Senior Ambassador Animal Trainer - Harborview Aquarium

Position Type & Salary

• Full Time Salaried
• $21/hour
  
  

Position Summary

This position is responsible for helping facilitate and supervise the day-to-day husbandry operations within the Ambassador Animal department of the Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include the behavioral conditioning, care and wellbeing of all ambassador animals under the facility’s care; maintenance of all habitats; managing daily activities of team members, and mentoring team members in training/enrichment activities. Additionally, this position is responsible for leading public presentations with the facility’s wide variety of ambassador animals, which include small mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates, and maintaining a positive team approach within the Life Sciences Department.

Duties & Responsibilities

Preopening/Commissioning Phase

• Participate in the execution of animal acquisitions, introductions, and acclimations.
• Assist in the development and establishment of effective exhibits and holding systems, including the life support systems, aesthetic, and animal husbandry components.
• Assist in creating standard operating procedures for welfare, safety, animal care, programing, and guest interaction as well as all paperwork associated with the life sciences team.
• Participate in animal transfers and quarantine processes following veterinary and regulatory partners.
• Assist in the training and onboarding of new staff prior to opening.
• Assist in both short and long term planning and project execution.
• Assist with ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment.
• Assist the Assistant Curator in the creation of the animal ambassador program. Operational Phase
• Develop and train animal behavior and enrichment daily activities as directed by the Assistant Curator.
• Lead team members in daily husbandry, training, and enrichment activities.
• Ensure welfare of all ambassador animals, reporting potential issues to Assistant Curator and work with General Curator, Assistant Curator, and veterinary team to solve and/or implement care plans to address any concerns.
• Mentor Trainers to ensure behavioral conditioning protocols and habitats meet compliance of facility specific policies and procedures.
• Present public animal chats, training, and enrichment demonstrations consistent with the facility’s philosophy and procedures on an assigned schedule. Assist Assistant Curator with training and mentoring team members in presenting demonstrations.
• Assist with and support animal/guest interactions and encounters on a regular basis. Assist in developing new guest experiences.
• Review proposed training & enrichment plans from team members and work with Assistant Curator to give feedback and then approve these plans. Support trainers in developing and implementing plans.
• Assist in area training for new employees. Manage daily work schedule for trainers, working with the Assistant Curator.
• Support development of husbandry and other departmental protocols.
• Assist in the preparation and operation of special events after normal business hours as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic records on animal health, water quality, system maintenance, system checks and stock reports.
• Monitor and identify animal health concerns and water quality concerns.
• Supervise and undertake daily operations within the Life Sciences Department to ensure highest level of safety, courtesy, education, efficiency and operational readiness at all times.
• Maintain positive representation to professional agencies, institutions and various committees.
• Execute routine husbandry, health and safety procedures to maintain federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Provide animal care and ensure habitats meet compliance of facility-specific policies and procedures.
• Perform duties to reduce loss/waste, control costs and accurately communicate expenses.
• Proactively assist in the implementation of new habitats and educational opportunities to maximize guest experience.
• Assist in emergency situations to minimize damage, loss or injury to guests, team members, animals or company property.
• In collaboration with all departments, ensure habitats and programs engage, educate and entertain diverse audiences.
• Work closely with all departments to ensure volunteers and educators provide exemplary guest service and engagement.
• Provide leadership in the absence of the Assistant Curator and General Curator.
• Perform daily dive requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Experience, Skills, & Qualification

• Three years experience with animal husbandry required; training animals in a show or presentation capacity highly preferred.
• Proficient in operant conditioning in a progressively managed facility and implementation of complex, behavior-based enrichment.
• Open Water Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire required.
• First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification are preferred but will be provided if needed.
• Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant work experience required.
• Proven aptitude for developing compelling habitats preferred.
• Experienced animal care staff with a strong background in reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals required.
• Strong working knowledge of animal husbandry, disease prevention and treatment, and breeding/rearing techniques.
• Working knowledge of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment.
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements, and environmental needs of a diverse animal collection.
• Experience in the care of flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting.
• Experience working with relevant authorities and accrediting associations.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must have strong teamwork, interpersonal, and organizational skills conducive to a positive work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills.
• Creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge.
  
  

Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.

Abilities

The individual must possess the following abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some or a combination of the abilities.

• Requires walking/ standing for long periods of time, bending and crouching, climbing, working in small/tight spaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• May require driving aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• Requires the ability to perform the physical, visual and hearing requirements in the working conditions above.
  
  

May require immunizations including TB testing and rabies.

Other

• Upon employment all team members are required to comply with the standards, rules and regulations, which may be established by the Company and updated from time-to-time. Team members who violate property rules or have irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• The leisure business functions seven days a week. Due to the seasonal nature of the industry, team members may be required to work varying schedules, weekends, holidays and overtime to reflect the business needs of the property. Team members may also be required to attend group and/or department meetings in addition to the work shift as necessary.
• This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that a team member in this position may be asked to perform.