Senior Aquarist bei National Aquarium

Job Title: Senior Aquarist

Posting Date: September 2025

Job Department: Blue Wonders/ACW

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site

Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Aquarist to join our team. This individual provides assigned specimens with excellent day-to-day care through approved husbandry practices; keep systems/enclosures, support equipment, and workspaces well maintained to NA standards; participate in the acquisition/disposition, transport, acclimation, and quarantine of animals; participate in the design, construction and maintenance of exhibits and reserve tanks, including life support material and equipment, as assigned. Will be responsible for providing coverage for other areas as assigned. Will be primary contact for assigned areas. Serves as an advisor and mentor to Aquarist staff on all aspects of husbandry procedures and protocols. Trains staff and supervises volunteers, interns and team projects and acts as a leader and role model for other staff members. Primarily functions as a jelly aquarist within the Jellies Invasion gallery and Culture Lab in the Blue Wonders department.

*Please provide us with CV and Cover Letter in PDF format in your application*

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

Responsible for the care and feeding of the animal collection and systems within assigned area.

• Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits and reserve tanks twice daily to check status and identify and report potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.
• Prepares food and feeds assigned animals/systems/enclosures, in accordance with dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils.
• Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep animals at peak health.
• Follows established feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to maintain animals at a healthy weight. Develops strategies to get in-appetent animals to feed. Monitors weights of animals.
• Utilizes various feeding techniques and develops new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet to all animals in systems/enclosures housing multiple animals and species.
• Observes and recognizes medical conditions that may require attention and reports observations. Discusses best course of therapy with Animal Health and Curatorial staff.
• Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as needed.
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends.
• Orders hardware, life-support supplies, aquarium supplies, and live animals as needed with Curatorial approval.
• Maintains current knowledge of all animal species under their care and their natural history (biology and environmental needs) and husbandry requirements through hands-on experience, upkeep with current literature, keeper exchange programs, and symposium participation (as approved).
• Researches species to determine established or new husbandry techniques.; Conducts literature review or hands on research.
• Assists with annual and routine physicals of animals.

Participates in the acquisition and transport of plants and animals.

• Arranges the acquisition of plants and animals from professional collectors, other institutions, and wholesalers.
• Participates in field collection trips using appropriate equipment. Lead and manage national collection trips, as assigned, including securing location, travel, and other logistics and developing budget and plan proposals.
• Executing collection trip while being fully accountable for finances and safety of staff participating. Ensures adequate animal holding facilities in accordance with biological requirements of the animals are available prior to collection of specimens.
• Maintains acquisition and disposition database.
• Prepares and maintains a manual with up-to-date information on all assigned systems/enclosures, reserve tanks, and their associated life-support systems and animals. Maintains weekly coverage notes for specific husbandry instructions.

Participates, taking a lead role, in the design and construction of new and renovated systems, maintenance, and appearance of existing exhibits and tanks, including life support materials and equipment.

• Maintains cleanliness and artistic quality of the displays through cleaning glass and decor, scrubbing algae and removing debris to meet established National Aquarium standards.
• Performs cleaning tasks, water changes, backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintain water quality standards, and determines appropriate schedules for maintenance and trouble-shooting guides.
• Cleans back-up areas including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water and pest control.
• Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, and chillers dealing with life support for the building.
• Participates in system design and fabrication in keeping with animal behavior and biological needs.

Serves as a representative of the Aquarium to the public and the media.

• Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.
• Produces specific applied research projects.
• Offers advice to other aquariums and zoos regarding aquarium techniques and advises home hobbyists on husbandry problems.

Trains and mentors new personnel including staff, volunteers, interns and visiting professionals in all aspects of husbandry.

Able to work well with supervisors and staff.

As Assigned serves as a volunteer or intern coordinator, conducts interviews and annual performance reviews

Responds to diver, life-support, and animal related emergencies, at times after hours.

• As scheduled, works cooperatively to execute response to mitigate alarms for planned incidents or drills, including after-hours when needed.
• May have responsibility for occasionally being on-call or responding to emergencies after-hours; responsibility may cross more than one department/section.

Provides back-up support to other departments as needed.

Possess keen observation skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.

Ability to oversee section, as assigned, in the absence of Curators and Assistant Curators.

Plans and implements special projects including minor exhibit renovations/ repairs.

Recommends species acquisitions that support exhibit themes and enhance visitor experience and learning.

Possess an affinity for animals, education orientation and conservation ethics.

Support organization mission

Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, or related major, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of three years’ experience in aquarium or zoological field with emphasis on closed aquatic systems
• Previous experience training and mentoring paid and/or unpaid staff within assigned section.
• Significant experience caring for and culturing a variety of jellyfish species
• Ability to be certified in the operation of a power lift truck and overhead crane
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and ability to learn to operate a variety of vehicles

Preferred:

• Experience culturing live foods
• Open water scuba certification
• CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record with the ability to operate a variety of vehicles

Competencies:

• Expected to act as a role model within and beyond the division; must professionally demonstrate good judgment and communication skills through interpersonal effectiveness and fostering a learning culture.
• Promote teamwork and a positive and productive work environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional business relationships with co-workers, volunteer staff, interns, colleagues at other facilities and outside vendors.
• Intermediate computer skills and the ability to accurately utilize all NA software programs.
• Capacity to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation of curatorial staff. 
• Willingness and ability to mentor new staff, volunteers, and interns while exhibiting the same or higher levels of technical skill/knowledge.
• Competence in research components including publications and research.
• Accountable to use independent judgement and critical thinking to problem solve, keeping human safety and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Innovation may be required to temporarily modify existing policies and procedures. Problems to solve are typically within the assigned section.
• Stays abreast of current trends in the related field to ensure that National Aquarium programs, policies, and protocols continue to evolve and improve.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION:

Hourly range ($21.78-27.67) with hours worked over 40 in a week eligible for overtime, premium pay for National Aquarium recognized holidays, and shift differential for overnight shifts. National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package including four weeks paid time off, six paid floating holidays, up to four weeks of paid family leave and conservation day leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work and 401(k) plan participation with employer match available. Employees receive a family membership package and Aquarium tickets.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.