What are the responsibilities and job description for the Zookeeper (Aquarist), Shores position at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium?
Join Our Shores Aquarist Team
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is seeking a skilled aquarist or animal care professional to join our Shores team in a hands-on, operational role supporting aquatic animal husbandry and exhibit operations.
This position is designed for candidates with a strong foundation in aquatic animal husbandry, exhibit operations, and public‑facing zoological environments. You’ll work closely with a collaborative team on daily animal care, aquatic systems maintenance, training programs, recordkeeping, and guest engagement while upholding the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and animal welfare.
Ideal candidates will bring experience in life support systems, diving, and marine mammal rehabilitation.
If you’re ready to apply your existing aquarist expertise within a mission‑driven institution that values collaboration, cross‑training, and continuous learning, we invite you to join us at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Responsible for the daily care of animals within assigned team as well as all other animals within the region; water quality and monitors life support systems and all region exhibit/habitat and grounds maintenance.
Animal Care, Training & Safety
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is seeking a skilled aquarist or animal care professional to join our Shores team in a hands-on, operational role supporting aquatic animal husbandry and exhibit operations.
This position is designed for candidates with a strong foundation in aquatic animal husbandry, exhibit operations, and public‑facing zoological environments. You’ll work closely with a collaborative team on daily animal care, aquatic systems maintenance, training programs, recordkeeping, and guest engagement while upholding the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and animal welfare.
Ideal candidates will bring experience in life support systems, diving, and marine mammal rehabilitation.
If you’re ready to apply your existing aquarist expertise within a mission‑driven institution that values collaboration, cross‑training, and continuous learning, we invite you to join us at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Responsible for the daily care of animals within assigned team as well as all other animals within the region; water quality and monitors life support systems and all region exhibit/habitat and grounds maintenance.
Animal Care, Training & Safety
- Provides care for the region’s animals, including but not limited to food preparation, feeding, monitoring diets, watering, bathing, enrichment, water changes, observing medical and behavioral changes, behavioral stimulation and assists with medical treatment as prescribed by Zoo Veterinarians.
- Participates in training and operant conditioning programs and follow standardized reporting mechanisms.
- Participates in venomous species handling program as assigned.
- Assures safety of self, the living collection, co-workers and visitors by observing safety guidelines around the animals, equipment, and vehicles.
- Cleans and maintains the region’s exhibit areas (e.g. servicing life support systems, use of water quality testing equipment), performs basic horticulture work within exhibit.
- Performs minor maintenance, water quality testing, water changes, filter maintenance and other work related to aquatic systems.
- Utilizes chemical supply products and follows standardized usage guidelines and safety information as set by the Material Data Sheets.
- Will serve as a spotting diver when only one diver is in water.
- Remains current and follows all diving and institutional safety protocols as assigned.
- Maintains accurate, up-to-date records (e.g. daily, monthly) on the collection.
- Provides educational information about the region’s animal population through such activities as interacting with the public, conducting keeper talks, staffing interpreter stations, conducting tours and workshops, attending docent meetings, composing articles for zoo publications and conducting volunteer trainings.
- Provides input to Curator on all aspects (e.g. safety, animal husbandry) of the region.
- Establishes and maintains contacts with other zookeepers outside of the Columbus Zoo, field researchers and other specialists as required.
- May provide leadership and training to seasonal employees, interns, volunteers and zooschool students (e.g. provide daily work direction, inform management of problems.)
- Attend departmental meetings and participate in developmental seminars and workshops as required.
- Cross training between Shores Aquarist, Shores Stingray Bay Aquarist, and Shores Terrestrial Keeper positions is encouraged and subject to department operational needs as defined by the curator. Cross-trained staff may be assigned duties throughout the Shores region as needed.
- Constantly strives to further the mission of the organization and avidly supports the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and The Wilds.
- Implements sustainable practices in daily tasks whenever possible.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Bachelor’s degree in zoology, animal science, biology or related field required. Four years of relevant zookeeping experience may be substituted for a degree.
- Experience in zookeeping (6 months to one year), or approved equivalent, required.
- Minimum six months animal husbandry experience working with fish, amphibians, invertebrates, marine mammals, avian and reptiles preferred.
- Experience in diagnosis and treatment of common diseases of fish and invertebrates preferred.
- Ability to successfully perform zookeeper duties within a diverse animal collection.
- Ability to perform strenuous physical work required.
- Experience in the maintenance of aquariums, aquatic life support systems, and use of water quality testing equipment preferred.
- S.C.U.B.A. certification required or ability to obtain S.C.U.B.A. certification within one year of employment.
- Ability to meet all Dive Program requirements, including the annual swim test and physical exam.
- Remain current and follows all diving related institutional safety protocols as assigned.
- C.P.R./First Aid certification required.
- Ability to develop and deliver informational presentations to small, medium or large groups is required.
- Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required.
- Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner without direct supervision is required.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays required.
- Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests and upholding the guest service standards required.
- Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all CZFP team members and contacts regarding company business required.
- Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
- Possession of a valid state issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record required, as well as ability to operate standard shift vehicles required.
- Proof of negative TB screening prior to placement and annually thereafter required.
- Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks’ drug-free workplace policy including but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up treatment required.
- Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.