Position: Assistant Curator of Quarantine
Reports To: Curator of Freshwater and Quarantine
Compensation: $56,000 per year
Why Utah?
Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs—perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.
About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.
Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world—including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center currently under construction, the Aquarium will soon become the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Curator of Quarantine oversees the daily operation of the Aquarium’s aquatic and terrestrial quarantine facilities and the quarantining of new collection animals in collaboration with a team of two full-time aquarists. This position is responsible for all aspects of quarantine animal care, including feeding and nutrition, environmental enrichment, life support system and habitat maintenance, advanced water quality management, and detailed record-keeping. Serving as a subject-matter expert in biosecurity and animal health, the Assistant Curator of Quarantine leads disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts— including the implementation and monitoring of copper-based treatment protocols—while working closely with veterinary and animal care teams to ensure compliance with AZA standards and the highest levels of animal welfare across multiple taxa.
Qualifications:
- Two (2) or four (4)-year degree in zoological or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
- Five (5)+ years of paid experience in the field of animal quarantine, with a focus on aquatic animal care at a zoological facility
- One (1) year of experience serving in a supervisory role at a zoological facility preferred
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Valid Utah driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
- Must possess or be willing to obtain current, negative TB test results.
Critical Skills/Competencies:
- Demonstrated expertise in more than one (1) relevant areas of animal care including animal quarantine and biosecurity, husbandry technical competency, disease diagnosis and treatment
- Ability to work with a wide array of aquatic and terrestrial taxa.
- Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Efficiency, good time management, and a passion for staff mentorship and development.
- Knowledge of ZIMS software is a plus.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports all aspects of team Core Job responsibilities through scheduling, management, team development, and direct participation. Team Core Job responsibilities include:
- Cleaning and maintenance of all team equipment, supplies, animal habitats, and support spaces
- Monitoring and maintaining environmental parameters
- Diet preparation and feeding to ensure appropriate nutrition
- Monitoring and responding to signs of infectious diseases, injury, or stress, and coordination of treatment with the veterinary team.
- Maintenance and review of all necessary records.
- Preservation of biosecurity through disease management and prevention best practices.
- Liaison between frontline staff, Curator, and Veterinary staff. Maintain the “big picture” of team operations
- Serve as a resource for development of new skills, processes, and professional growth by staff
- Lead by example in demonstrating skills for staff advancement - Communication, Culture, Efficiency, Growth, Mentorship, and Project Management
- Responsible for supporting and updating institutional and best practice standards
- Supports curator in managerial oversight through performance reviews, one-on-one meetings, and disciplinary coaching
Physical Demands of the Job:
- Sitting, standing, climbing, swimming, and carrying intermittent weights of up to 50 lbs.
- Hot, cold, humid, and wet environments
- Driving Aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
- Ladders, elevated platforms, enclosed spaces and uneven surfaces.
- Hours and availability: This is a salaried position calculated at 40 hours per week; Position is responsible for ensuring on-call support for after-hours emergencies, weekends, and holiday coverage.
While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.
The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.
