Job Title: Assistant Curator of Blue Wonders
Posting Date: 11/8/2024
Job Department: Animal Care and Welfare
Schedule: Full Time
Job Type: On-site
Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202/Candler 111 Market Pl Suite 800 Baltimore MD 21202. 410-576-8532.
JOB SUMMARY:
The National Aquarium is seeking an Assistant Curator of Blue Wonders (BW). As part of the Animal Care and Welfare (ACW) division, this position manages half of the Blue Wonders areas including the majority of our gallery exhibits such as Maryland Mountains to the Sea, North Atlantic to the Pacific, and Surviving through Adaptation, Shark Alley, as well as our Living Seashore exhibit. This position also collaborates closely with the other half of the BW Team including the following exhibits: Atlantic Coral Reef, Blacktip Reef, and Jellies Invasion. The Assistant Curator assists with the management of National Aquarium’s (NA) Blue Wonders (BW) animal care activities, including acquisition and disposition, overall care, breeding, conservation, and research operations for NA’s exhibits and programs. Assists with daily operations, supervision of animal care staff, enclosure and facility maintenance, and both general and behavioral husbandry. Ensures provision of the highest quality of care for the animals to support animal wellbeing. The work schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday every week.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Essential responsibilities include:
• Under the supervision of the Curator of BW, assists with daily animal management and operations at the aquarium.
• As a working supervisor, sets and demonstrates a high standard in daily animal care, including but not limited to diet planning, preparation and feeding, maintenance of enclosures and back-up areas, safe and proper animal handling, and record-keeping.
• In collaboration with the Behavioral Husbandry team, devises and implements modern behavioral husbandry techniques to optimize the wellbeing of animals.
• Serves as a BW liaison to Facilities, Life Support, Animal Health, Guest Engagement, Conservation, Planning and Design and other departments as their operations relate to the BW team.
• Collaborates both proactively and responsively with all other professional departments at NA (ex. Finance, Philanthropy, HR, etc.) to ensure support for NA’s strategic plan.
• Identifies animal health issues and effectively communicates with the Curator and Animal Health staff for resolution including working with the Hospital Manager to schedule medical-related procedures.
• Leads or participates in animal acquisitions and dispositions, working collaboratively with our Animal Care and Rescue Center Team on planning shipments and quarantine management as needed
• Manages BW division staff, including scheduling, training, evaluating performance, and maintaining an engaging and professionally fulfilling team setting.
• Promotes daily use of our animal information software, TRACKS, and advances its development.
• Participates in the NA’s Animal Welfare Program and ensures compliance with its execution including reviewing assessments and recommending action to enhance wellbeing.
• Completes minor repairs and when necessary, submits work orders for equipment maintenance and other animal care-related repairs. Responsible for maintaining all assigned equipment in good working order. Where appropriate, facilitates and participates in plumbing and life support equipment installation in areas of responsibility.
• Establishes effective and professional relationships with outside vendors.
• Assists with response to alert systems during and after work hours to monitor crucial system operations.
• Assists the Curator in budget management and payment processing, ordering supplies, and supervising contractors.
• Collaborates with guest engagement department to carry out effective programming.
• Works with the volunteer department to incorporate interns and volunteers into animal care.
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays as needed.
· Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor of Science degree in biological or aquatic sciences or related field preferred, but equivalent professional experience may qualify.
• Minimum of five years of experience working in an aquarium or zoological field with emphasis on closed marine systems required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Plumbing experience preferred.
• Boating experience desired.
• Must have demonstrated ability to care for animals in a zoo/aquarium setting and a strong professional, educational, and conservation ethic.
• Experience leading a team of people (staff or volunteers) to the successful accomplishment of major tasks or objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, volunteers, guests, professional colleagues, and others, both internal and external to the aquarium.
• Must have capability to prevent or resolve conflict between staff members both intra- and inter-departmentally.
• Ability to manage staff and animals in crisis situations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic biology, life support systems, and water chemistry as they apply to a public aquarium setting.
• Demonstrates knowledge of animal collecting techniques, transport and acclimation of fishes and aquatic invertebrates.
• Exceptionally detail oriented with the ability to accurately log and record various data, as well as the ability to review data/records for accuracy and identify significant trends.
• Must be adept at establishing and following safety procedures and protocols, identifying potential safety hazards, and implementing and supervising established safety programs. Prioritizes a safe work environment.
• Must have capacity to decide when to act independently and when to consult Curator or other ACW leadership.
• SCUBA certification with diving experience required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, ability to obtain a Maryland driver’s license, and ability to obtain a DOT physical.
Total Compensation Information:
Salary range ($62,800-80,074.99 Annual)
National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, six paid floating holidays, up to four weeks of paid family leave and conservation day leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work and 401(k) plan participation with employer match available. Employees receive a family membership package and Aquarium tickets.
About the National Aquarium
Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.
More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.
Our Mission and Goals
The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.
Our Values
At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.
Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.
Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.
Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.
Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.
Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.
In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.
