Assistant Curator of Quarantine

Position: Assistant Curator of Quarantine

Reports To: Curator of Freshwater and Quarantine

Position Summary:  

The Assistant Curator will help oversee the care of all animals in their respective sub-departments, as well as supervise, guide, and instruct staff. Reporting to the Curator, this position will develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures relevant to the personnel and the animal collection at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. This individual will also help orchestrate all aspects of animal care, including but not limited to: acquisition, disposition, record keeping, husbandry, enrichment, implementation of balanced and nutritional diets, translocations, determining standard quarantine procedures for incoming animals, medical procedures and vaccinations, and collection plans. This individual will also collaborate with other Assistant Curators and Curatorial staff as needed to meet these goals.

Qualifications:  

• A college degree (A.A, A.S, B.A, or B.S) is preferred with an emphasis in biology/zoology or related scientific course work (equivalent hands on professional or volunteer experience and knowledge may be considered)
• Five (5) or more years’ experience of caring for animals in a public aquarium or zoological facility
• Experience with a broad variety of taxa, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
• Familiarity with animal disease diagnosis and corresponding treatments
• Valid driver’s license and obtain a Utah driver’s license within six (6) months of hire date
• Open water SCUBA certification from a recognized agency required (other comparable skillset may be considered)
  • Ability to SCUBA dive for collections, animal care, and routine maintenance of exhibit
  • Must be compliant with all Dive team requirements within the first full quarter of hire date
  • Stay up-to-date with all Dive team training and requirements
• Must possess or be willing to obtain current, negative TB test results

Critical Skills/Competencies:  

• Excels in at least on specialty (difficult species, animal disease, water chemistry, etc.)
• Project management
• Microscope use and parasite identification, fecal sample testing, external parasite testing experience
• Use of power tools and understanding life support components
• Ability to troubleshoot problems without any guidance
• Knowledge on how to transition animal diets and understanding of animal nutrition
• Familiarity with PPE requirements
• Ability to recognize potential problems in department and demonstrate ability to problem solve and find solutions in a timely manner
• Is a role model for producing consistent, high-quality husbandry practices on a daily basis
  • Is a role model for professionalism, including:
    • Contributes to a positive and productive work environment
    • Demonstrates self-motivated initiative
    • Represents LLPA well in all actions, words, and gestures
    • Possesses communication and organization skills
    • Demonstrates ability to help team accomplish goals
    • Attention to detail and standards cleanliness and aesthetics
• Ability to multitask as well as delegate
•  Familiarity with water quality, stocking density, tank cycling, and maintenance
• Ability to plumb up to or greater than 2” under the direction of the LSS Engineer or manager with no supervision

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Keep Curator informed of departmental progress and problems
• Understand all taxa coming through quarantine, research animal history, captive care, and medical sensitivity
• Under the direction of the Curator, develop and enforce standards of animal care policies and procedures for the entire specimen collection
• Evaluate and assist in approving animal enrichment and operant conditioning programs
• Assist in the development and enforce standards of animal care policies and procedures for the entire specimen collection
• Maintain biosecurity between all systems
• Help schedule, assign, and direct sub-department staff and volunteers as needed
• Collaborate with Department Directors and Curators on animal habitat designs and renovation and collection plans
• Lead in the research and development of new systems, renovations, and collections
• Lead by example to animal care staff, providing encouragement, coaching, training, and mentoring
• Represent the department at professional meetings, conferences, or in the media (as requested by upper management)
• Plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems
• Help with crisis management, safety drills, and participate in safety meetings with fellow department representatives
• Oversee management of assigned taxa and/or the sub-department and staff
• Care for assigned systems as primary on a husbandry level as assigned
• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day operations of the quarantine floor, tasks, and standards
• Act as a resource for mentor for volunteers and interns at level I, II, and III aquarists
• Participate in the onboarding of new hires
• Enforce strict record keeping
• Provide secondary coverage and other coverage as assigned or needed

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 accomodation@thelivingplanet.com.

Depending on the volume of interests and submissions, we will only be contacting applicants who meet all of the minimum requirements listed in the job posting. Only those applicants who align most closely with our minimum and preferred qualifications will be contacted for an interview. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium will retain your application materials for one year and may contact you regarding future opportunities.