Husbandry Assistant

What you'll bring to the team

Qualifications & Experience

Husbandry Assistant

Collective Goal: Ensure that every guest we welcome enjoys a magical, memorable, world-class guest experience and that every member of our team embraces and exhibits our company values (known collectively as The Merlin Way).

Scope of Job: With a primary role of assisting Aquarists in the routine husbandry of SEA LIFE’s marine and freshwater displays. Host – Animal Welfare role may include guest talks, diving and tending.

The Host – Animal Welfare must be capable of delivering a high standard of work performance in the areas of exhibit diet preparation, back stage cleaning, water chemistries and some mild husbandry. This role will deliver world class standards of safety, Guest Service, and cleanliness. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide daily care of animal exhibits including diet preparation, feeding and general care and maintenance of aquatic exhibits in accordance with established protocols.• Maintain and prepare accurate daily records for aquarium systems, exhibit specimens, dive related and animal health related paperwork.• Assist with water quality testing• Act as a diver or secondary tender for dives.• Work with Displays team to provide the animal care, cleaning and maintenance of aquarium displays requiring SCUBA diving (i.e. 200,000 gallon tropical ocean display)• Maintain company issued dive gear and diver areas to the standards and expectations of SEA LIFE policies and protocols.• Deliver interactive programming to guests and guest presentations involving displays and exhibit diving. Participate in guest relations/interactions and perform daily public presentations as needed.• Assist Displays staff with the husbandry of aquarium systems while ensuring a consistently high standard of animal care.• Assist in the continual development of the displays areas in line with the long term goals of the company.• Ability to meet AZA, USDA and Merlin Health and Safety standards.• Ensure that the rides and attraction areas are kept clean, tidy, and presentable. • Provide daily assistance to aquarists in the areas of cleaning back areas and displays, diet preparation, feeding and general care of aquatic exhibits in accordance with established protocols.• Deliver interactive programming to guests and guest presentations involving displays.• Participate in guest relations/interactions and perform daily public presentations as needed.• Main responsibilities may vary based on site. • Other duties as assigned.Other Responsibilities:• Ability to maintain a clean/organized work environment • Ability to work effectively with limited supervision.• Able to provide the best environment for animals and is comfortable dealing with aquatic excrements and smells for long periods of time. Will be in contact with cold, fresh and marine water for long periods of time.• Requires the ability to effectively follow directions, and observe and remember details.• Must interact and communicate with guests, management, veterinarians, and other individuals and be able to deliver quality customer service.• Requires the ability to maintain a friendly, polite, service oriented demeanor. • Effective decision-making skills are required.• Ability to stand for long periods of time. • Must be able to communicate and support the Aquarium’s mission and goals• Ability to obtain and hold valid Driver’s License. • Ability to work weekends, nights, be on-call and keep flexible hours.Health & Safety

Employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, their colleagues and guests (where appropriate), in line with the Group Policy (HS001) and the law. In particular, they must ensure that they follow safe working procedures for all work activities that they undertake and they must not use any tools or equipment for which they have not been trained. Where incidents do occur, they must ensure that they are reported to their line manager and cooperate with any investigation as appropriate in accordance with applicable laws.Education and Experience

• Preferably working towards a degree in Life Sciences (Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Psychology) Or have gained knowledge of Aquarium science through other means (working at an aquarium or zoo in and education or animal care department) OR a combination of a degree in another discipline and practical knowledge. Some knowledge of aquatic animal care in a professional aquarium environment. SCUBA Certification through Rescue Diver is preferred. Minimum through Advanced Diver. Experience working in a public setting or working in guest services. Must have attention to detail.

Work Environment:• Various inside areas within the Attraction, with varying temperatures and floor surfaces. Occasional work outside the building in all weather conditions. Occasional travel to sites within the city.Working Pattern:• Typically flexible; works within the scope of Attraction operating days/times• May require some weekend and holidays

Pay Range

Salary : $14