Animal Care Supervisor (Bird & Mammal) bei ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC

Description

As part of the OdySea Aquarium animal leadership team, this position is responsible for overseeing a designated team of people and collection of animals as well as the supporting the overall operation of the Animal Care and Education Department. This can include aspects of specialized personnel and diverse animals including (but not limited to) California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, two-toed sloths, African penguins, psittacines, toucans, reptiles, and small terrestrial mammals. A central responsibility of this position will be the development and management of educational animal presentations and interactions with guests. This individual will promote the correct understanding and application of operant conditioning and behavioral modification within the Animal Care team(s) and throughout the aquarium to enhance animal wellbeing. This individual will oversee all guest experiences that involve department specific taxa, such as Animal Encounters, animal appearances during special and after-hours events, scheduled Aquarium programming and events, and through PR and media promotion. Individual will be integral in educating aquarium guests about species survival and conservation through formal and informal presentations.   

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Supervise assigned staff in animal husbandry, behavioral training, and overall wellbeing.
• Develop and oversee educational presentations, shows, encounters, tours, and interactive programs.
• Represent OdySea Aquarium at schools, media events, and other offsite engagements.
• Provide positive guest interactions and experiences daily.
• Assist in updating and enforcing department Standard Operating Procedures, team training, and safety protocols.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance reviews of staff.
• Develop and implement enrichment plans for all animals.
• Participate in collection planning, exhibit development, educational initiatives, and conservation activities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented team environment.
• Inspect exhibits daily for cleanliness and structural integrity.
• Collaborate with other departments (Engineering & Maintenance, Life Support, Dive Operations, Guest Relations, Animal Care & Conservation) to optimize animal welfare and guest experiences.
• Work with Zoological leadership on diets, nutrition, husbandry, and protocols.
• Ensure accurate departmental recordkeeping.
• Oversee and approve gallery team members’ timecards.
• Maintain expertise in progressive animal care through professional development and participation in organizations (AZA, IMATA, etc.).
• Represent the Animal Care & Education department and OdySea Aquarium to visitors, professionals, investors, and media.
• Perform other duties as assigned by department leadership

 PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Computer/Microsoft literacy required.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to fifty pounds. 
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, as well as walk and run.
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, or crawl.
• Required to frequently talk and hear.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, and agility of movement which might interfere with ability to work.
• Specific vision requirements for this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Must be able to take directional cues directly or indirectly.
• Ability to work in an environment that may be loud at times.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including occasional extreme hot or cold, and wet and/or humid conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening and background check.
• Allergies related to animals or plants, which might interfere with ability to work, must be controlled by medications or personal protective equipment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology, Marine Science, or related discipline required. 
• Minimum 7 years’ experience working with marine and/or terrestrial animals in professional setting 
• Minimum 5 years leadership experience 
• Must be able to handle confidential information.
• SCUBA certification 
• Must be able to pass dive physical for dive safety program participation
• Excellent public speaking and showmanship experience 
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds 
• Must be able to access animal pools, exhibits, and enclosures 
• Must be a strong swimmer, with the ability to pass departmental swim test 
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, or irregular hours dictated by animal needs 
• Experience with neonate and juvenile rearing preferred 
• Life support experience preferred