Applying for Senior Keeper - Aquarist at Oregon Coast Aquarium? Bypass the ATS Black Hole.
Traditional job applications often get trapped in algorithmic filters. With HireMail, uncover verified hiring managers and founders at Oregon Coast Aquarium, generate tailored AI outreach hooks, record personalized video pitches, and dispatch directly through your authenticated Gmail.
Decision-Maker Intel
Recruiters & founders
Video & Voice Pitch
Interactive player embed
AI Live ATS Scraper
Fresh, unposted roles
Senior Keeper - Aquarist
Location
Newport, Oregon, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-7 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
3d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Senior Keeper is responsible for the daily husbandry and maintenance of the animal collection, focusing on fish and invertebrates. This role involves supervising animal care, monitoring water quality, troubleshooting exhibit systems, and serving as a mentor and professional role model for other aquarists.
POSITION: Senior Keeper / Aquarist
REPORTS TO: Curator
DEPARTMENT: Animal Care
POSITION OVERVIEW
Under the general direction of the Curator, the Senior Keeper oversees daily husbandry and operational activities for the aquarium's fish and invertebrate collection. As a senior leader, the incumbent serves as a technical resource, mentor, and professional role model, fostering skill development across the aquarist team while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, life support systems, and exhibit aesthetics.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Animal Husbandry & Clinical Care:
- Supervise and execute daily care, nutrition, and husbandry for all fishes and invertebrates using current best practices.
- Establish feeding standards, research advancing nutritional methods, and recognize dietary or nutritional deficiencies.
- Identify animal health or system irregularities early; independently take corrective action or escalate as appropriate.
- Administer acute emergency care and direct long-term critical care with minimal supervision; accurately calculate medication dosages and partner closely with veterinary staff.
- Maintain comprehensive records of animal accession, disposition, health treatments, and daily logs.
Life Support Systems & Water Quality:
- Monitor exhibit water parameters, perform chemical analyses, and troubleshoot water chemistry imbalances.
- Oversee routine operation and maintenance of filtration packages, supply and return piping, and life support systems (LSS).
- Independently diagnose and resolve mechanical, biological, and chemical system failures, coaching junior staff through troubleshooting steps.
Field Operations, Diving & Specimen Acquisition:
- Conduct exhibit maintenance, cleaning, and specimen acquisition via SCUBA.
- Complete at least 12 open-water dives annually outside of regular aquarium tank maintenance dives.
- Participate in wild specimen collection, safe boat operations, and live animal transport; maintain transport standards without preventable mortality.
Leadership, Mentorship & Public Engagement:
- Serve as a designated mentor, guiding junior aquarists in animal husbandry, LSS troubleshooting, and critical thinking.
- Fulfill delegated supervisory responsibilities as assigned by the Curator.
- Conduct public and VIP tours, assist with volunteer education, support media relations, and contribute to institutional publications.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine Science, Fisheries, or a related field preferred. Equivalent practical experience and training may substitute.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional aquarist experience with captive marine/freshwater fishes and invertebrates.
- Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in aquatic animal physiology, nutrition, biological/mechanical/chemical filtration, and water quality diagnostics.
- Diving Certification: Ability to obtain and maintain AAUS Scientific Diving certification; cold-water diving experience preferred.
- Technology: Proficient with standard workplace software and digital animal record-keeping systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Physical Demands: Prolonged standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing ladders/stairs, and heavy lifting of equipment, feed, and dive gear.
- Environment: Regular exposure to wet, cold, outdoor, and variable marine conditions.
- Operational Readiness: Must maintain physical conditioning for scientific diving, boat handling, and demanding field collections.
Updated 3d 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
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Team size
Growing team
Location
Newport, Oregon, United States
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a public aquarium dedicated to animal management, conservation, and providing AZA services. It serves as a resource for marine life education and research.
Popular Domains
Explore opportunities across specialized functional areas.
Trending Industries
Discover roles in the world's most innovative sectors.
Senior Keeper - Aquarist
Newport, Oregon, United States • Full Time