Facility

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Closing Date

Description

Position: Saltwater Aquarist

Reports To: Director of Animal Husbandry

Position Summary:

Saltwater Aquarist is responsible for providing the highest possible quality of care to the animals in his/her care. This responsibility includes the set-up, maintenance and care of aquarium exhibits, preparing and dispensing food. The individual will maintain current on the husbandry and natural history of all fish, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians in the aquarist’s area of responsibility. The Aquarist also ensures that all animal dispositions are conducted in a humane and ethical manner. The individual has the knowledge and ability to act as a resource for volunteers and interns.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains live exhibits and specimen holding facilities at a high level of quality
• Performs general husbandry functions without direct supervision.
• Works well in a team environment and follows directions easily.
• Maintain the highest level of cleanliness, and aesthetic and artistic quality of the displays.
• Maintain proper water quality to ensure the health of the organisms and high water clarity.
• Ensure the proper care of life support equipment by adhering to a regular preventative maintenance schedule and by keeping all items clean.
• Ensure proper lighting levels are achieved and maintained.
• Complete inspection rounds at least twice daily to check status of all exhibit and holding/quarantine systems and their occupants. Make daily observations of animals for health and behavioral assessment and report suspected incidence of disease immediately to the management.
• Administer medications as needed under the direction of the Curator of Marine Aquatics, Director of Husbandry, or Veterinarian.
• Report all non-function life support equipment to the Curator of Marine Aquatics, or in emergency situations, Life Support Systems Manager.
• Assist with system design and fabrication during renovations
• Prepare food and feed organisms.
• Maintain all established records in accordance with established practice and policy (acquisition, disposition, tank records, water quality records, etc.).
• Maintain a clean work area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours.
• Adhere to all safety protocols (fire, diving, etc.).
• Demonstrate flexibility in completing tasks, which may extend after normal working hours or to weekends and holidays.
• Collaborate with colleagues from other aquariums and zoos in aquarium techniques.
• Present workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and behind the scenes tours.
• Provide alternate coverage for other aquarists as assigned.
• Ensure all husbandry areas are kept clean, organized and hazard free.

Education and Pre-requisites

Critical Skills/Competencies:

• Strong identification skills, ability to identify all animals and plants under your care.
• Extensive knowledge of biological processes as they pertain to water chemistry, physiology, animal health and psychological well-being.
• Possesses familiarity with the natural history of all animals and plants in their section, including a good understanding of the requirements of individual species in captivity
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications:

Saltwater Aquarist must have previous exposure to aquariums and/or zoos and a background related to living organisms. Experience with, understanding of, and aptitude for maintaining fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles is essential. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required

A college degree (A.A, A.S. B.A. or B.S.) is preferred with an emphasis on biology/zoology or science course work, or equivalent hands on professional or volunteer experience/knowledge may be considered

One (1) year experience caring for animals in a public aquarium or zoological facility
Possess a valid driver’s license and obtain a Utah driver’s license within 6 months of hire date

Physical Demands of the Job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to walk up and down ladders.
• Ability to work with various cleaning chemicals.
• Ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Hot and cold environments.
• Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions.
• Elevated platforms.
• Aquarium habitats.
• Uneven surfaces.
• Confined spaces.
• Underwater environments.
• Noisy workspaces.

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 protected class under federal, state or local laws.

Compensation and benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off, etc.

Application instructions

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

https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=LvgPlanet&jobId=138301&lang=en_US&source=CC3