At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission.  We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

This job posting has a priority application deadline of Tuesday, 1/21/2025
 
Job Summary:
Under moderate supervision, care for our live avian collection, sea otter collection and exhibits, as well as other live animal exhibits. With responsibility for overall animal health and well-being, water quality of assigned exhibits and galleries, routine maintenance of exhibits and associated infrastructure, documentation and record-keeping, animal training and enrichment, public sea otter/avian training sessions, and support of our sea otter surrogacy program. Work collaboratively with a team of husbandry professionals in the management of our sea otter/ avian collections  and infrastructure.  Maintain the highest animal care and exhibit maintenance standards that continually meet or exceed all AZA/USDA  accreditation standards.  Perform other duties as required.

Core Activities:                                                                                                                                

• Perform daily animal husbandry duties including but not limited to diet preparation, feeding, and live exhibit maintenance.
• Participate in formal otter/avian training sessions and maintain established behaviors of sea otter/ avian collection. Train new behaviors. Under the guidance/supervision of more senior staff.
• Conduct behavioral enrichment including implementation, monitoring/observation, recording/documentation, and/or development of species appropriate enrichment.
• Document husbandry tasks, animal observations, animal health records, animal welfare assessments, and other pertinent animal transactions into the Tracks software database in accordance with departmental standards.
• Conduct regular observations of animal health, behavior, and welfare to include detection of health issues and the conduction of formal animal welfare assessments.
• Support SCUBA dive operations for maintenance for sea otter exhibit. / Avian exhibits.
• Oversee the work of husbandry volunteers, interns, and more junior husbandry staff members.
• Perform capture and restraint of avian/ mammals to allow for medical evaluation, treatment, and relocations.  Administer medications and other medical therapy where necessary.
• Perform routine inspection and maintenance on critical water and mechanical systems and equipment, including but not limited to, fractionators, mechanical filters, UV sterilizers, small pumps, recirculation loops, and exhibit lighting systems. Monitor and analyze water quality of exhibit, animal holding, and quarantine systems.
• Assist with egg incubation and chick-rearing programs.
• Perform live public speaking presentations during feeding programs and animal encounters.

 
 
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology or related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• A minimum of 1 year of animal husbandry experience, preferably in the care of marine mammals/ avian husbandry experience, preferably in a zoo/aquarium setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of avian anatomy, behavior, animal care management, common health problems, diets, and nutrition. Knowledge of basic taxonomy and natural history of marine mammals
• Knowledge of training principles and operant conditioning techniques focused on positive reinforcement. Knowledge of animal enrichment programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of USDA/APHIS guidelines and regulations of marine mammals including but not limited to water quality/chemistry, housing standards, and sanitation as it pertains to marine mammal guidelines per the AWA (including the bacteria counts, salinity, temperature, etc.)
• Understanding of the operation of aquarium life support systems and various mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration components
• Demonstrated understanding of marine mammal animal health management and welfare with emphasis on sea otters
• SCUBA certification highly desirable; ability to pass an occupational dive physical highly desirable; ability to dive in full face masks
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Proficiency or the ability to quickly learn the Tracks animal database system
• Excellent interpersonal skills and desire to work in a productive team environment
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Aptitude for analytical and problem-solving
• Aptitude for using basic hand and power tools
• Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Value

 
Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment, basic hand and power tools, MBA vehicles, small boats
• Extended periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, and squatting
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs
• Typical office, main aquarium, aquarium exhibits, animal care spaces, outdoors field work (boats on open ocean, coastal habitats, tidepools, etc.)s

 
Hourly Compensation Range Minimum:
$22.00- $28.37 USD per hour. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.