(Sr.) Aquarist, Tropical Marine Invertebrates

TITLE: (Sr.)Aquarist Tropical Marine Invertebrates
DEPARTMENT: Aquarium Team
REPORTS TO: Supervisor Tropical Marine Invertebrates
STATUS: Full-time Non-Exempt
PAY RATE:$26.00 - $30.00/hour; (Sr.) $30.00 - $35.00/hour
LOCATION: Chicago IL. - Onsite

We are open to hiring at either theAquarist orSenior Aquaristlevel. Placement will bedeterminedbased ondemonstratedexperience scope of past work leadership and ability to independently manage complex creative projects.

Time Commitment:

• Orientation (First Week): MondayFriday
• Onboarding & Training (1 Month Minimum): ThursdayMonday
• Regular Schedule (Ongoing): Sunday - Thursday.

POSITION OVERVIEW:This Aquaristis responsible forthe daily husbandry care and welfare of a diverse collection of tropical marine invertebrates and reef fishes including cnidarians crustaceans gastropods cephalopods and marineteleosts. Working as part of a collaborative team the role supports Shedd Aquariums living reef Indo-Pacific coral cuttlefish and mixed marine habitats.

A key focus of this position is the care and propagation of Shedd Aquariums coral collection through water quality management routine health assessments culture and propagation enrichment and support of veterinary procedures. This role contributes to advancing Shedds standards for animal welfare coral conservation and exceptional guest experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Core Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd Aquariums vision mission and values.
• Achieve assigned operational goals and support the daily care and wellbeing of the animal collection.
• Provide high-quality husbandry including diet preparation feeding enrichment behavioral observations recordkeeping and habitat maintenance.
• Maintainaccurateanimal records using TRACKS and communicate observations concerns and updatesin a timely manner.
• Provide primary care for Shedd Aquariums coral collection andmaintaintropical marine invertebrate habitats supporting collection planning and animal wellbeing.
• Maintain front-of-house habitats and back-of-house areas at inspection-ready standards.
• Collaborate with Animal Health to support preventative care assessments and treatments.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment and habitatsidentifyingand reporting larger maintenance needs.
• Supervise coach and support interns and volunteers providing feedback and accountability.
• Collaborate across the Aquarium Leadership Team and Animal Care Leadership Team to support animal training nutrition enrichment and departmental goals.
• Developexpertisein assigned animal groups husbandry techniques and emerging animal care practices applying continuous learning to improve animal welfare.
• Evaluate work practices and recommend improvements that enhance animal care operational efficiency and team effectiveness.
• Support coworkers and collaborate across divisions to achieve organizational priorities.
• Maintain compliance with applicable safety legal and regulatory requirements including OSHA standards.
• Participate in required meetings organizational initiatives and Shedds DEAI commitments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities at the Senior Level

• Take primary ownership of designated habitats collections programs or operational responsibilities ensuring consistent high-quality execution.
• Serve as a role model bydemonstratingexcellence in animal care professionalism collaboration and safety.
• Provideday-to-day leadership coaching and technical guidance to Aquarists interns and volunteers.
• Apply advanced knowledge of habitat systems and husbandry practices to troubleshoot issues improve operations and support departmental success.
• Lead assigned projects programs or operational initiatives while helping coordinate priorities andmaintainconsistent standards across the department.
• Promote knowledge sharing continuous improvement and operational continuity across the Aquarium Team.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in marine biology zoology animal science or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 years of experience providing aquatic animal care in an accredited zoo or aquarium.
• Experience caring for marineteleostsand marine invertebrates including corals.
• Knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry training enrichment and collection planning.
• Working knowledge of water chemistry and water quality management for marine systems.
• Demonstrated ability to safely care for and handle aquatic animals.

Additional Qualifications for Senior Consideration

• 3 years of experience providing aquatic animal care in an accredited zoo or aquarium.
• Demonstrated experience caring for marineteleostsand marine invertebrates with advanced experience supporting coral collections.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex animal care responsibilities habitat operations and departmental priorities.
• Broad knowledge of aquatic habitat systems and the ability to troubleshoot issues and improve operations across multiple program areas.
• Experience mentoring coaching orprovidingday-to-day guidance to team members.
• Demonstrated ownership of departmental programs operational functions projects or cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong judgment initiative and decision-making skills with the ability to balance team animal care and organizational priorities.

Certifications:

• Mustpossessa valid drivers licenseorobtain one within 6 months from the startof employment.
• Mustpossessa valid passportorobtain one within 6 months from the startof employment.
• Mustpossessaminimum ofopen water SCUBA certification. Employment contingent upon passing a dive physical and checkoutswim testprotocol administered by Shedd Aquariums Dive Operations.

Physical Readiness:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Lift up to 40 pounds
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Walk
• Swim
• Hear

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This person may be exposed to:

• Water
• Heat
• Cold
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Low noise
• Moderate Noise
• Loud Noise

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leaveand Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process please email us at

We strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ community veterans and active duty military parents individuals with disabilities and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.