Aquarium Curator

**Location**: Gibsons (Sunshine Coast), BC

**Start Date**: ASAP

**Hours**: Full time, 37.5 hrs week

**Duration**: Permanent

**Compensation**:Manager Level I, salary commensurate with experience, 3 weeks vacation, cash supplement in-lieu of benefits, on-call supplement, cell phone allowance

**Closing Date**: Open until filled

**Role Overview**:The Curator will have a strong background in animal husbandry and management experience. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Curator is responsible for the day-to-day management of the aquarium. This includes animal health, system facilities and equipment, the visitor experience and supervising those charged with caring for the animals, including interpreters, aquarists, students, and volunteers.The Curator is responsible for annual activities such as: collection and release planning with the Dive Safety Officer, exhibit design, new construction, and community activities. The Curator will work closely with the Executive Director and other members of the staff to create long-term strategic plans for the centre.The Curator coordinates the business affairs of the aquarium including social media and earned revenue generation and supports delivery of educational and conservation programming as required.The Curator engages in professional development and networking to advance the goals of the aquarium.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**1. SYSTEM HEALTH**- Oversee animal husbandry procedures, including the daily care of animals, establishing proper nutritional programs, and managing animal health in partnership with veterinary staff. Manage and oversee maintenance of recirculating life support system. Be knowledgeable about the animals’ habitats, daily care, dietary needs, and social and reproduction habits. Maintain inventories of animals, health and observation records. Develop, maintain and enforce standards of animal care policies and procedures. Develop an on-call plan to respond to system emergencies and participate in scheduled on-call duties.

**2. HUMAN RESOURCES**- Manage a volunteer program that includes the recruitment, engagement and successful retention of volunteers. Coordinate, train and manage volunteer staff. Interview, hire, train and supervise aquarist staff, interpreters and co-op students. Build and manage the NSMEC staff schedule to meet budget, activity and animal health requirements.

**3. CURATION AND EDUCATION**- Develop, implement and coordinate activities to deliver a motivating visitor experience, such as animal collection planning, exhibit and habitat design, new construction, and community activities. Develop visitor experiences and participate in outreach activities. Monitor and evaluate activities and report results. Work with the Manager, Programs on the scheduling of educational programs and interpretive activities. Be available to assist the Manager, Programs with program delivery, if required.

**4. BUSINESS OPERATIONS**- Coordinate the business affairs of the aquarium. In collaboration with the Executive Director and staff members create long-term strategic plans and developobjectives that are based on the philosophy of the organization. Prepare budgets and reports. Operate within approved budgets. Deliver communications within an approved plan including social media, information for newspaper reportsand magazine stories. Manage the NSMEC virtual experiences and produce social media content (Facebook, Instagram), includingmonthly newsletter. Work with volunteers and staff to promote revenue producing programs and activities for communitymembers and visitors. Develop policy for board approval and implement and ensure policy requirements are achieved.

**5. PARTNERSHIPS**- Engage in professional development and networking. Attend scientific conferences upon approval to keep up to date with development in the field. Work on special projects as directed by the Executive Director including grant writing. Interface with colleagues from organizations in collaborative conservation efforts. Represent NSMEC in collaborative efforts with similar organizations. In this capacity, exchange information,assemble the necessary permits and paperwork to affect collections from the wild or transfers.

**IMPACT OF DECISION MAKING**:The Curator - Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre is responsible for:

- Identifying strategic opportunities within the centre. Organizing and delivering reports on animal health, admissions and visitor experiences. Establishing and maintaining effective programs and systems, processes and procedures, and evaluationmethods. Developing effective exhibits that help connect people with nature and encourage attitude and behaviouralchanges that promote and advance conservation. Contributing to the revenue producing activities of the aquarium. Managing the NSMEC website and social media channels.

**RELATIONSHIPS**: Establishes and maintains relationships and alliances. Maintains effective communications. Shares info