Marine Mammal Trainer

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**:

- This position is responsible for the daily care and welfare of the collection of Steller sea lions, harbour seals, northern fur seals, northern sea otters, and a Californian sea lion. This position will facilitate daily presentations, interactive programs and provide professional and courteous experiences to guests. Collaborate with active scientists in the field to collect data when research projects arise. Responsibilities include but are not limited to diet preparation, environmental enrichment, facility/habitat maintenance, record keeping, develop and implement training regimes, and animal observation/monitoring. Making impactful connections with visitors since 1951, the aquarium is proudly accredited by AZA, CAZA, AAMPA, LEED GOLD and American Human._

**This is a one-year contract position.**

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Assists in Research and Educational Activities by**:

- Making daily observations of animals and reporting any abnormities to staff supervisor;
- Conditioning behaviour and acclimatizing both naive and experienced animals with supervision. Tracking number of behaviours trained;
- Performing all primary as well as supportive roles in education and general public shows. Fine tune speaking skills and stage presence and ability to talk on mic;
- Contributing to the development and implementation of established training goals;
- Taking on the responsibility of guest relations and teaching of same to Assistant Trainers as delegated.

**Ensures continuous excellence in the care of the various large & small marine mammals by**:

- Performing all daily husbandry tasks including administration of vitamins and medication as directed, food preparation, maintaining a safe and sanitary working area and animal living environment;
- Maintaining all equipment, area responsibilities, animal records, and departmental notebooks on a daily basis;
- Assisting in animal transport;
- Being responsible for guest, personal and animal safety by bringing potentially dangerous situations to the attention of the area supervisor;
- Being responsible for guest personal & animal safety by being aware of the behavioural precursors of potentially harmful behaviour by both animals and people and takes responsibility for training alternate, appropriate responses.

**Assists the Marine Mammal Department by**:

- Maintaining a high level of motivation and a consistent professional approach to your job;
- Maintaining the departments standard of excellent physical condition as needed to perform all aspects of the job safely through a regular exercise program.
- Functioning as a team member showing consideration, tolerance, cooperation, reliability and ability to accept constructive feedback;
- Performing these duties as the department requires regardless of time, day or location.

**Consciously desires to improve Vancouver Aquarium and its processes by**:

- Adhering to all Vancouver Aquarium and departmental policies;
- Promptly aiding in Emergency protocol;
- Maintaining organizational safety standards;
- Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations;
- Performing other duties of similar nature or level.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education and Experience**
- Minimum of **3 years** of working at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment or internships;
- Sea lion and/or sea otter experience desired
- Appropriate university degree;
- Job title and compensation will be determined based upon level of experience.

**Skills**
- Knowledge of animal husbandry;
- Ability to develop skills with animals for veterinary, research and educational activities;
- Basic understanding of animal behaviour (including pinnipeds) and the ability to observe, interpret, capture and communicate animal activities;
- Excellent interpretive and public speaking skills.

**Working Conditions**
- Hours to include evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays, and may include extended overnight hours for animal observation;
- Exposure to animal bites, potential pathogens & chemicals;
- Job requires high degree of alertness to changing conditions when working with large animals;
- Requires standing for periods of time;
- Exposure to slippery conditions and uneven surfaces. Required to work in extreme weather conditions;
- Ability to carry heavy and awkward items up to 50 lbs.

**WORK CULTURE**

At VanAqua, we care about the well-being of our employees and offer support at all levels within our organization. We foster an environment of learning, supported by leaders who listen, where you are encouraged to voice opinions and share new ideas. We have dev