Senior Animal Care Specialist

JOB POSTING

Bird and Mammal Senior Animal Care Specialist

Posted:Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: Supervisor of Birds & Mammals

Status:Full-time hourly benefitted position

Posting expires: Open until filled; priority given to applications received by January 14.

Position description:

This position is responsible for all assigned husbandry duties of the Seattle Aquariums bird and mammal population. This position will be caring for: sea otters harbor seals northern fur seals North American river otters various alcids and shorebirds and fish and invertebrates which inhabit the bird habitats. While not a direct supervisory role the Senior Animal Care Specialist position requires staff members to have a strong interest and skillset in mentoring to aid in the growth of Animal Care Specialists I and II. Must be organized self-motivated independent and show a strong desire to complete projects. Preference given to candidates with an in-depth understanding of bird and marine mammal biology water quality parameters/analysis aquatic life-support systems and marine and aquatic animal health.

Multicultural multilingual and diverse experiences are an asset in this role as we have a diverse and passionate team. The natural sciences and the conservation movement have historically marginalized many communities from taking on scientific roles such as this one. The Aquarium actively seeks to dismantle this practice and broaden participation in marine and environmental conservation professions making them more inclusive of the full diversity of our communities and responsive to their needs and perspectives. Candidates passionate about anti-racism social justice environmental justice and other intersections will be an asset to our work. All staff should value and participate in advancing and integrating Diversity Equity Inclusion and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values into their work. The knowledge skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural traditional practices community programs jobs internships volunteer experience and/or formal or informal education.

Key functions:

Animal Care:

• Perform daily animal care operations within Bird & Mammal (BAM) team including diet preparation and monitoring habitat care and maintenance etc.
• Act as an individual species Lead for institutions resident BAM species/habitats as assigned. Adjust species diets monitor animal weights coordinate species behavioral training goals in collaboration with Curator Supervisors and Veterinary team provide extra focus and advocation for animal/area needs and train other BAM staff members in standards of care for species.
• Plan for apply and mentor staff on appropriate operant conditioning techniques with an emphasis on positive reinforcement. Capable of problem-solving when behavioral management issues arise.
• Observe/evaluate animal behavior to determine physical and behavioral health and wellbeing.
• Comply with and teach all standard operating procedures and Aquarium Species Programmatic Manuals for all species and animal facilities managed by the BAM team.
• Design implement offer evaluate and document a variety of behavioral enrichment opportunities for the animal collection that encourage natural behavior. Coach others in this.
• Proficient in recordkeeping and reporting regarding assigned species including daily veterinary reports habitat maintenance food consumption records and other reports.
• Be familiar with the Animal Welfare Act and all USDA/APHIS regulations pertaining to maintaining and public display of marine mammals and birds. Ensure work outputs also comply with all necessary AZA accreditation standards. Assist in preparing for inspections as assigned and lead efforts as necessary.
• Administer basic and challenging medications according to established procedures and veterinary instructions. Ability to lead in handling or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures as necessary to ensure animal welfare.
• Possess proficient public speaking skills necessary to interpret natural history and conservation issues effectively with the public in both formal (on microphone) and informal settings.
• Responsibly order BAM team supplies as assigned.
• Provide occasional response to animal emergencies outside of normally scheduled hours.

Collaboration/Teamwork and Engagement:

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships within BAM team and other departments to support BAM team needs or asks from others. Practice respect and reciprocity in all communications.
• Work with Curator and Supervisors to aid in the acquisition and disposition of new animals including coordinating and executing safe transport quarantine acclimation and introduction to habitats.
• Share technical knowledge submit work orders and communicate habitat need requests with Facilities and Engineering staff.
• May hold roles including Veterinary Medication Clerk Assistant to research department staff BAM Volunteer or Internship Coordinator BAM Tracks Coordinator Enrichment Committee various Event Committees Equity team Morale Committee etc.
• Manage Animal Care team aspects of special events media and BAM area tours as assigned.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various levels in the organization. Excellent communication skills. Have computer skills including MS Teams applications Excel Word and Tracks.
• Participate in team department and aquarium-wide meetings and engagements as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Mentoring:

• Provide supportive mentorship and training to BAM staff interns and volunteers. Includes husbandry and habitat maintenance/safety tasks interactive animal-guest experiences/tours record keeping animal training welfare and quality of life assessments etc. Support Supervisors in delegation of work amongst team as necessary.
• Work closely with the Curator and Supervisors to ensure that training of staff and volunteers align with BAM priorities
• Act as the lead staff member and point of contact for daily BAM team animal care operations when Curator or Supervisors are not on-site.
• Ability to take lead role in drills and emergencies as necessary.

Required skills and experience:
The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs jobs internships volunteer experience and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

• B.A./B.S. degree in biology marine biology or related field or various combinations of relevant experience to meet minimum requirements are considered.
• Possess a minimum of 4 years experience preferably demonstrating progressively responsible duties involving animal care and proven mentorship experience in an aquarium or related environment (AZA facility preferred).

Working conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job the employee will need to stand walk sit use hands to finger handle or feel objects tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop kneel crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to climb stairs ladders and steep rock work and be harnessed with safety gear when appropriate; have a good sense of balance; and can team lift and move 50 pounds.
• Capable of being on their feet 6 hours/day and being active through physical motions.
• Required to work outdoors year-round near water in confined spaces on wet and slippery surfaces and at heights.
• Must be able to swim.
• Requires handling working with or exposure to large dangerous animals animal diseases animal feces and toxic chemicals.
• Must have or be able to obtain a Washington State Drivers License if required to drive aquarium vehicles as assigned to participate in field work transport animals or equipment between regional zoological facilities or attend other staff development opportunities.
• Must be able to obtain CPR first aid and AED certifications as needed. Training provided.

Salary and benefits:$30.00-$31.62 hourly Dependent on experience. Please include salary expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquariums comprehensive benefits package to include medical vision dental an employer-funded health reimbursement account medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts life insurance long-term disability 403b retirement fund with employer match access to a subsidized ORCA pass a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse equitable and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds identities languages cultural ways of knowing and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color trans and gender non-conforming people immigrants people with disabilities and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they dont feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at .

Note: If offered the position candidates must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer. Regarding driving records: Within the last three years you must not have had more than two moving traffic violations or any major violation (DUI reckless driving negligent driving etc.).

About the Seattle Aquarium:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound the Salish Sea and the worlds one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing an inspiring visitor experience engaging daytime and evening events conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds community outreach to marginalized populations research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild advocacy and policy work an award-winning volunteer program high-impact marketing and communications and more.

Our values developed in conjunction with our staff include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices creating awe-inspiring experiences constantly learning and improving fostering an inclusive community maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums were among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance and we welcome over 850000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment were working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at .