Job Postings

Curator of Marine Aquatics

Facility

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Closing Date
March 7, 2017
Description

Position: Curator of Marine Aquatics

Reports To: Director of Animal Husbandry

Position Summary

The Curator of Marine Aquatics will oversee the care of all animals in quarantine and all marine animals in the collection, as well as supervise all staff caring for animals in these areas. This position will develop, implement and enforce policies and procedures relevant to the personnel and the collection at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The Curator will schedule, assign and direct all personnel involved in the care of these animals, including but not limited to, hiring, firing, present performance evaluations and corrective actions when needed. This individual oversees the training of new staff to this department. This individual will also orchestrate all aspects of animal care, including but not limited to; acquisition, disposition, record keeping, husbandry, enrichment, implementation of balanced and nutritional diets, translocations, medical procedures and vaccinations. The Curator will collaborate with Department Directors on animal habitat designs and renovation, assist in monitoring the Institutional Collection Plan and support the Director of Animal Husbandry in overseeing all relevant public animal programs. The Curator will help with crisis management, safety drills and participate in safety meetings with fellow department representatives when required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between upper management and the veterinarians, animal care staff and registrar regarding animal health, care and habitats.
• Help to evaluate, approve and oversee all animal enrichment and operant conditioning programs.
• Develop and enforce standards of animal care policies and procedures.
• Oversee habitat maintenance and safety as it applies to all AZA, USDA and FWS standards.
• Recommend animal acquisitions and dispositions to upper management.
• Lead others in the research and development of new habitats and renovations.
• Participate with veterinary procedures, immobilizations and translocations.
• Possess a working knowledge of and collaborate with the registrar in maintaining all animal related record keeping, ensuring records are being kept properly.
• Possess a working knowledge and collaborate with the registrar to maintain all state and federal permits required for the legal exhibition, acquisition and disposition of the animal collection. Assist in the application process for new permits as required.
• Provide guidance on appropriate daily data collection within all animal care areas.
• Read keeper daily summary reports to stay informed of animal health changes and needs within the animal care department.
• In collaboration with upper management and human resources; hire, train, present performance evaluations, corrective actions, promotions, demotions, and terminations.
• Responsible for knowing the use of chemical restraint equipment, dart guns and lethal means.
• Initiate and participate in a variety of conservation minded programs inside and outside the AZA, WAZA etc.
• Work directly with upper management in organizing efforts of the crisis management team.
• Monitor pest control program as it applies to animal habitats.
• Knowledge of institutional collection planning and participate in the process.
• Prioritize and track maintenance work requests for habitats and holding areas.
• Lead by example to animal care staff; providing encouragement, coaching, mentoring and opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.
• Develop and nurture professional relationships with all staff.
• Adhere to Loveland Living Planet Aquarium policies and procedures.
• Collaborate in the production of all identification labels and interpretive graphics associated with animal exhibits.
• Represent the department at professional meetings, conferences or in the media as requested by upper management.
• Is required to perform the duties of an aquarist on an as-needed basis.
• Prepared to work irregular hours outside of a normal day.
• Works with guest services and marketing with respect to exhibition, visitor experience and special functions.
• Ensures that the Aquarium has an appropriate presence on and participation in national and international programs for the captive breeding of species, including designating staff to serve roles as institutional representatives, studbook keepers etc.

Education and Pre-requisites

Qualifications

• A minimum 8 years proven experience in an aquarium or zoo environment, demonstrates a proven record of animal husbandry, enrichment and exhibition of a variety fish and invertebrates including 3 years at a management level.
• Knowledge of quarantine protocols and methods for aquatic and terrestrial species.
• Knowledge of venomous species handling and protocols a plus.
• General knowledge of all animal phylum and their characteristics and habits.
• Awareness of current animal issues in and outside the wild.
• Ability to successfully manage the animal collection.
• Understand exhibit design and construction.
• Recognize any deficiencies in exhibit or animal holding facilities.
• Ability to prioritize issues affecting animals and staff.
• Basic knowledge of veterinary procedures and vaccinations.
• Knowledge of annual budget process and ability to operate within departmental budget.
• Knowledge and skills to interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Must have the ability and skill to carry out supervisor responsibilities for a team of 5+ and remain in compliance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• Knowledge of laws and permits regulating acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards and transportation within the US and abroad.
• Knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of zoo record keeping methods and collection management standards.
• Working knowledge of ZIMS.
• Possess excellent communication skills. Must be able to give and take direction: both verbally and written.
• Ability to multi-task as well as delegate.
• Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with other aquarium employees, vendors and the public.
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including weekdays, weekends, holidays and evenings. As a salaried position, the Curator is required to be available on an as needed basis.
• Ability to be observant in the surroundings and pay attention to details.
• Ability to drive or learn to operate aquarium vehicles.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Utah driver’s license.
• CPR/First Aid certification to be obtained upon employment.
• Must possess current, negative drug and TB test results.

Education/Experience

This position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in Zoology, Biology or related field. Partial schooling on the university level, attending AZA professional development courses; practical experience may be substituted for a full degree. A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in a zoological environment with a broad range of taxa including freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates.

Physical Demands of the Job

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job.

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, stand for long periods of time and drive aquarium vehicles.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate objects or controls.
• The employee is frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and stand for long periods for time.

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. LLPA does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected class under federal, state or local laws.

Compensation and benefits

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k. Compensation is negotiable depending on experience.

Application instructions

Click the link below to apply or visit our website at www.thelivingplanet.com/jobs

https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=LvgPlanet&jobId=118078&lang=en_US&source=CC3