Position Title: Marine Mammal Trainer 2
Department: Animal Care
Classification: Permanent, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Direct Report: Curator of Marine Mammals
POSITION
SUMMARY
The position requires a
highly motivated individual who will take direction from the Curators, Area
Supervisors and/or Sr. Vice President of Property Operations in carrying out
the animal care routine and maintenance for an assigned set of habitats. The
position will also be responsible for maintaining organized written records
pertaining to health, feeding, water quality, animal welfare and behavioral
observations. This position is responsible for adhering to all aquarium safety,
protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Alliance of Marine Mammal
Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) accreditation standards.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists
in the daily care and behavioral conditioning of bottlenose dolphins,
North American river otters, and other taxa as needed
- Maintains
a superior level of professionalism while performing primary/key roles in
daily guest presentation and interaction programs
- Interacts
with guests and crew members in a positive and professional manner
·Assists Senior Animal Care Specialists with
the development and implementation of dynamic animal training projects and
programs that serve to enhance animal care, animal management, guest
experience, and Aquarium public relations
·Actively participates in the progression of
animal training goals and standards for MSAQ under the direction/supervision of
Senior Marine Mammal Trainers and management, including training new behaviors
- Possess
great knowledge of cetacean and mustelid natural history, individual
animal histories and husbandry
- Able
to identify all animals in assigned animal areas and observe any possible
abnormalities
·Assist with the developmental goals of Marine
Mammal Trainers 1, Assistant Marine Mammal Trainers, and Seasonal Marine Mammal
Trainers
- Understand
all area safety guidelines
- Attend
all seminars and all tests required
- Play
a key role in maintaining the highest standards in the areas of
husbandry/cleanliness, diet preparation, record keeping, 24-hour animal
observations, and facility maintenance
·To perform other duties as workload
necessitates, regardless of time, day, or location
·Lead training sessions and may be asked to
take on the responsibilities of a Senior Marine Mammal Trainer in their absence
·Perform the
execution of all poolside interactive programs and presentations
·
QUALIFICATIONs:
- A four-year degree in aquatic sciences, zoology,
biology, psychology preferred
·Two
or more years of full-time animal care experience from an accredited AMMPA or
AZA institution, or equivalent, required
- Certified SCUBA diver
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening,
SCUBA dive physical, and area swim test
- Record-keeping experience, preferably with the TRACKS
system
- Detailed understanding of the biology, behavior, and
natural history of marine mammals, with an emphasis on cetaceans,
mustelids and other taxa as needed
- Detailed knowledge of operant conditioning and positive
reinforcement animal behavioral conditioning techniques
- Excellent observation and communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ethics that generate and
sustain a positive team atmosphere and professional environment
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel if
necessary
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, days closed due to
inclement weather
- Experience in preparing and conducting public
educational programs
- Able to lift a minimum of sixty (60) pounds
- Strong command of the English language, both written and
verbal
TEAM
REQUIREMENTS
- Safety & Security - All Team Members are required to adhere
to all Mississippi Aquarium safety and security standards.
- Attendance & Appearance - To maximize the
guest’s experience, all Team Members are required to adhere to Mississippi
Aquarium standard operating procedures regarding attendance and dress code
policies as it relates to individual job functionality. Tattoos and
piercings must be appropriate and in keeping with a professional image.
Depending on the work area, management reserves the right to determine
that tattoos will need to be covered during your shift.
- Sales & Guest Services - Our
forward-thinking business model requires listening and understanding the
needs of our guests both internal and external. To that end, we must always be focused
on the guest experience which is the key driver for return guest
visitation and increased sales.
- Team Partnership - All Team Members are focused on
supporting each other to complete the guest experience. Therefore, supporting, facilitating, and
participating in activities that promote team effectiveness is vital to
our organization.
PHYSICAL
DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands
and work environment described here are representative of those that must be
met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities
to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,
the employee is occasionally 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.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific
vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision,
color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather
conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is
usually moderate.
Note: Position will involve exposure to inclement
weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and
potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices and toxic chemicals and/or
drugs. Occasional use of protective
clothing or equipment is required e.g., goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns.
