TRAINER / SENIOR TRAINER
Are you passionate about animal care, training, and guest engagement? Shedd Aquarium’s Oceanarium department is excited to offer a Trainer position, with the potential to hire at a Senior Trainer level based on experience!
About the Role:
As a Trainer, you’ll work hands-on with our diverse animal collection—including cetaceans, penguins, otters, sea lions, and animal ambassadors. You’ll contribute to Shedd’s mission of exceptional animal welfare and memorable guest experiences through positive reinforcement and operant conditioning.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To succeed in this role, an individual must perform each duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Uphold Shedd’s vision, mission, and values in all activities.
- Ensure the health and well-being of the animal collection, including dietary preparation and habitat upkeep:
- Clean kitchens, tools, floors, windows, pools, and support areas used in the department.
- Prepare animal diets involving thawing, sorting, weighing, cutting, vitamin administration, heavy lifting, and frequent exposure to cold temperatures.
- Foster positive relationships with staff, visitors, volunteers, community members, and contractors.
- Maintain a clean, healthy environment for animals, staff, and guests.
- Dive and snorkel in cold saltwater for cleaning, pool inspection, and general maintenance.
- Interact with guests daily, answering questions about animals and the facility.
- Perform tasks related to evening functions, special employee training, seminars, volunteer guidance, public speaking, and student interviews.
- Attend regular department meetings and daily pre-session communications.
- Keep detailed records of all animal interactions, including diet, health, training progression, and behavior.
- Narrate public presentations and guide behind-the-scenes tours as needed.
- Participate actively in animal training, exams, public presentations, and play sessions, using advanced conditioning techniques as applicable.
- Support animal training goals and public presentation standards, including public programs and animal care.
- Provide animal interactions and guest engagement, serving in supportive roles during public presentations.
- Maintain high standards of showmanship in guest interactions and presentations.
- Mentor and coach less experienced trainers in operant conditioning, husbandry, and guest engagement.
- Embrace a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and non-standard hours.
- Work in an environment with regular exposure to cold saltwater.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences or related area is preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
- Minimum of two years’ experience working with marine mammals, birds, or other exotic animals or an equivalent amount of experience at another facility training animals
- Strong knowledge of utilizing positive reinforcement and operant conditioning principles.
- Demonstrated ability to condition basic behaviors from start to completion.
- Proven ability to work well within teams and departments
- Ability to work well with others in a diverse team environment and communicate proficiently with colleagues and guests.
- Demonstrates commitment to growth.
- Must have good hearing, vision.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Competent swimmer.
- Able to receive and apply feedback.
- Able to provide effective feedback.
- Ability to work holidays and weekends.
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Must possess a minimum of open water SCUBA certification. Employment is contingent upon passing a dive physical and check-out protocol administered by Shedd Aquarium's 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- 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 WORKING AT SHEDD:
We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discounts
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 humanresources@sheddaquarium.org.
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.
If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).
