This is a full-time position requiring availability for a 40-hour work week year-round. Full-time benefits include Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, 403b Plan, 403b Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Days Off, Paid Holidays, Paid Health & Wellness Days, and Paid Parental Leave as well as optional Dental, Vision, Life, and Pet Insurance Programs. All team members receive Team Member Perks such as a free Staff Membership, concessions and retail discounts, development opportunities, and appreciation programs.
- The Aquarist performs work necessary to provide daily animal care for the Zoo’s aquarium animals and ensures appropriate animal wellbeing (welfare).
- This position works with a variety of species and also performs husbandry practices such as life support and water quality maintenance, operant conditioning, enrichment strategy, and assisting with husbandry and enclosure furnishing and life support design.
- This position also strives to embody the Zoo’s values at all times, contributes to positive guest experiences, and performs other duties as required.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Cleans animal exhibits and animal holding areas including raking, siphoning, vacuuming, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing, and disinfecting.
- Maintains a clean, orderly working environment.
- Provides food and water to Zoo animals per established protocols. Presents food and water using species-appropriate methods.
- Reports observations related to animals to appropriate zoo staff.
- Maintains written and digital documentation of animal observations, water quality, and work performed as needed.
- Participates in the Fort Wayne Zoo dive program.
- Utilizes operant conditioning techniques to assist with animal health and management.
- Provides opportunities for animals to exhibit species-appropriate behavior through the use of exhibit furnishings and enrichment techniques.
- Develops enrichment strategies and plans for animals located in the Aquatics section.
- Conducts and documents regular animal wellbeing assessments.
- Engages with guests both informally and through formal presentations (e.g., Keeper Chats, Wild Encounters, VIP tours, etc.).
- Assists the Animal Care Supervisor and Area Curator with designing husbandry practices for the animals in the Aquatics section.
- Assists the Animal Care Supervisor and Area Curator with designing and planning enclosure furnishings and life support systems.
- Conducts minor repairs and improvements to animal exhibit/holding areas, life support systems, and public areas.
- Provides treatment to animals as directed by Supervisor and Veterinarian.
- Maintains all equipment and supplies in good working order.
- Obtains regular weights on animals when appropriate.
- Operates vehicles to transport supplies, equipment, and animals within the zoo and between other facilities.
- Participates in maintenance, operations, and education functions of the Zoo as necessary.
- Supports the Zoo’s commitment to continued growth of diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging for team members, volunteers, guests, and supporters.
- Assists with special projects and helps other team members as needed.
- Actively contributes to positive guest experiences.
Education and Experience
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.
- High school diploma or GED is required.
- Valid driver’s license is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in an animal-related field is preferred.
- One year of experience in an aquarium or zoological setting is preferred.
- PADI/NAUI SCUBA open water or higher certification is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Knowledge of advanced aquarium animal care and handling.
- Knowledge of water quality and life support system operation and maintenance.
- Knowledge of the natural history for the species under direct care.
- Knowledge of animal wellbeing concepts and ability to apply that knowledge to assess the wellbeing of individuals or groups of animals.
- Ability to endure high-stress situations when feeding, transferring, or restraining animals.
- Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing, dynamic work environment.
- Ability to professionally and effectively communicate with others through written correspondence.
- Ability to troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound business decisions.
- Ability to make independent decisions and manage time effectively.
- Ability to work a highly flexible schedule as required to successfully perform the requirements and functions of the position, including required weekend, evening, holiday, and irregular hours.
- Ability to handle confidential information.
- Ability to understand and follow all safety regulations.
- Ability to track and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Ability to arrive at work when scheduled and maintain a positive attendance record.
- Ability to serve as a goodwill ambassador, in every respect and at all times, for the Fort Wayne Zoological Society and the Fort Wayne Zoo in contacts with guests, partners, and the community.
- Ability to deal tactfully and politely with guest questions and misbehavior.
- Excellent communication skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, volunteers, partners, and the community.
Physical Demands
- 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 the essential functions.
- Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
- Ability to professionally and appropriately interact and communicate with others, both in person and through phone, email, and written correspondence.
- Ability to regularly travel assigned areas several times per day and efficiently enter all assigned areas.
- Ability to negotiate a confined workspace while working with one or more coworkers.
- Ability to handle and restrain a variety of aquatic animals.
- Ability to climb and work on ladders and standing for long periods of time.
- Ability to properly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, or muddy conditions.
- This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt, and dust; potentially dangerous or venomous animals; zoonotic diseases; noxious native plants; and native biting insects and arthropods.
- This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position.
- It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
