Senior Aquarist, Adso (Full-Time)

Senior Aquarist, ADSO (Full-Time)
ROLE & LEVEL/GRADE: P3/5
Department: Aquarium
Reports to: Curator of Animal Husbandry/DSO
Summary
Provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices; keeps exhibits, reserve tanks, support equipment, and workspaces well maintained to Museum standards; participates in the acquisition/disposition, transport, and acclimation of specimens; participates in the design, construction, and maintenance of exhibits and reserve tanks, including life support material and equipment, as assigned. Fully accountable for animals and systems under care in assigned areas. Will be responsible for providing coverage for other areas as assigned. Will be the primary contact for assigned areas. Participates, taking a lead role, in planning and implementation of special projects (i.e., new exhibits, renovations of existing exhibits, exhibit enhancements, collection of animals, propagation of animals). Serves as an advisor and mentor to Husbandry staff on all aspects of husbandry procedures and protocols. Acts as a daily area supervisor, assisting Management staff in training husbandry staff and volunteers, coordinating coverage needs, ensuring exhibit standards are met, and working with staff to complete projects. As a dual role, this position will also serve as the Assistant Dive Safety Officer, supporting and promoting safe diving practices both on-site at the Museum and in the field. The ADSO position is responsible for dive gear inventory and maintenance. The ADSO must exhibit role model behavior for other divers and be knowledgeable in the Museum’s procedures regarding dive emergencies. The ADSO will serve as the department’s volunteer dive program coordinator. Responsibilities include recruiting and training new dive volunteers, training new dive volunteers, and keeping volunteers informed.
Key Responsibilities

• Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as needed.
• Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits, and reserve tanks to check the status and identify and report potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.
• Observes and recognize medical conditions that may require attention and reports observations. Discusses the best course of therapy with veterinary and Curatorial staff.
• Executes collection trips while being fully accountable for the finances and safety of staff participating. Ensures adequate animal holding facilities in accordance with the biological requirements of the specimens.
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Assists with the maintenance of Museum dive equipment.
• Works with Curatorial staff to initiate and oversee viable breeding, husbandry and conservation programs for species within the collection.
• Maintain a strong knowledge base on diving industry standards, physiology, equipment, and techniques to ensure the Museum complies with all relevant safety standards.
• Assist with dive training, check out dives, dive medical examinations, and oversee CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration training. Maintain necessary records.
• Act as daily area supervisor to assist Curatorial staff with the management of husbandry staff.
• Ensures that goals for an excellent visitor experience are met and maintained.
• Assist with evaluating and monitoring all Museum diving activities to ensure compliance with the Frost Science Dive Safety Manual and OSHA regulations.
• Performs water quality tests on a rotational basis.
• Coordinates daily activities through effective communication with staff and volunteers.
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends.
• Researches species to determine established or new husbandry techniques; Conducts literature review or hands-on research.
• Follows established feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to maintain specimens at a healthy weight. Develops strategies to get in appetent specimens to feed. Monitors weights of specimens.
• Maintains current knowledge of all specimens under their care and their natural history (biology and environmental needs) and husbandry requirements through hands-on experience, upkeep with current literature, keeper exchange programs, and symposium participation (as approved).
• Coordinates the volunteer dive program, including the onboarding and training of new volunteer divers.
• Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs, and tours.
• Provides backup support to other departments as needed.
• Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to maintain nutrition and vitamin content to keep specimens at peak health.
• Cleans backup areas, including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water, and pest control.
• Responds to the diver, life-support, and animal-related emergencies, at times after hours.
• Maintaining the displays' cleanliness and artistic quality through cleaning acrylic and decor, scrubbing algae, and removing debris to meet established Museum standards.
• Utilizes various feeding techniques and develops new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet to all specimens in exhibits and reserve tanks housing multiple specimens and species.
• Prepares food and feeds assigned fish and invertebrate collection, as well as cross-coverage for birds, reptiles, and plants in accordance with dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment, and utensils.
• Serve on the Dive Control Board.
• Participates in field collection trips using appropriate equipment (scuba gear, nets, seines, hook, and line), often taking a lead role in the process.
• Other duties as assigned or required.
• Establish and maintain an environment conducive to the health and well-being of all animals within the Museum’s collection.
• Maintains live food holding tanks and cultures, as assigned.
• Coordinates animal physicals of specimens as needed in conjunction with Curatorial staff.
• Maintains water quality standards and adjusts parameters as needed, determining appropriate maintenance schedules.
• Performs all maintenance required to maintain water quality, animal care, and life support systems.
• Participates in system design and fabrication in keeping with animal behavior and biological needs.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of and skill in veterinary and husbandry procedures concerning fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic life.
• Ability to follow laws and regulations relating to the care of wildlife in accordance with the Museum and industry best practices.
• Able to work well with supervisors and staff.
• Ability to manage and impart information to a range of clientele, staff members and/or media sources.
• Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to mentor and train new interns, volunteers and staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively to implement Museum and departmental goals.
• Skill in organizing resources and maintaining priorities.
• Ability to use hand and power tools.
• Skill in database management.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Ability to work holidays, weekends and a non-traditional work week as well as respond to after-hours emergencies.
• Knowledge of life support systems and water quality parameters for aquatic species.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional business relationships with co-workers, volunteer staff, interns, colleagues at other facilities and outside vendors.
• Ability to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation of curatorial staff.
• Must have keen observation skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.
• Ability to construct and operate aquatic Life Support Systems, including plumbing and carpentry.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials using basic computer skills in Word, Excel, internet navigation, e-mail and spreadsheet programs.

Qualifications

• Driver’s license or ability to get one.
• Boat handling experience and field collection experience is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological or Environmental Science is preferred. Associated degree in Biological or Environmental Science required.
• Previous experience in aquatic animal husbandry at an aquarium or zoo or related facility in full-time role for at least 4 years (work in an AZA accredited facility is preferred).
• Divemaster or higher SCUBA certification

Physical Requirements & Work Environment
The physical requirements stated represent those necessary for an individual to fulfill the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made for qualified individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move from 50 to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to work in high and low/ places. Work is performed both indoors and in outdoor settings. Outdoor work is subject to temperatures up to 100 degrees, rain, humidity, and sun. Work will also be conducted on a boat with the same outdoor conditions already listed.
Clearance Requirements

• Background clearance
• Drug screening as part of the Drug Free Workplace Program.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. Frost Science values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.