Aquarium Biologist

Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on working towards bringing families closer together and to creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values - greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, constantly improving - give us purpose and guidance.

**SUMMARY**:

- Reporting to the Assistant Curator and Curator, Fishes Department, the Aquarium Biologist is responsible for developing, maintaining and interpreting various aquatic environments, through the acquisition, display, husbandry and culture of live aquatic organisms. The taxa involved may include temperate and tropical fishes and invertebrates in fresh and saltwater environments._

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
**Maintains the aquatic environments in the Fishes areas by**:

- Monitoring and maintaining assigned exhibits, reserve tanks, cultures and associated animal collection;
- Ensuring the appropriate nutritional requirements, water quality and other environmental conditions are provided and maintained for the specimens;
- Ensuring disease prevention and control are coordinated with senior biologists, managers and veterinarian staff;
- Completing and maintaining daily animal care/husbandry records;
- Providing husbandry expertise and maintenance of live food cultures required for specimen feeding.

**Develops the aquatic environments in the Fishes areas by**:

- Assisting in planning, constructing and maintaining exhibits to represent natural aquatic habitat;
- Assisting in acquiring new species or new specimens of existing species for display;
- Conducting research into husbandry and life history of resident and proposed species, as directed;

**Interprets the aquatic environments in the Fishes area by**:

- Researching and responding to questions from the public regarding specimens and husbandry;
- Promoting awareness of the Aquarium by providing talks or presentations to school groups, clubs, or the general public.

**Assists the Fishes Department by**:

- Assisting in shipping and receiving of live specimens;
- Coordinating, training and monitoring the activities of the Assistant Aquarium Biologists

**Consciously improves the overall organization and its processes by**:

- Promptly aiding in emergency protocol;
- Maintaining and supporting organizational safety standards;
- Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations by supporting our Environmental Management Systems (EMS) protocols;
- Performing additional duties as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education and Experience**
- A post-secondary degree/diploma in field of biology or equivalent work experience required;
- Direct experience in aquatic animal husbandry and propagation, preferably with fishes and invertebrates;
- Valid BC Driver’s License required;
- WHMIS Certification required (training provided);
- Boat handling experience would be an asset;

**Technical Competencies**
- Thorough understanding of closed life support system operation;
- Ability to work in a team and self-direct with mínimal supervision;
- Strong observational skills and attention to detail;
- Strong customer service skills;
- Actively demonstrates company’s values and mission.

***:
**WORKING CONDITIONS**:

- Incumbents must be able to safely lift up to 50lbs on a regular basis;
- Job requires strength and endurance;
- Use of a shared office environment with the usual ergonomic risks;
- Job requires working in constrictive ways and/or in awkward positions as well as constant exposure to wet and slippery conditions;
- Incumbent must be able to safely work with hazardous products using all appropriate safety protocols;
- Handling live marine invertebrates, fish and other animals, as well as their food; exposure to live or dead animals may result in stings, punctures and cuts;
- Required to carry a radio and be accessible for calls;
- Flexibility and availability in schedule are required during the week, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

**SALARY RANGE: $24 - $34 PER HOUR