Senior Animal Care Specialist - Aquarium
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this RoleAs Senior Aquarist in the Aquarium Department, you are responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the maintenance and care of Zoo animals. You serve as lead aquarist in the department, assuming a leadership role, and are frequently involved in training new employees assigned to the unit. The more unusual or difficult problems are referred to the supervisor. 
As a Senior Aquarium Animal Care Specialist, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Essential functions of an Animal Care Specialist - Aquarium.
• Assist managers in training new employees assigned to the department.
• Provide guidance to fellow employees in safety practices and improved techniques and procedures for handling or restraining animals.
• Direct the work of fellow employees assigned to the unit for special projects.
• Assist supervisors in maintaining animal records.
• Prepare daily reports as necessary.
• Continually observe and evaluate animal behavior and conditions for animals in the department and report any problems to the appropriate supervisor.
• Perform emergency repairs and make changes to animal enclosures as required.
• Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
• Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Constantly exhibit a guest service attitude, a smile, and an obvious interest in guest comfort and service.
• Communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner and assist guests with questions and directions to various areas of the Zoo. Address the guest - do not wait to be asked.
• Remove trash and debris from public area.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Ability to work weekends, holidays and occasional after-hour assignments.
• Must meet minimum qualifications of aquarist position.
• Two (2) years of zoo keeping experience.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license with a clean driving record for operation of Zoo vehicles.
• Become pest control certified within first year of employment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills are preferred.
• Knowledge of freshwater and marine husbandry.
• Knowledge of water quality and chemistry.
• Knowledge/familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, code of ethics, and representative husbandry standards. Familiar with AZA or other captive population management programs.
• Efficient computer skills with basic knowledge of software and applications.
• Associate degree or higher in wildlife/fisheries management, zoology, biology, or related field, or three (3) years of extensive zoo keeping experience.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen.
• We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available days, nights, weekends, and occasional after-hour assignments.

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.