Lead Aquarist
Location
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
6+ years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
23h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Lead Aquarist provides daily leadership, training, and mentorship to a team of Aquarists, ensuring exceptional animal care and husbandry standards across multiple exhibits. This role involves coordinating daily operations, collaborating with Curatorial Staff on animal welfare and exhibit development, and participating in veterinary rounds.
Ready to Lead at One of America's Top Aquariums?
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is seeking an experienced Lead Aquarist to join our Life Sciences team. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate animal care professional to combine hands-on husbandry with leadership, mentorship, and exhibit management in a world-class facility housing more than 35,000 animals.
If you're looking to influence animal welfare, develop future aquarists, and grow toward a management career, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do
Provide daily leadership, training, and mentorship to a team of Aquarists.
Ensure exceptional animal care and husbandry standards across multiple exhibits.
Coordinate daily operations, maintenance, enrichment, feeding programs, and recordkeeping.
Collaborate with Curatorial Staff on animal welfare initiatives, collection planning, and exhibit development.
Participate in veterinary rounds and support animal health assessments.
Lead animal moves, introductions, and major husbandry projects.
Assist with hiring, onboarding, and development of Aquarists, interns, and volunteers.
Help shape the future of the department through process improvements and leadership initiatives.
What We're Looking For
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field (or equivalent experience).
6+ years of experience working with captive freshwater and saltwater fish and invertebrates.
Previous leadership or supervisory experience.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with operant conditioning and animal training is a plus.
Ability to meet dive and swim requirements within six months.
Why Join Wonders of Wildlife?
Work in one of the nation's premier aquarium and conservation facilities.
Lead a talented team dedicated to animal welfare and excellence.
Gain experience in exhibit planning, collection management, and leadership development.
Clear growth potential into future Curatorial and management roles.
Make a meaningful impact in conservation, education, and animal care.
Updated 23h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
6+ years
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
Team size
Growing team
Location
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is a 350,000-square-foot wildlife and aquarium destination featuring 1.5 million gallons of exhibits and more than 35,000 animals. Recognized as one of America's leading aquariums, Wonders of Wildlife inspires conservation through immersive experiences that connect guests with the natural world.
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Lead Aquarist
Springfield, Missouri, United States • Full Time