To assist the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Mammal and Bird collections by supporting paid husbandry staff by preparing food and feeding animals, cleaning and maintaining exhibits, and facilitating guest interactions. Providing the highest quality of animal care, while supporting the Aquarium of the Pacific’s mission.
Some but not all animals in the collection include: Terrestrial and Aquatic Birds, Marine Mammals, a variety of Reptiles.
Essential Functions
- Provides for the needs of all animals within the Mammal and Bird Department by assisting with exhibit cleaning, diet preparation and feeding.
- Maintains exhibit cleanliness and hygiene, as well as cleanliness of behind-the-scenes areas.
- Maintains records, documentation, and data collection per Aquarium of the Pacific protocols.
- Learns to identify abnormal behaviors and medical conditions of exhibit animals, and report back to paid staff.
- Learn about biology and natural history of animals and be prepared to answer guest questions.
- Participation in shows, presentations, meet and greets and on the floor guest interactions.
- Public speaking and crowd management.
- Assists with training or enrichment of collection animals as needed.
- Could include: Terrestrial and Aquatic Birds and Marine Mammals.
- May assist with other projects.
Knowledge and Skills
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Possess skills to work independently and collaboratively.
- Problem solving and ability to make decisions on the spot or communicate if further assistance is required.
- Adheres to all safety practices and protocols.
- Fire, OSHA, USDA, USF&W, Dive, etc.
- Must be willing to remain flexible as needs within the Mammal and Bird department can change.
- Desire to fulfill the Mission of the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual 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 sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.
- Ability to balance, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist.
- Applicants must be able to navigate exhibit ladders and platforms and be on his/her feet for extended periods of time.
- Ability to see and hear.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 0-50lbs.
- Ability to pull and push up to 0-50lbs.
- Full functional range of motion in all major body joints from reaching, twisting, bending, simple and power gripping, fine and gross motor skills.
Mental Demands
The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with high levels of responsibility, empathy, frustration, and patience when it comes to the care of animals with basic needs.
- Resilience and ability to prioritize sometimes competing tasks and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues and guests, even when differing perspectives present potential for conflict.
- Strong problem-solving skills to analyze issues and find effective solutions and alternatives.
- Flexibility and adaptability to handle changes in schedules or responsibilities.
- Critical thinking and decision-making abilities to handle complex situations.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and respond to the needs of colleagues or customers.
- Ability to maintain composure and handle difficult situations with professionalism.
- Ability to cope with occasional illness, injury, or loss of animals.
Working Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Exposure to injury from animals.
- Ability to respond to unpredictable behavior by animals in the collection.
- Food preparation and feeding of fish and shellfish.
- Exposure to variations in temperature, humidity or wetness.
- Wet, dirty, uneven surfaces and walkways.
- Elevated platforms.
- Use of special auditory, visual, and personal protective equipment.
- Exposed to working with biohazards.
- Use of hand tools, machinery and company vehicles.
- Participate in and help with pest control and trap maintenance.
- Aquarium habitats and open ocean environments.
Training
- Aquarium 101, an introduction to the Aquarium’s operations and staff expectations.
- Meetings and evaluations for ongoing training and assessment.
- Mammal and Bird volunteers are assigned to a paid staff who assists in hands-on training and serves as the volunteer’s primary supervisor and mentor.
- As volunteers become fully trained, they will be expected to be able to work independently of paid staff when needed.
Commitment and Shift Availability
- One shift of 5 hours once a week on a regular day of the week for 1 year.
- Shift Availability:
- Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
- Monday: 12pm to 5pm
- Wednesday: 7am to 12pm
- Friday: 7am to 12pm
Application
Thank you for your interest but applications are closed at this time.
