Senior Quarantine Specialist: Aquatic

Applications are open for a full-time Senior Quarantine Specialist: Aquatic at the Fort Wayne Zoo. This role offers the opportunity to work with teleost fish, elasmobranchs, aquatic invertebrates, and maintain large saltwater and hellbender freshwater systems, alongside cross-training with terrestrial quarantine and hospitalized species.

Position Overview & Benefits This is a year-round, 40-hour/week position. Full-time benefits include health, life, and long-term disability insurance; a 403b plan with matching; Employee Assistance Program; paid time off, holidays, health and wellness days, and parental leave; plus optional dental, vision, life, and pet insurance. Team perks include a free staff membership, concessions and retail discounts, development opportunities, and appreciation programs.

The Senior Quarantine Specialist provides daily animal care for newly arriving species by following quarantine protocols, monitoring health, and performing husbandry practices such as operant conditioning, enrichment, and enclosure furnishing design. While focusing on aquatic quarantine, this role assists with all quarantine residents, hospital facilities, medical treatments, and positive guest experiences.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Animal Care Supervisors, Area Curators, and Staff Veterinarians to establish quarantine procedures and design species-appropriate enclosures, furnishings, and husbandry protocols

• Prepare, clean, disinfect, and disassemble quarantine and hospital enclosures, transport crates, and department spaces

• Maintain aquatic quarantine systems, including water quality, testing, and acclimation procedures

• Provide species-appropriate food, water, enrichment, and operant conditioning to advance animal training, health, and wellbeing

• Monitor animals, conduct wellbeing assessments, and maintain accurate written and digital records of weights, behavior, observations, and treatments

• Assist Veterinary Technicians with daily treatments of hospitalized animals and hand-rearing as needed

• Care for injured or orphaned wildlife and coordinate transport to licensed rehabilitators or between zoos

• Operate vehicles to transport animals, supplies, and equipment, and pick up local medications and supplies

• Perform minor facility repairs and maintain equipment, tools, and supplies

• Engage with guests informally and through formal presentations while supporting Zoo operations, education, and diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging initiatives

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in an animal-related field preferred

• Three years of experience with diverse taxonomic groups in a zoological setting required

• Demonstrated ability maintaining aquatic habitats and systems preferred

• Valid driver's license required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of animal care, handling, natural history, and welfare assessment concepts for diverse species

• Ability to remain composed in high-stress situations during feeding, transfers, restraint, or medical treatment

• Ability to identify native browse (trees and shrubs) and safely operate specialized tools (ladders, trimmers, mowers, hand drills)

• Strong organizational, troubleshooting, time management, and written/verbal communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to handle confidential information

• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and irregular hours while maintaining reliable attendance

• Ability to follow safety regulations and serve as a tactful, professional goodwill ambassador for the Zoo

Physical Demands Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Operate standard office equipment and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds, navigate confined workspaces with coworkers, and stand, sit, and travel across assigned areas regularly

• Perform detailed, focused work both indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures and wet, icy, or muddy conditions

• Potential exposure to hazardous materials, fumes, dirt, dust, venomous or dangerous animals, zoonotic diseases, noxious plants, and biting insects