Aquarist

Job Posting Title:Aquarist

Req ID:

10157677

Job Description:

Aquarists are professional aquatic animal keepers who provide for all aspects of husbandry for the aquatic animal collections at the Seas with Nemo & Friends and The Land under the direction of Animal Care management and guidance of Senior Animal Care Specialists. An Aquarist has mastered the scope of animal care skills related to multiple aquatic species and habitats attributed to a Seas Husbandry Associate through work and educational experience. An Aquarist engages in and develops specialized husbandry skills through job-related training, enhanced leadership behavior in interactions with peers and leaders, and increased skill at engaging park guests by providing interpretation of their role and sharing their experiences.

This is a Full Time position.

You will report into the Zoological Manager for The Seas.

What You Will Do

• Perform technical aspects of aquarium animal husbandry at a high level and develop additional technical skill sets while effectively performing husbandry routines.
• Demonstrate proficiency in multiple species, ecosystem routines, or team subsets.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and proactive thought to solving day-to-day challenges relating to animal care, routines, and processes.
• Demonstrate commitment to and increasing skills and promoting guest interactions and experiences
• Assist in prioritizing training goals and enrichment methods.
• Participate in the training of new keepers/team members.
• Develop and support the team through regular coaching and feedback sessions.
• Provide reliable and efficient communication during daily team meetings. These communications include, but are not limited to animal management challenges, training team updates, operational demands, operational improvements, daily tasks and enrichment, and best practices.
• Exhibit independent decision making in the day-to-day operation as appropriate.
• Work with their leader to establish and actively pursue a list of developmental behaviors that assist in personal growth and team/operational efficiency.
• Complete work with a limited degree of supervision
• Serve as an informal resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Consistently demonstrate the Disney 5-keys and Seas Team - Norms & Commitments - 2025.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 3+ years of paid AZA animal experience
• Post high school education = 0-9 years
• Combined education/experience minimum = 5 years
  • (Preferred qualification: Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Zoology or other related field).
• SCUBA certified, CPR and First Aid certified
  • Be able to move 50 pounds on a regular basis
  • Carry, assemble, and don SCUBA tanks and gear daily
• SCUBA Rescue Certified

Required Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at (opens in new window).

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $51,500.00-$68,900.00 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

Park Ops

Job Posting Primary Business:

Animal Progrms & Environmntal Initiatives (WDW)

Primary Job Posting Category:

Animal Programs Aquarist

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-08-14