Animal Care Supervisor

As a member of the OdySea Aquarium zoological leadership team, this position oversees an assigned animal collection within the Animal and Education Department, including Ambassador, Penguin, Otter, or Sea Lion areas, along with assigned Animal Care Specialists. The position provides leadership in animal husbandry, training, behavioral management, enrichment, guest experiences, education, and conservation. The individual promotes the correct understanding and application of operant conditioning and behavioral modification throughout the Animal Care team and aquarium to enhance animal wellbeing. Opportunities for cross-training may include Asian small-clawed otters, African penguins, two-toed sloths, California sea lions, and various bird species.

Responsibilities include the direct daily supervision of team members and oversight of the husbandry, training, safety, and overall wellbeing of animals within the assigned collection. The position requires advanced knowledge and application of operant conditioning techniques, including group management and acclimation. Duties include hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, managing timecards, conducting performance reviews, addressing performance concerns, and supporting team development. The position demonstrates budgetary responsibility through appropriate ordering and use of department resources and assists with developing, implementing, and maintaining department Standard Operating Procedures, training programs, safety protocols, and regulatory or professional association requirements.

The employee serves as a liaison between the Animal Care & Education Department and other aquarium departments, participating in meetings and collaborative projects as needed. Responsibilities include developing and supervising educational animal presentations, shows, encounters, tours, interactive programs, and special events. The position participates in collection planning, exhibit development and design, education and programming initiatives, research, conservation projects, animal acquisition, transportation, acclimation, and training. The employee develops and implements advanced enrichment plans, regularly inspects exhibits and facilities for cleanliness and structural integrity, and ensures accurate animal and departmental records are maintained.

The position works closely with Animal Health, Animal Care & Conservation, Life Support, Engineering & Maintenance, Dive Operations, Guest Relations, and other departments to ensure habitats, exhibits, animal care practices, and guest programs meet high standards for animal welfare and visitor experience. The employee represents OdySea Aquarium through positive guest interactions and may interact with investors, professionals, visitors, and media. The position provides formal and informal educational presentations that promote understanding of species survival, conservation, and animal care. Other duties may be assigned by the Curator or Director.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology, Marine Science, or a related discipline, at least five years of professional experience working directly with animals in a zoological setting, and at least three years of leadership experience. SCUBA certification is required, along with successful completion of a dive physical and departmental swim evaluation for participation in the dive safety program. Candidates must have excellent public speaking and showmanship skills, strong critical thinking and solution-based reasoning abilities, and the ability to appropriately handle sensitive information. Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours based on animal needs is required.

The position requires computer and Microsoft Office proficiency and the ability to physically access animal pools, exhibits, and enclosures. Employees must be able to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds; stand for extended periods; walk and run; use hands and arms for handling and reaching; and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and crawl. Frequent talking and hearing are required, along with adequate vision, smell, hearing, touch, balance, and agility to safely perform job duties. Specific vision requirements include close and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Employees must be able to follow directional cues and work in environments that may be loud, hot, cold, wet, or humid. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening and a background check is required. Animal or plant allergies must be controllable through medication or appropriate personal protective equipment.