Wonders of Wildlife · Missouri · posted 13 days ago
Job Overview: Wonders of Wildlife located in Springfield, MO is seeking a dynamic and driven AQUARIST to join our team! This person will work under the supervision of the Curatorial Staff. This individual will ensure and promote effective and efficient care of the department’s animal collection. Wonders of Wildlife and Dogwood Canyon are committed to developing our team by offering career ladders so that employees can gain knowledge, skills and abilities based on achieving and maintaining the job criteria to advance their careers. Essential Functions for Aquarist I: • Responsible for the daily husbandry and ensuring proper care of all animals; including preparation of diets, medical care, and maintenance of animal exhibit space. • Assists Aquarist II and Lead Aquarist in initiating conservation programs. • Coordinates daily activities though effective communication with staff and volunteers. • Responsible for daily record keeping and observations • Assist museum staff & visitors as needed in a pleasant, professional and courteous manner. • Performs other job-related duties as assigned in order to achieve the goals and mission of the museum. • Must adhere to all company/department safety standards and policies. • Must be open to working mandatory/approved overtime. • Must be open to working weekends/weekdays/nights when necessary/critical to support the business. • Must be able to cover shifts at affiliate Conservation Attraction properties. • Must have an approved driving record and operate a company vehicle if required/applicable. Essential Functions for Aquarist II: In addition to Essential Functions for Aquarist I: • Assist vet staff with creation and implementation of animal diets. • Assists Lead Aquarist and Curatorial staff in conservation programs. • Oversee training and education of volunteers and interns; provide mentorship for less experienced staff. • Completes daily activities though effective communication with staff and volunteers. • Responsible for daily record keeping and observations. • Participates in educational talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the Museum. • Assists life support, water quality, dive staff, maintenance, and veterinary staff monitoring water quality and life support systems, as required. • Performs other job-related duties as assigned in order to achieve the goals and mission of the museum. • Participate as an active member of professional affiliations such as AZA, ZAA, or AAZK. Essential Functions for Lead Aquarist: In addition to Essential Functions for Aquarist I & II: • Responsible to verify all daily animal records are complete, accurate and are properly organized. • Establish and maintain an environment conducive to the health and well-being of all animals within WOW’s collection. • Works with the life support, water quality, dive staff, maintenance, and veterinary staff monitoring water quality and life support systems, as required. • Works with the Curatorial team in initiating and overseeing conservation programs. • Insures ample supplies and equipment for departmental activities. • Coordinates daily activities though effective communication with staff and volunteers. • Functions as team leader to mentor and train less experienced staff in all aspects of aquatic animal husbandry. • Assists Curatorial team in the development and establishment of effective aquatic exhibits and holding systems, including life support systems, aesthetic and animal husbandry components, and animal acquisitions. MINIMUM Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education for Aquarist I: • A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion of WOW. • Preferred two years of experience in a facility working with captive fresh and saltwater fishes, and invertebrates. • General knowledge for water quality and life support systems. • Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal. • Ability to pass all required physicals and swim test to meet dive standards, within 1 year. • Requires walking/standing approximately 75% of the time, sitting 10% of the time, forward bending and crouching 15% of the time, lifting up to 50 lbs. • Requires proficiency with Personal Computer (P.C.) hardware and contemporary software including Microsoft Office Products. • Requires capability of performing essential job functions in holding areas, exhibit spaces and mechanical rooms where spaces are small and tight, and in office environments with climate control and good lighting. • May require immunizations depending on animal collection, this could include TB testing. MINIMUM Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education for Aquarist II: In addition to Aquarist I • A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion of WOW. • Preferred four years of experience in a facility working with captive fresh and saltwater fishes, and invertebrates. • Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal. • Thorough knowledge for water quality and life support systems. • Operant conditioning and target training experience is preferred. • Ability to pass all required physicals and swim test to meet dive standards, within 1 year. MINIMUM Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education for Lead Aquarist: In addition to Aquarist I & II • A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion of WOW. • Preferred six years of experience in a facility working with captive fresh and saltwater fishes, and invertebrates, supervisory experience preferred. • Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal. • Operant conditioning and target training experience is preferred. • Ability to pass all required physicals and swim test to meet dive standards, within 1 year. Additional Competencies: • Adaptability - Ability to effectively adjust to major changes in work tasks or the work environment. • Aligning Performance for Success - Skilled at focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives. • Building a Successful Team - Skilled at building a cohesive team and facilitating goal accomplishment. • Building Trust - Ability to interact with others in an honest, fair and respectful way; giving others confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization. • Communication - Skilled at clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media; engaging the audience and helping them understand and retain the message. • Customer Focus - Ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships; actively seeking information to understand and address customers' needs. • High Work Standards - Sets high standards of performance for self and others; assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks. • Planning and Organizing - Skilled at establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently. • Problem Solving / Decision Making - Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing solutions.
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