General Purpose:

Assists with the management of the National Aquarium’s Dolphin Discovery. Assists with daily operations, supervision of animal care staff, and major exhibit and husbandry projects. Ensures provision of the highest quality of care and training to the animals and the completion of departmental goals.

Essential Functions:

• Assists with the daily management of the department’s animal collection. Supervises and participates in daily animal care tasks, including diet preparation and feeding, training, enrichment, maintenance of back-up areas, safe and proper animal handling, and record-keeping.
• Assists in establishing and overseeing the training of the animal collection. Researches and recommends new training goals; works with Curator to develop training strategies and long-term training plans to support animal relocation to the National Aquarium’s dolphin sanctuary; problem solves complex animal behavior scenarios.
• Ensures that the animals receive a high-quality environmental enrichment program.
• Ensures compliance with all established Aquarium safety procedures and protocols, including fall protection and dive safety.
• Monitors environmental parameters (temperature, water quality, etc.).
• Responsible for maintaining assigned exhibits in a manner that meets or exceeds AZA standards. Ensures all backup and shared spaces are kept clean, safe, and organized
• Through strong observation skills, identifies animal health problems and effectively communicates with the Curator and Animal Health staff for resolution. Develops an effective and productive working relationship with the Animal Health Department.
• Schedules, oversees, and coordinates medical sampling and procedure logistics. Responds to animal emergencies as needed.
• Oversees, schedules, and conducts departmental research projects.
• In the absence of the Curator, supervises the husbandry staff and serves as the temporary exhibit manager.
• Reports to work during weather and other emergencies to coordinate and participate in collection care and building safety.
• Works closely and effectively with Facilities and Life Support Staff to troubleshoot and resolve exhibit related mechanical issues.
• Responsible for maintaining all assigned equipment in good working order. Establishes effective and professional relationships with outside vendors.
• Assists the Curator in budget management and payment processing, ordering supplies, and supervising contractors.
• Able to learn daily use of our animal information software, TRACKS and advance its use and development.
• Assists in daily management of the department’s staff, interns, and volunteers, including scheduling, training in professional animal care standards, and maintaining an engaging team setting. Creates an atmosphere conducive to learning, completes annual performance assessments and manages and resolves staff performance issues as needed.
• Participates and oversees programming offered in the dolphin area; evaluates formal and informal programs regarding animal care, training and guest satisfaction. Effectively networks with Guest Engagement and Guest Services to ensure an excellent visitor experience.
• Provides concise and professional exhibit and animal updates to various aquarium communications networks.
• Must work some weekends and holidays.
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications/Position Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in biological or aquatic sciences or related field. A minimum of five years’ progressive experience as a marine mammal trainer at a public aquarium or zoo with at least two years of supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience and proficiency in handling and transportation of aquatic mammals.
• Must be highly knowledgeable about marine mammal biology and complex behavior/training concepts and be able to apply this knowledge to an aquarium setting. This knowledge should include experience in marine mammal husbandry (diet, behavior, enrichment) as well as operant conditioning philosophy and application.
• Must have an affinity for maintaining animals in a zoo/aquarium setting and a strong professional, educational, and conservation ethic.
• Adept at observation to watch for any signs of illness or injury, monitor eating patterns or any changes in behavior in marine mammals.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills required. Experience leading volunteers, interns, and/or staff to the successful accomplishment of major tasks or objectives. Establishes effective and efficient relationships with other Aquarium departments.
• Good oral and written communication skills and public speaking experience. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, volunteers, visitors, professional colleagues, and others both internal and external to the aquarium.
• Must possess capacity to effectively share information and knowledge via a variety of mediums to others, including teaching, coaching, and mentoring. Must have the capacity to respond to and resolve a variety of supervisory related circumstances including selection, performance management and termination of direct reports. Must have capability to resolve conflict between staff members both intra-and interdepartmentally. Ability to manage staff and animals in crisis situations is essential.
• Must be adept at establishing and following safety procedures and protocols, identifying potential safety hazards, and implementing and supervising established safety program. Prioritizes a safe work environment.
• Must have capacity to decide when to act independently and when to consult Curatorial staff.
• Familiarity with computers is necessary; should be able to log and record records, as well as review records for accuracy and significant trends.
• SCUBA certification with diving experience required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Preferred:

• Previous management training or certification.
• CPR/AED and basic first-aid certification
• Familiarity with electronic animal record keeping software systems (i.e. Tracks, ZIMS, etc.)