Lead Aquarist
COOK MUSEUM OF
NATURAL SCIENCE
Reports to: Executive Director of
Cook Museum of Natural Science
Occupational Summary
The Lead Aquarist oversees and participates in the husbandry of the
aquatic specimens, including the maintenance and re-stocking of their exhibits.
Duties include maintaining closed aquatic systems, preventive health care and
the identification of disease; understanding all areas of the animal care
facility with the ability to cover all of the aquatic animal areas. They will
demonstrates a high level of self-direction.
Work also involves initiating and implementing specific husbandry
related projects that may be conducted in the museum or in the field. Must have working knowledge of Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) aquatic care standards and requirements. Must have
working knowledge of US Fish and Wildlife/Federal Permit Requirements for
Endangered Green Sea Turtles.
Primary Duties and
Responsibilities
• Participates
in assigned husbandry duties, i.e. maintenance of assigned exhibits, diet
preparation, feeding, monitoring animal health and maintenance of backup areas
• Routinely
dive exhibits to provide proper animal care and ensure exhibit quality is
maintained
• Maintains
appropriate records
• Involved
in breeding and/or culture of animals or food sources in our collection
• Initiates
and/or assists in the upgrade of exhibits and maintains exhibit stock through
ordering
• Performs
work in a manner that fosters the museum’s mission and reflects its core values
and service standards
• Follows
AZA and US Fish and Wildlife/Federal permit husbandry guidelines for all
aspects of animal care
• Works
with the Director of Exhibits and Visitor Experience with relation to the
exhibit components of the Ocean exhibit and the Rivers and Streams exhibit.
• Works
with the Collections Manager with regard to the live animal collections
software/database and record keeping.
Other Duties and
Responsibilities
• Assists
in upgrade of existing exhibits
• Assists
in development of projects at the museum and in the field
• Supervises
and trains other aquarist staff, volunteers and interns
Knowledge, Skills
and Abilities Required
• Minimum
of three years of experience at the aquarist II level or minimum five years, if
comparable experience, outside the aquarium field
• Demonstrated
expertise in a biological grouping or some similar specialty related to the
position
• Performs
work as a team player and provides a positive leadership role for peers,
colleagues, interns and volunteers
• Knowledge
of salt water ichthyofaunal
• Able
to work well with others and be a team player
• Good
communication skills
• Good
computer skills
• Ability
to use a variety of hand and power tools
• Ability
to Scuba dive
• Ability
to administer CPR, first aid and DAN O2
• Understand
water chemistry
• Working
knowledge of aquarium LSS components and maintenance
• Assess
turtle, fish and invertebrate health
• Disease
treatment of marine organisms
• Basic
plumbing skills
• Understanding
of biological, mechanical and chemical filtration
• Needs
hands on experience with maintenance and care of sea turtles
• Needs
hands on experience with maintenance and care of jelly fish
Preferred Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge
and experience with AZA aquatic care standards
• Knowledge
of US Fish and Wildlife/Federal Permit requirements for Endangered Green Sea
Turtles
• Knowledge
of Animal Care software such as ZIMS, Tracks, or Animal Care.
• Published
an aquarium related technical or scientific paper
• Completed
at least one project aimed at bettering the status of the living collection and
produced a written report on same
• Significant
participation in at least one major exhibit change or upgrade
• Demonstrated ability to engage in public speaking, such as educational programs, members programs, etc.
Educational/Experience Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ichthyology, or zoology: or the equivalent to a degree in experience in a related field
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a related field
License or
Certification Required
• SCUBA
certification
• Driver’s
License
Supervises
• Part
time animal care/husbandry specialists
• Animal
care/husbandry interns
• Animal
care/husbandry volunteers
Working Conditions
• Normal
office environment
• Frequent
wet and slippery surroundings
• Frequent
hot or cold settings
• Frequent
exposure to fumes, smoke, odors, etc.
Physical Demands
• Able
to lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height
• Transporting
organisms, materials, buckets, etc. throughout the museum premises
• Able
to physically access the uniquely challenging exhibit and service areas to
which assigned
• Some
climbing ladders
• Working
in cramped and awkward spaces requiring crouching or crawling
Time Commitments:
• Weekly
schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, but hours can vary
• Willingness
to adjust hours to accommodate the needs of the job
• Possible
nights and weekends
• Must
be available for special events and training
