AAQ - Biologist Aide Birds & Mammals

Join Our Dynamic Birds and Mammals Team at Adventure Aquarium! We are seeking a passionate and dedicated individual. Pay is $20.50 per hour. In this role, you will work closely with Curators, Senior Biologists, and occasionally the Husbandry Director to support the daily operations of our Birds and Mammals exhibits. Key responsibilities include all aspects of animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and management of holding systems.

What you'll do

• Provide for the needs of all animals in Hippo Haven, Penguin Island, and Little Blue Beach by doing exhibit cleaning and holding system maintenance, diet preparation and feeding, and enrichment.
• Presents daily shows and presentations for the public.
• Maintain records pertaining to feeding, water quality analysis, behavioral observations, training activities, and medical procedures.
• Maintain exhibit quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities.
• Keep the work area clean and organized and report mechanical failures to supervisors in a timely way.
• Assist in Husbandry department activities when needed.
• Participate in Aquarium-related education, public relations, and membership programs, including facility tours and lectures.
• Comply with safety and security directives, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• This position has been identified as Safety Critical with authorized operator requirements.

What you'll bring

• 1-2 years of related experience
• Bachelor's Degree in biology or a related field is preferred. Animal care experience can be substituted for a degree.
• Internships or volunteer work in a zoo or aquarium preferred.
• Ability to pass a swim test.
• SCUBA certification or the ability to complete SCUBA certification within three months of the start date preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Who You Are

You are someone who strives for excellence in all you do. You are friendly and communicate well with all levels of employees. You are excited about joining a company that operates as a team, all working together to achieve the same company goals.

What you'll get

• Hourly rate of $20.50
• Comprehensive Benefits plan through Cigna
• Paid Time-Off: You will be eligible to earn up to 80 Hours of vacation time, NJ Sick time, one week of personal time, and eight paid company holidays based on a full calendar year.
• NJ Sick Time: AAQ will provide 3 days (24 hours) of sick leave up front, which would normally take 720 hours of work to accrue. After you've completed 720 hours of work, you will begin to accrue additional NJ Sick Leave, up to a total of 40 hours per year.
• 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan after 3 months of service.
• Day one access to fully funded tuition and tuition assistance programs through our GROW U program.
• Free admission and General Admission tickets annually, to be used by family and friends.
• Complimentary tickets to local attractions when available.
• 30% Discount at our Retail and Photo areas and in-house food vendors.
• Training and development.

Special Requirements:

• Successful completion of pre-employment background and drug screening.
• Capable of performing strenuous and heavy physical labor.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods, climb stairs, bend, and stoop.
• Allergies related to animals or plants, which might interfere with the ability to work, must be controlled by medications or protective equipment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to safely perform the job.

Note: This position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially hazardous machinery, restraint devices, and toxic chemicals and drugs. Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required. (e.g., Goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns)

About us:

As a Herschend Family Entertainment property, Adventure Aquarium is in the business of creating memories worth repeating by greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and seeking constant improvement. Stewardship, guest satisfaction, and team member satisfaction are our core areas of focus. We aim to be a great place to work for great people by leading with patience, kindness, humility, respect, unselfishness, forgiveness, truthfulness, and trust. Together, we will create emotional connections that will last a lifetime!

Adventure Aquarium, A Herschend Family Entertainment Property, maintains a continuing policy of non-discrimination in employment. Herschend is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by law. Furthermore, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of non-discrimination shall include, but not be limited to, the following employment decisions and practices: recruiting, hiring, promotions, demotions or transfers, layoffs, recalls, terminations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation; selection for training, including apprenticeship; and recruitment or recruitment advertising.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.