Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist
Location
San Diego, California, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
4-8 years
Compensation
$34 - $38 per hour
Posted
7h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist is a dynamic role responsible for the health, welfare, and sustainability of Birch Aquarium’s animal ambassador programs, including bird, reptile, and aquatic collection husbandry and enrichment. This position involves direct animal care, health management, husbandry leadership, staff training, and ensuring compliance with local, state, federal, USDA, and AZA standards.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Curator of Birds, the Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist is a dynamic role encompassing a wide range of responsibilities essential for the health, welfare, and sustainability of Birch Aquarium’s animal ambassador programs, including, but not limited to, bird, reptile and aquatic collection husbandry and enrichment. This position combines direct animal care, health management, husbandry leadership, acquisition planning, and professional representation of the institution. The Senior Aquarist ensures exceptional standards of animal health and husbandry, develops and enforces biosecurity protocols, and provides technical training for staff. Leadership responsibilities include supporting and training aquarists, providing work direction to student employees and interns, and coordinating with veterinarians and the Curatorial team. This position ensures compliance with local, state, federal, USDA and AZA standards is upheld across animal areas.
The role also extends into aquatic animal life support and water quality operations, scientific diving, and habitat maintenance, as well as research, outreach, and professional communication on behalf of the aquarium. The Senior Aquarist plays a lead role in the enrichment and animal ambassador program as well as acquisition and transfer of specimens. Must maintain institutional goals, regulatory compliance, animal welfare, and long-term exhibit and collection planning.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in biological science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
Experience in management of staff, volunteers, programs, or projects at zoo, aquarium, or related facility
Four (4) or more years of hands-on experience in penguin, reptile, and bird husbandry within a zoo, aquarium, or similar facility.
Knowledge of penguin, bird, reptile quarantine, medical protocols, disease diagnosis, treatment, and medications.
Ability to provide excellence in guest engagement, public and media related activites
Ability to coordinate animal enrichment across diverse taxa - aquatic and terrestrial
Demonstrated understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering aspects of maintaining biological systems.
Proven experience in the acquisition, collection and transport of penguins and terrestrial animals
Demonstrated knowledge of aquarium life support systems, e.g. temperature sensors, O2, ORP, filters, compressed air, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical
Demonstrated knowledge of water quality testing and analysis of aquarium systems
Demonstrated ability to work well with others
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to exercise sound judgment in the event of animal emergency
SCUBA certification required. Rescue diver certification preferred.
Knowledge of Animal record keeping- ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) preferred.
Updated 7h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
4-8 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
$34 - $38 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Team size
Growing team
Location
San Diego, California, United States
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a non-profit exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. The aquarium showcases over 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates. The interactive museum features research discoveries by Scripps scientists and engages visitors of all ages. Our goal is to promote conservation efforts that protect our ocean planet. We educate visitors on how our world works and inspire them to become stewards of the planet. Our conservation efforts are based on scientific research, and we aim to connect people with nature and with a shared sense of responsibility to care for our planet Earth.
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Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist
San Diego, California, United States • Full Time