia Aquarium with guests, media, general public, etc.
10. Implement dive safety guidelines established by the dive safety officer
11. To perform other duties as workload necessitates including support of Summer Camp educational interactions, night event requests, VIP tour interactions, etc.

Qualifications:

1. Preferred, four year degree in biology or related field
2. Five years of work experience in an AZA accredited institution, or equivalent, working with aquatic animals and associated husbandry and life support
3. A demonstrated record of skill set development and zoological accomplishments, with particular focus on live corals
4. Husbandry experience with Atlantic coral species and active participation in the AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project is preferred
5. Certified SCUBA Diver
6. Georgia CDL, or the ability to obtain one
7. Valid passport, or the ability to obtain one
8. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 100 feet. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An employee must also have the ability to travel by car, boat and air as needed, physically use SCUBA equipment, conduct field work in the collection and research of animals, and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals.

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

 Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion