What are the responsibilities and job description for the Aquarist 1 - Giant Ocean Tank position at New England Aquarium?
The New England Aquarium is seeking an Aquarist I to join the Giant Ocean Tank team and assist with husbandry responsibilities supporting a 200,000-gallon Caribbean Coral Reef exhibit. Duties include SCUBA diving in the Giant Ocean Tank, record keeping, food preparation, feeding, cleaning, and supervising and training volunteers and interns under the direction of the GOT Manager.
This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Sunday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Work must be conducted onsite. Availability to work weekends, some holidays, and occasionally early-morning or late-night hours is required.
Essential Functions
Minimum Training and Experience
New England Aquarium is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. Here we foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet, and we believe a diverse workforce provides experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our work environment.
This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Sunday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Work must be conducted onsite. Availability to work weekends, some holidays, and occasionally early-morning or late-night hours is required.
Essential Functions
- Provides daily care of assigned exhibits, holding systems, support spaces, and life support systems according to the standards set forth by NEAQ as well as AZA. May help to develop new protocols as appropriate and apply knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and animal biology to advance husbandry techniques as appropriate.
- Makes daily observations of animals for health assessment according to established norms of animal's behavior and appearance. In conjunction with the Animal Health Department, learns to identify common diseases for the animals within the collection.
- Assists with establishing an appropriate dietary regime and administering medications and supplements.
- Maintains written and electronic records and submits entries via NEAQ's specimen database system TRACKS©. Typical entries include accessions, dispositions, moves, behaviors, mortalities, and LSS maintenance in accordance with husbandry practices and institutional policy.
- Performs routine Animal Welfare assessments, and under the direction of the Manager, helps to develop appropriate action responses to ensure the highest standards of animal care are met.
- Under the direction of the Environmental Quality Department, manages water quality and environmental parameters in assigned exhibits and holding tanks.
- Applies responsible population management practices in assisting with making recommendations during the annual collection planning exercise, in addition to helping facilitate the acquisition and disposition of animals.
- Assists with developing, driving, and adjusting strategies to effectively meet the behavioral needs of animals, including enrichment and target training.
- Must demonstrate proficiency as a SCUBA diver, collector, and transport driver.
- Serves as a mentor and resource for assistant aquarists, volunteers, interns, and co-ops.
Minimum Training and Experience
- Bachelor's degree with a concentration in science preferred.
- 6 months of animal husbandry or related experience is required.
- An internationally recognized SCUBA diving certification is required.
- Experience working with a diverse collection of animals, including bony fishes, elasmobranchs, and reptiles, is preferred.
- Experience working both independently as well as in a team dynamic a plus.
- Ability to obtain Medical Examiner's authorization to SCUBA dive in accordance with NEAQ Diving Program.
- Valid Driver's License and the willingness to drive a 24' Box Truck.
- Ability to obtain Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (49 CFR 391.41-391.49).
- Good professional judgment, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
New England Aquarium is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. Here we foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet, and we believe a diverse workforce provides experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our work environment.