Lead Animal Keeper - Aquatics

Responsible for the daily care of the aquatic animal collection within the LIFE exhibit.  The Lead Animal Keeper of Aquatics will conduct water quality testing, maintain life support systems, oversee dive operations and perform conservation-based keeper talks that include hands on live animal interactions with Orlando Science Center guests. Additionally, the Lead Animal Keeper will mentor Animal Keepers, Assistant Animal Keepers, volunteers, and interns within LIFE. The lead also provides administrative and operational support to the Animal Care Manager, with emphasis on daily operations and scheduling, to ensure quality control.   The Lead Aquatic Animal Keeper may be cross trained to assist in staff coverage within the Swamp, Rainforest and Animal Ambassador areas in addition to their primary aquatic responsibilities.

Essential Functions

• Prepare and feed daily ration of frozen, fresh, and dry commercial foods. 
• Maintain exhibit aesthetics through regular cleaning of habitats and exhibits including underwater exhibit maintenance.
• Present public programs with and without live animals to diverse groups on a microphone.
• Participates in departmental and special events both at the science center and off property. 
• Keeps up to date records and logs on animals’ diets, health, and husbandry.

• Trains and oversees staff, interns, adult, and youth volunteers on all OSC SOPs including proper animal handling procedures and basic husbandry and gives feedback regarding staff daily duties.

• Represent Orlando Science Center in a professional manner with all guests and staff.
• May act as an Institutional Representative for designated Species Survival Plan.
• Acts as OSC’s Dive Safety Officer and performs associated duties 
• Proficient in the operation of aquatic exhibits including life support systems and maintenance.
• Designated areas of LSS supervision include all Ocean gallery exhibits (including shark, live coral and touch tank), the gator/turtle exhibit in the Swamp gallery, the cichlid exhibit in the Rainforest gallery and all aquatic holding pools including quarantine.
• Proficient at opening and closing duties within all areas of the LIFE exhibit. 
• Monitor and observe animal’s health and welfare and report any concerns to the Animal Care Manager.
• Maintains animal records using ZIMS record keeping system and daily logs
• Performs necropsies on fish species as needed.

• Administers medicines and routine medical care to OSC’s living collection.

• Oversees department intern and volunteer program including training.
• Oversees Assistant Animal Keepers, and Animal Keepers in the absence of the Animal Care Manager. 
• Develop educational content and conservation messaging for public programs, hands-on activities, blogs or other digital platforms that focuses on animal care in collaboration with Animal Care Manager.
• Acts as part of a ride out crew during severe weather to ensure animal health and safety and to assist as needed for facility support.     
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

 Minimum Qualifications 

• Education: Associate degree in an animal science, biology, or related science field; A Bachelor’s degree in an animal science, biology, or related science field experience is preferred  
• Experience & Certifications: Applicants should possess the equivalent of three years’ experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, park or a similar facility including animal husbandry and public programming.
  1. Experience with life support systems, water chemistries and basic aquatic animal husbandry in an aquarium setting.
  2. Must be comfortable and willing to work in and around water
  3. Employee must have a valid driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record as stipulated by OSC’s insurance carrier, and be willing to drive an OSC vehicle for business purposes. 
  4. Employee must be willing to obtain provided CPR and First Aid certification.   
  5. SCUBA certification from a nationally recognized organization at Dive Master level or above.
  6. Must provide proof of negative tuberculosis (TB) screening within six months prior to employment and annually thereafter.
  7. Must be willing to maintain necessary vaccinations as required (rabies).

  Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal sciences, zoology, or related field.
• Experience with live coral systems.
• Experience with aquatic quarantine protocols.
• Knowledge of AZA standards and requirements.
• Must be able to pass a swim test upon employment.
• Must be proficient in all Microsoft Office Software.
• Must be highly motivated, organized, and demonstrate a willingness to adapt positively to corporate change.
• Experience speaking in front of large, diverse audiences.

 Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

 Physical Demands

• Ability to remain in a stationary position.  
• Moves throughout the museum.   
• Ascends/descends stairs throughout the museum. 
• Ascends/descends ladders or other equipment to perform various tasks. 
• Observes and reacts to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners. 
• Communicates and exchanges accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone. 
• Operates a computer and/or office equipment efficiently and accurately.
• Manipulates and moves components weighing up to 80 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level. 
• Occasionally works in outdoor environments. 
• Frequently works in indoor environments.
• Must be comfortable in and around water
• Must be comfortable working on slippery, wet and uneven surfaces
• Kneeling and Crouching (frequently) 
• Weight Levels – Lift, Push, Pull
  1. Up to 80 pounds

 Expected Hours of Work & Travel

• This position is full time and must be able to work weekends, holidays, and after hour events as needed. 
• Travel throughout the Central Florida area will be required to pick up supplies and program materials.  

 Telecommuting
This position is required to be onsite 100% of the time. 

 Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.