Asst Director Husbandry en Gatlinburg Aquarium

Job Title: Assistant Director of Husbandry

Reports to: Director of Husbandry
Department: Animal Care / Husbandry
FLSA Status: Exempt (Full-Time)

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Husbandry supports the Director of Husbandry in leading all aspects of aquatic animal care, health, and welfare within the aquarium. This position oversees daily husbandry operations, manages staff, and ensures that all aquatic life support systems and exhibits function optimally. The Assistant Director plays a key role in strategic collection planning, exhibit development, conservation initiatives, and ensuring compliance with AZA accreditation and other regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the care of marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and other aquatic species, as well as terrestrials, ensuring optimal welfare and exhibit presentation.
• Assist in developing, implementing and improving aquarium-wide husbandry protocols, enrichment strategies, and health monitoring programs.
• Supervise and mentor husbandry supervisors, aquarists, and dive teams to maintain best practices in animal care and exhibit quality.
• Collaborate closely with veterinary staff to monitor animal health, lead quarantine operations, and manage animal transfers and acquisitions.
• Oversee operation and maintenance of complex aquatic Life Support Systems (LSS), working with facilities teams to ensure high water quality and system reliability.
• Assist in developing and executing animal collection plans, including population management, conservation breeding programs, and sustainable sourcing.
• Support exhibit design and renovation projects, contributing expertise in aquatic and terrestrial species needs and LSS design.
• Ensure compliance with AZA accreditation standards, USDA, NOAA, OSHA, and all relevant federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage departmental budgets, purchasing, and inventory of husbandry equipment, feeds, and supplies.
• Collaborate with education and outreach teams to support conservation messaging and public engagement initiatives.
• Serve as Acting Director of Husbandry when required and represent the aquarium at conferences and professional gatherings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Aquatic Sciences, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive animal care experience in a public aquarium, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Advanced understanding of marine and freshwater species husbandry, aquaculture techniques, and aquatic exhibit design.
• Demonstrated expertise in aquatic Life Support Systems (LSS), water quality testing, and system troubleshooting.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including divers and animal care professionals.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, weekends, holidays, and participate in on-call rotation.

Preferred Skills:

• SCUBA certification
• Experience with AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP) and sustainable collection management.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale exhibit installations or renovations.
• Knowledge of conservation initiatives, wildlife permits, and animal transport logistics.