Aquarist I - Diving

JOB POSTING

Aquarist 

Posted:                   Open to internal and external applicants   

Reports to:             Associate Curator Temperate Fish and Invertebrates

Status:                   Full-time, hourly, benefitted position

Hours of work:       6:30 am – 3:30 pm, specific days of the week TBD; regular schedule will include at least one weekend day.

Date needed:         March 2023

Posting expires:    When position has been filled

Position description:  

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for an Aquarist to join the Temperate Fish and Invertebrate team. The aquarist furthers our mission through the management and care of the animals that make their homes at the Aquarium. They are responsible for assigned husbandry duties in the Aquarium’s Fish and Invertebrate department.  

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of one year’s experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or related environment (AZA facility preferred), a clear understanding of fish and invertebrate biology, and technical knowledge of marine biology, water quality analysis, aquatic life support systems and marine animal health. There are many technical requirements of this role—all applicants must meet all diving requirements, physical exam, training classes and deadlines as listed in the “diving requirements” and “experience, education and certifications” sections below to be considered.  

Key functions: 

• Preparing, storing, and distributing food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitoring feeding habits; and reporting any changes or abnormalities. 
• Cleaning and performing routine maintenance and minor repair of animal habitats and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment. Maintaining water quality to keep aquatic animals in a healthy condition. 
• Assisting with administration of medications and treatments according to established procedures and veterinary instructions. Aiding in handling or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures as necessary to ensure animal welfare.  
• Maintaining records and reports regarding assigned species, including daily veterinary reports, habitat maintenance, food consumption records and other reports specific to the assigned area. 
• Directing the work of animal care volunteers, interns and temporary animal care personnel by identifying, assigning and monitoring tasks. 
• Observing animals and evaluating behavior to determine physical and behavioral health and well-being. 
• Assisting with animal acquisition, acclimation and quarantine. 
• Using scuba and surface-supplied air systems for in-tank animal care and habitat maintenance. Position may include field diving for animal collection, research, or other tasks.  

Diving requirements:

To qualify for evaluation as a Seattle Aquarium diver, a candidate must meet the following general criteria: 

• Possess a scuba certification to the level of rescue diver (or equivalent) from a nationally recognized certification agency. 
• Possess a recent (less than 12 months) approval to recreational scuba signed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.). 
• Successfully pass an AAUS watermanship requirements swim test. 
• Pass a Seattle Aquarium scuba skills evaluation dive. 

In addition, the new staff diver candidate must complete and pass the following aquarium diver physical exam, training classes and deadlines: 

• Pass a Seattle Aquarium occupational diving physical exam. 
• Emergency oxygen provider training within one year of hire. 
• Staff habitat diver training and evaluation within one year of hire. 
• The position-defined level of scientific diver training and evaluation within one year of hire. 

Required skills and experience: 
 We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education to meet minimum requirements.

• B.A./B.S. degree in biology, marine biology or related field required.  
• Minimum of one year’s experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or related environment (AZA facility preferred). 
• Must have or be able to obtain a Washington state driver’s license. 
• Most hold current CPR, first aid and AED certifications. 

Working conditions:

• Requires handling, working with or exposure to large, dangerous animals, animal diseases, animal feces and toxic chemicals. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is 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. 
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Occasionally required to lift more than 50 pounds. 
• Must be able to be on their feet six or more hours a day and be physically active through physical motions. 
• Required to work outdoors year-round, near water, on wet and slippery surfaces and at heights. 
• Must be able to swim, dive and pass and maintain all required scuba diving skills and certifications.  
• Must have ability to use fall restraint equipment, respirators, and other appropriate safety gear; may be required to work in confined spaces. 
• Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and an occasional 24-hour emergency call. 

Salary and benefits:  $24.85/ hour-$26.44/per hour, dependent on experience. Please include salary expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s 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 a progressive, equal-opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce. One of our core values is fostering an inclusive community, and we want our staff to reflect our community. To that end, we encourage diverse candidates to apply, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous and People of Color applicants and members of the LGBTQIA community.  

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

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.  

Note: Must pass a background check, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position. 

About the Seattle Aquarium: 

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s 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, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’re working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building, the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org. 

Regarding COVID-19:

Open daily, the Aquarium prioritizes the health and safety of our staff and visitors, embracing science to guide our operations. We maintain high standards of cleanliness, and all high-touch surfaces (like windows, railings, restrooms and elevators) are continuously cleaned. 

Please note: All Aquarium staff and volunteers must provide proof of vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption by the date of hire. If you have questions about this policy or for information regarding the exemption process, please contact the Human Resources department at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.   

Timeline:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interview dates. If hired, relocation assistance is not available. 

• Priority given to applications received within the first two weeks of posting
• Interviews completed by end of February
• Start date: March 2023