Oregon Coast Aquarium · Oregon · posted today
JOB SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Curator, the Senior Keeper is responsible for daily activities relating to the maintenance of the animal collection. The Senior Keeper also serves as a resource, mentor, and professional role model for other aquarists and staff. As a senior member of the Animal Care team, the incumbent is expected to demonstrate professional maturity, sound judgment, accountability, physical readiness, and the ability to develop others. GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides for and supervises the husbandry of all fish and invertebrates in the collection according to the best available methods in animal care, nutrition, and medical treatment. Demonstrates sound judgment in husbandry decisions and assists other aquarists in developing these skills. Provides guidelines and criteria to assure appropriate animal nutrition, including recognition of nutritional problems and specific husbandry needs of fish and invertebrates. Maintains superior feeding standards, continually researches updated nutritional methods and food items, and shares relevant knowledge with staff. Observes, identifies, corrects, and reports animal or system problems to co-workers and appropriate management levels before being noted by management or other Aquarium staff. Demonstrates initiative and sound judgment in determining when independent action or additional assistance is appropriate. Reports unusual conditions or illnesses in animals and assists in their treatment. Works with the veterinarian and Curator on the care of animals that are ill or require treatment. Calculates medicine dosages from information supplied by the veterinarian or Curator. Provides effective acute emergency care without direct supervision and manages long-term critical care with limited supervision. Maintains composure and sound decision-making during animal emergencies. Monitors exhibit water quality and performs water quality analysis as necessary and appropriate. Provides expertise to aquarists in troubleshooting water system and water quality problems and helps staff develop their own problem-solving abilities. Maintains normal operation of all exhibit systems, including filtration packages, supply, and return lines. Troubleshoots system problems and normally returns systems to proper operation without direct supervision. When appropriate, mentors other aquarists in troubleshooting and corrective action. Provides resource information on methods and materials needed for effective exhibit design and maintenance and assists developing aquarists in improving their technical abilities. Works with other Aquarium functions as needed and appropriate, including volunteer training, promotional events, and newsletter articles. Positively and accurately represents the Aquarium in presentations and tours given to media, staff, and visitors. Conducts SCUBA activities in a safe, professional manner and maintains the physical fitness and diving proficiency necessary to safely perform assigned duties. Must conduct at least twelve (12) open-water dives each year, above and beyond dives in Aquarium tanks. Performs SCUBA diving as needed for specimen acquisition and exhibit maintenance and maintains the physical conditioning necessary to safely work with dive equipment in Aquarium exhibits and open-water environments. Ensures that exhibit areas are maintained according to standards set by the Curator. Demonstrates initiative in identifying work that needs to be completed and assists other staff in meeting established standards. Maintains records system of animal accession and disposition. Participates in specimen collection, using safe boating procedures, as needed. Provides resource information on methods and materials for specimen collection and transport. Demonstrates the physical capability, judgment, and teamwork necessary for boating, field collection, and animal transport. At least one transport must be conducted in the last three-year period without preventable mortality. (This transport requirement is not applicable if there is no need for collection or transport.) Demonstrates continued interest in advancements in the aquarist field and actively shares knowledge and experience with other staff. Serves as a mentor to less-experienced aquarists and assists in developing their husbandry, technical, problem-solving, and professional skills. Demonstrates the professional maturity expected of a senior-level employee, including dependability, accountability, composure, respectful communication, receptiveness to feedback, and the ability to provide constructive feedback to others. Leads by example and contributes to a professional and collaborative workplace. Maintains the physical fitness and functional capability necessary to safely perform the essential duties of the position. Work routinely includes prolonged standing and walking; lifting and carrying equipment, food, and supplies; moving hoses and dive equipment; climbing stairs and ladders; bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and working in wet, cold, outdoor, and physically demanding conditions. The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical extension of the position. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY This position has supervisory responsibilities that are to be delegated, defined, and altered by the Curator to best suit the needs of the department. The incumbent is expected to act as a professional role model, advise and mentor other staff members, and serve as a subject matter resource. The Senior Keeper is expected to demonstrate the maturity and judgment necessary to provide leadership regardless of whether formal supervisory responsibility has been assigned. The incumbent mentors less-experienced staff, shares knowledge, provides constructive feedback, and helps other aquarists develop their skills, confidence, and independence. A Senior Keeper should not simply solve problems independently but should help other staff learn how to recognize, evaluate, and solve problems themselves. KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Minimum levels) A degree in biology, zoology, fisheries, marine science, or a related field is preferred. A combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of professional aquarist experience working with captive aquatic animals, with demonstrated knowledge of fish and invertebrate physiology, husbandry, and management practices. Candidates must demonstrate the professional judgment, leadership, and interpersonal skills appropriate to a senior-level animal care position, including the ability to work independently with limited supervision, contribute effectively within a team, communicate clearly and professionally, and exercise sound judgment in animal care and operational situations. The ability and willingness to mentor and develop other staff is required. This includes sharing technical knowledge, teaching appropriate practices, providing constructive feedback and guidance, and supporting the professional development of less-experienced aquarists. The ability to obtain and maintain required AAUS scientific SCUBA diving certification is required; cold-water diving experience is preferred. Candidates must possess working knowledge of biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration systems and water quality management. Proficiency with computers and commonly used workplace software is also required. Candidates must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the position. These include SCUBA diving, animal care, exhibit maintenance, fieldwork, boating, animal transport, lifting and carrying equipment, climbing, bending, kneeling, and working for extended periods in physically demanding and variable environmental conditions. The Senior Keeper is expected to maintain appropriate professional standards, remain composed during challenging situations, accept responsibility for decisions and actions, receive and provide constructive feedback, and maintain productive working relationships. Continued professional development is an expectation of the position, including ongoing growth in technical animal care skills, leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the Animal Care team.
Apply on the employer's site →JobMoo watches every zoo, aquarium, wildlife, and marine source we know and emails you the roles that fit, once a day, with a real human keeping an eye on your search. Built by a dad and his daughter, and it worked: she landed the job.
Start your 7-day trial, $9/mo after