Animal Care Specialist II (Bird & Mammal)

POSITION SUMMARY:


As part of the OdySea Aquarium animal team, this position has the potential to work with a diverse collection of animals including (but not limited to) California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, African penguins, reptiles, and small exotic land animals. A central responsibility of this position will be to take initiative in daily operation of their assigned area (i.e. habitat cleaning, maintenance, food preparation, enrichment management, etc.), educational animal presentations and engaging interactions with guests. Individual will demonstrate application of operant conditioning techniques within the training department and throughout the aquarium to enhance animal welfare and visitor experience opportunities. Individual will be integral in educating and interacting with aquarium guests about species survival and conservation through presentations.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for maintaining the highest level of animal welfare including both proactive and reactive identification, communication, and management of areas of opportunity.
• Responsible for maintaining and progressing behavioral training of animals in assigned area and support animal training for Animal Care Specialist I's
• Participate in educational animal presentations, shows, and interactive programs within the Aquarium.
• Represent OdySea Aquarium off property through educational animal appearances at schools, events (including media), and other public engagements.
• Representation of OdySea Aquarium through positive guest interactions and experiences daily.
• Assists with implementation, execution and compliance of all department Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist in training, progressing and mentoring of intern and junior team members.
• Assist in creating and implementing enrichment plans for the department
• Support development of exhibits, educational planning, research, and conservation activities.
• Inspect and maintain exhibits and related facilities daily for cleanliness, safety, and structural integrity.
• Ensure accurate and appropriate record keeping is maintained for assigned area.
• Communicate effectively with the rest of the Animal Care team and departmental leadership.
• Be a subject matter expert with different taxon other than assigned area. Work collaboratively in other animal areas within the Animal Care & Education Department, while maintaining assigned area operation
• Exercise critical thinking skills and solution-based thinking when navigating team relations, animal behavior, guest experience and daily operation
• Ensure adherence to aquarium standards and procedures and compliance with the requirements of various professional associations and regulatory agencies. Maintain highest level of animal husbandry and training practices.
• Lead daily operation without direct supervision from the leadership team
• Build knowledge of industry innovations and progressive animal care through professional meetings and conferences, trade journals, and communication with professional colleagues.
• Represent the Animal Care Department and OdySea Aquarium to visiting investors, professionals, guests, and media.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by Director, Curator and/or Manager.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology, Marine Science or related discipline preferred, equivalent alternate experience accepted.
• 4 years paid experience preferred, training exotic marine and/or terrestrial animals at a zoological facility, utilizing operant conditioning
• SCUBA certification preferred or to be obtained within one year of onboarding.
• Excellent dynamic, public speaking skills

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be able to access animal pools, exhibits, and enclosures.
• Must be a strong swimmer, with the ability to pass departmental swim test.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, or irregular hours dictated by facility or animal needs.
• Experience with neonate and juvenile rearing preferred.
• Life support experience preferred.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, as well as walk.
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, or crawl.
• Required to frequently talk and hear.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance and agility of movement which might interfere with ability to work.
• Specific vision requirements for this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Must be able to take directional cues directly or indirectly.
• Ability to work in an environment that may be loud at times.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including occasional extreme hot or cold, and wet and/or humid conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.