Senior Aquarist
Location
Syracuse, New York, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-7 years
Compensation
$21 - $21 per hour
Posted
2d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This position is responsible for helping facilitate and supervise the day-to-day husbandry operations in the Aquarium. Primary responsibilities include the care and wellbeing of all animals, maintenance of habitats, managing daily team activities, and mentoring team members.
Position Summary
This position helps supervise and facilitate daily husbandry operations in the Aquarium. Responsibilities include caring for and maintaining the wellbeing of animals, maintaining habitats, overseeing team activities, and mentoring staff.
Key Responsibilities
Preopening/Commissioning Phase
- Assist with animal acquisitions, introductions, acclimations, transfers, and quarantine processes
- Help develop exhibits, holding systems, life support systems, and animal husbandry programs
- Assist in creating SOPs for animal welfare, safety, care, programming, guest interaction, and Life Sciences documentation
- Support staff training and onboarding before opening
- Assist with short- and long-term planning, project execution, and procurement
- Maintain necessary supplies and equipment
Operational Phase
- Supervise Aquatics Department staff to ensure safety, efficiency, education, courtesy, and operational readiness
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal health, safety, animal care, and regulatory requirements
- Coordinate operation and maintenance of life support and technical systems
- Maintain electronic records for animal health, water quality, system maintenance, checks, and animal inventories
- Monitor habitats and improve animal care and habitat standards
- Identify animal health, disease, and water quality concerns and communicate them to veterinary and senior Life Sciences staff
- Maintain animal behaviors in accordance with veterinary health requirements
- Assist with policies, procedures, reports, new habitats, and educational programs
- Collaborate with Guest Experience, Aquarium Foundation, volunteers, and educators to deliver engaging guest experiences
- Perform exhibit maintenance and husbandry diving as required
- Provide leadership when the Assistant Curator or General Curator is absent
- Mentor, motivate, recognize, and provide feedback to team members
- Perform other duties as assigned
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in animal care required
- Open Water certification required
- First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification preferred; training may be provided
- Degree in wildlife/marine biology or relevant professional experience required
- Experience with freshwater and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals
- Strong knowledge of animal husbandry, disease prevention and treatment, breeding, and rearing techniques
- Knowledge of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment
- Extensive understanding of animal behavior, nutrition, and environmental requirements
- Experience caring for flora and fauna in a public aquarium setting preferred
- Experience working with regulatory authorities and accrediting organizations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong teamwork, interpersonal, organizational, communication, listening, presentation, and decision-making skills
- Creative problem-solving ability and willingness to take on new projects
Physical & Other Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, bend, crouch, climb, work in confined spaces, and lift up to 50 lbs
- May operate aquarium vehicles, heavy machinery, power tools, and work around chemicals
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing
- Ability to accurately use moderately complex computer systems
- Ability to visually and audibly identify emergency situations
- Must meet physical, visual, and hearing requirements of the role
- May require immunizations, including TB testing and rabies vaccination
Updated 2d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-7 years
Certifications
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
$21 - $21 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
ZoOceanarium
Team size
Growing team
Location
Syracuse, New York, United States
ZoOceanarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace.
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Senior Aquarist
Syracuse, New York, United States • Full Time