Assistant Curator, Canadian Waters and Propagation

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 Curator, the Assistant Curator, Canadian Waters and Propagation is responsible for supporting the development, management and maintenance of the Aquarium’s temperate and Arctic fish/invertebrate and frog displays, propagation programs, protocols and procedures. The Assistant Curator, Canadian Waters and Propagation trains, coaches, mentors and ensures proper performance management for department employees. Supports the Aquarium’s live collection, habitats, displays and programs and directs and coordinates the activities of staff. Gives input and supports the development of educational and engaging exhibits and presentations to the public. Contributes to, and supports, the long term goals of the department (1-5 years)._

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
**Supports the planning and execution of agreed upon strategies related to the world class care of our animal collections**:

- Supporting all aspects and requirements of the Canadian Waters and Propagation department required to meet or exceed all professional accredited standards and guidelines, and remain in compliance with all laws and regulations.
- Supporting appropriate animal management and husbandry practices on a daily basis;
- Supporting the compliance of off-site Vancouver Aquarium animal operations with professional standards of animal care;
- Supporting a strong collaborative relationship with the veterinary staff and the continuous advancement of a preventative animal health care program consistent with the size and complexities of the animal collection.
- Supporting an investigative and research based approach to on-going improvements in the display and husbandry of the animal collection, including development of reports, articles, papers and presentation and encouraging presentation at conferences etc.;
- Providing animal expertise to the Exhibits Committee in the absence of the Curator, and supporting the exhibits and marketing teams to create and launch new exhibits;
- Supporting the implementation and utilization of a rigorous animal records system

**Supports the delivery of a world-class visitor experience that engages, amazes and inspires the visitor through flexible and creative planning of the animal collection and animal exhibits**:

- Participating as an active member of the exhibits process to ensure world class visitor experience delivery;
- Ensuring that best practices for animal exhibit standards are maintained;
- Ensuring that animal operations teams deliver the guest experience according to expectations.
- Working closely with the Curator of Canadian Waters and Propagation to develop new animal-based programming;
- Promotes internal and external education and awareness of the collection through educational and entertaining informal and formal presentations.

**Provides assistance and support to the Curator of Canadian Waters and Propagation**:

- Reviewing and approving employee timesheets;
- Maintaining a shift schedule;
- Assisting in overseeing departmental budgets and providing regular status updates to the Curator, noting any variances;
- Contributing to department goals;
- Providing guidance to employees on projects and daily logistics;
- Leading departmental meetings as assigned by the Curator; ensuring proper agendas are set and action items are followed up;
- Coordinating special projects as assigned by the Curator.

**Provides management, coaching and mentoring to Direct Reports and contributes to and fosters the development of the team**:

- Supporting an environment conducive to individual development, productivity, and achievement while ensuring open lines of communication;
- Ensuring that employees are well organized, sufficiently trained/cross-trained to perform their responsibilities, developed to their potential and deployed in a manner that permits a cost-effective operation;
- Planning and facilitating individual touch bases (ITBs), group touch bases (GTBs), and skill-building sessions where appropriate;
- Providing direction, guidance and support to team members and motivating staff to achieve a high level of performance and productivity;
- Establishing performance objectives/goals, reviewing progress throughout the year, and completing formal performance reviews for direct reports as required;
- Recognizing and rewarding success, and managing poor performance;
- Developing and obtaining agreement on development plans for all direct reports, recommending training courses and seminars where appropriate;
- Recruiting, hiring and promoting team members in accordance with standard Aquarium policies as assigned.
- Monitoring and controlli