Curator / Head Curator
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Reports To: General Manager, Aquarium
Department: L and E Aquarium
Job Purpose:
The job holder is
responsible for the development of the Annual Curatorial plan which includes
the acquisition, maintenance, management and monitoring of all live
exhibits. The delivery of this plan must
ensure capital and operational expenditure is well planned and maintained
within set limits. Manages a team of aquarists, divers and technical staff
ensuring that the highest standards of live display and animal care is
delivered and Dubai Aquarium remains a world class facility. Administers the
diving programme, supervises and trains aquarium staff and contributes to the
development of new exhibits and their promotion
Job Dimensions:
Key Accountabilities:
Financial Management:
• Plan
and manage the annual curatorial budget to achieve agreed objectives and reduce
costs without compromising animal care and display development.
• Ensure
that critical purchases are made to ensure the health of the collection making
sure that the correct processes are followed
• Liaise
both internally and externally to ensure that costs are reduced without
compromising on safety and quality standards
• Monitor
curatorial and technical spending weekly to ensure budget over runs are not
encountered
• Manages
large aquarium-specific Capital expenditure projects and ensure timely and
efficient completion
Operations Management:
• Continually
source animals to ensure displays have sufficient stocking levels.
• Ensure
permitting of all displays adheres to local and international requirements
• Satisfactorily
manage the Life Support system in conjunction with the technical teams to
ensure optimal display conditions and risk mitigation
• Ensure
that animal quarantine and programmes of specimen acquisition align with the
launch programme for new exhibits and the agreed marketing calendar
• Taking
the lead on display-related consultancy and development projects.
• Monitor
water quality appropriate to the needs of the collection.
• Identification
and management of disease through daily checks and veterinary programs
including identification of new disease and development of appropriate remedial
action plans
• In
collaboration with Procurement, source livestock, animal feed and display
requirements to ensure world class exhibits are maintained
• Attends
team daily team briefings as required and conducts weekly curatorial meetings
• Inspects
first-hand daily the exhibits and quarantine areas and liaises with key staff
to maintain knowledge of issues within the collection
• Ensure
full compliance with all Health and Safety requirements to ensure all staff and
guests have a safe and comfortable experience
• Design,
development and review of nutritional programs
• Ensures
departmental operations are in line with best practice industry standards
• Ensures
that all areas of responsibility are reviewed and subjected to a process of
continuous improvement.
• Ensure
that life support systems are adequate for maintaining the collection, and that
water quality is maintained.
• Liaise
with industry professionals (i.e.: Veterinarian etc.) to ensure the health of
the collection.
Staff Management:
• Recruit,
induct, train and manage staff appropriate to the maintenance of exhibit
including the effective maintenance of aquarium-specific plant and equipment
• Interviews
and selects candidates alongside the relevant manager for key positions to
ensure continuity of service delivery
• Prioritizes
and plan teams and own tasks to ensure completion within set timeframes and to
an exceptional standard
• Conducts
formal and informal appraisals for direct reports within various teams
• Ensure
curatorial, dive and technical teams are trained in accordance with their
specific tasks to ensure adherence to industry standards.
• Coaches,
mentors and advises key all staff in the daily duties as required and is
proactive in the performance management of staff including the appraisal
process
Leadership:
• Leads
and develops the curatorial, dive and technical teams to ensure clarity of
riles and functions and delivery to expected standards
• Attend
and participate at scientific/peer meetings on appropriate topics and ensure
communication to team members.
• Behaves
in line with code of conduct and models best-practice to staff
• Communicate
to the public at all levels including the media and within public forums as and
when required and authorized
Reporting:
• Submits
weekly and monthly reports outlining key aquarium parameters (i.e.: Water
Quality, Mortality, Acquisitions/Dispositions etc.) to the General Manager as
required and report the same to Senior Management on key issues when required
Operations Management:
• Continually
source animals to ensure displays have sufficient stocking levels.
• Ensure
permitting of all displays adheres to local and international requirements
• Satisfactorily
manage the Life Support system in conjunction with the technical teams to
ensure optimal display conditions and risk mitigation
• Ensure
that animal quarantine and programmes of specimen acquisition align with the
launch programme for new exhibits and the agreed marketing calendar
• Taking
the lead on display-related consultancy and development projects.
• Monitor
water quality appropriate to the needs of the collection.
• Identification
and management of disease through daily checks and veterinary programs
including identification of new disease and development of appropriate remedial
action plans
• In
collaboration with Procurement, source livestock, animal feed and display
requirements to ensure world class exhibits are maintained
• Attends
team daily team briefings as required and conducts weekly curatorial meetings
• Inspects
first-hand daily the exhibits and quarantine areas and liaises with key staff
to maintain knowledge of issues within the collection
• Ensure
full compliance with all Health and Safety requirements to ensure all staff and
guests have a safe and comfortable experience
• Design,
development and review of nutritional programs
• Ensures
departmental operations are in line with best practice industry standards
• Ensures
that all areas of responsibility are reviewed and subjected to a process of
continuous improvement.
• Ensure
that life support systems are adequate for maintaining the collection, and that
water quality is maintained.
• Liaise
with industry professionals (i.e.: Veterinarian etc.) to ensure the health of
the collection.
Staff Management:
• Recruit,
induct, train and manage staff appropriate to the maintenance of exhibit
including the effective maintenance of aquarium-specific plant and equipment
• Interviews
and selects candidates alongside the relevant manager for key positions to
ensure continuity of service delivery
• Prioritizes
and plan teams and own tasks to ensure completion within set timeframes and to
an exceptional standard
• Conducts
formal and informal appraisals for direct reports within various teams
• Ensure
curatorial, dive and technical teams are trained in accordance with their
specific tasks to ensure adherence to industry standards.
• Coaches,
mentors and advises key all staff in the daily duties as required and is
proactive in the performance management of staff including the appraisal
process
Leadership:
• Leads
and develops the curatorial, dive and technical teams to ensure clarity of
riles and functions and delivery to expected standards
• Attend
and participate at scientific/peer meetings on appropriate topics and ensure
communication to team members.
• Behaves
in line with code of conduct and models best-practice to staff
• Communicate
to the public at all levels including the media and within public forums as and
when required and authorized
Reporting:
• Submits
weekly and monthly reports outlining key aquarium parameters (i.e.: Water
Quality, Mortality, Acquisitions/Dispositions etc.) to the General Manager as
required and report the same to Senior Management on key issues when required
Job Context:
The job holder will
be responsible for the management of live exhibits, dive programs and aquarium
specific maintenance activities with the support of the curatorial, dive and
technical teams.
Ensure that the
highest standards of animals care is maintained across all exhibits and that
the aquarium-specific elements of the facility are well maintained and within
acceptable standards for a world class aquarium
Qualifications, Experience & Skills:
Qualification:
• Graduate
and/or Post-Graduate qualifications in Biology, preferably Marine Biology or
Oceanography or equivalent work experience.
• Advance
SCUBA certification from a recognized training agency.
Experience:
• High
level experience in maintaining an aquarium or similar facility
Skills:
• Computer
skills is a must
Please send CV and
letter of interest to:
Halyna Kitor
HR Director, Talent
Emaar Properties
PJSC
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Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant
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