Rehabilitation Biologist

General Purpose:

Coordinates the day-to-day husbandry and medical care of marine turtles and marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation for the purpose of release back to the natural environment. Responsible for maintaining rehabilitation pools, equipment, and workspaces to National Aquarium, NOAA Fisheries Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service standards. Fully accountable for the patients and systems under their care. Performs medical treatments as prescribed, including administration of oral, topical, IM, SC, and IV treatments, and blood draw and processing. Coordinates animal intake, transport, or release operations as directed; participate in transport/release. Participates in planning and implementation of special projects (renovations, enrichment, etc) as assigned. Assists in training and supervising seasonal Rescue staff including aides, interns, and volunteers. Contributes to the development and refinement of policies and procedures relating to the essential functions of the assigned section, as directed. As scheduled, provide 24-hour coverage of Stranding Hotline, and provide exemplary customer service. Work cooperatively across NA departments to manage and execute the Aquarium's regional response to live-stranded marine mammals and sea turtles according to established protocols.

Essential Functions:

Pinniped and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Operations

* Coordinates the day-to-day husbandry and medical care of sea turtles and marine mammals in rehabilitation, including cleaning and maintenance of rehabilitation facilities, life support, animal enclosures, & equipment according to established protocols.

o Completes inspection rounds of patients, life support systems, and enclosures daily to check status and identify and report any potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.

o Develops feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Develops strategies to get inappetent patients to eat and monitors their weight.

o Utilizes various feeding techniques and develops new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet and medications to the appropriate patients when animals are housed together.

o Observes and recognizes changes in patient behavior, medical condition, and appetite and reports observations. Discusses best course with appropriate Animal Rescue and Animal Health staff to implement treatment plans.

o Provides safe restraint and handling of animals during husbandry and clinical procedures.

o Maintains detailed, daily animal and medical records in accordance with federal and aquarium standards using computerized medical system and hardcopy files. Reviews records regularly to identify important trends and reports them to the Rehabilitation Manager.

o Develops thorough understanding of behavioral models to accomplish conditioning, enrichment, and husbandry goals for animals in rehabilitation, with an emphasis on ensuring releasable animals maintain natural behaviors.

o Monitors patient food supply and ensures proper food rotation. Orders food, hardware, husbandry supplies, medical treatment supplies, and supplements as needed.

o Observes animal behavior such as intra- species aggression, feeding, habitat use, etc., and gathers data to advise on management decisions.

o Monitors, operates, and maintains life support equipment. Performs water changes, backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintains water quality standards.

* Performs medical treatment functions as prescribed, including administration of oral, topical, IM, SC, and IV treatments, and blood draw and processing.
* Assists in training and supervising seasonal Rescue staff including aides, interns, and volunteers.
* Contributes to the development and refinement of policies and procedures relating to the essential functions of the assigned section, as directed.
* Responsible for the organization and functionality of rehabilitation and support spaces.
* Assists manager with purchasing, reports, and admin duties as assigned.
* Coordinates animal intake, transport, or release operations as directed; participate in transport/release. operations.
* As assigned by manager, may be responsible for being a volunteer or intern coordinator/supervisor with assigned interns or volunteers reporting directly to them. Conducts annual performance reviews for assigned interns or volunteers.

Stranding and Emergency Response

* As scheduled, provide 24-hour coverage of Stranding Hotline, and provide exemplary customer service.
* Work cooperatively across NA departments to manage and execute the Aquarium's regional response to live-stranded marine mammals and sea turtles according to established protocols.
* Implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and Incident Action Plans (IAP's) related to stranding response, manage events under the Incident Command System, and ensure staff and animal safety.
* Provides operational and logistical support to stranding events, and as requested by Maryland Department of Natural Resources and NOAA.

Program Operations

* Participates in outreach and continuing education.

o Supports collection of digital content (photos, videos, etc) as directed.

o Provides back-up tours, formal and informal public presentations, and guest engagement as directed

o Participates in and presents at workshops, lectures, seminars, trainings, and other continuing education opportunities.

* Represents NA in partnerships with outside organizations working on common projects or goals.
* Participates in approved research projects.
* Acts as section liaison and lead in the absence of managerial staff as assigned.
* Attends weekly staff department meetings, committee meetings, and quarterly full staff meetings.
* Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
* Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

Required:

* Bachelor's degree in biology, aquatic sciences, environmental or related science or equivalent experience.
* Minimum of two years previous professional work experience with a rehabilitation, and or stranding response organization with preference to those with experience with both pinnipeds and sea turtles (especially cold stunned sea turtles).
* Employees assigned to this position must possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
* Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and occasional evenings.
* Ability to climb ladders, lift and carry 50 lbs, and physically restrain large, wild animals.

Preferred:

* Ability and willingness to mentor and train interns and volunteers
* Previous experience with life support of closed systems.
* Familiarity with electronic animal record keeping software systems (i.e. Tracks, ZIMS, etc.)
* CPR/AED and basic First-Aid Certification
* 24hr HAZWOPER Certification.

Competencies:

* Must have detailed knowledge about sea turtle and/or marine mammal biology and have an affinity for wild animals, including a reasonable comfort level around large and/or aggressive animals.
* Competent regarding wound treatment, preparation and administration of oral and injectable medications, basic diagnostics, and familiar with quarantine protocols.
* Must be able to apply solid knowledge of biology, and zoology to a rehabilitation setting.
* Adept at observation and the ability to watch for changes in patient health, monitor eating patterns, and any changes in behavior.
* Must have the capacity to make decisions, based on the best interest of the animals, public health, and staff safety.
* Must be able to work productively in a teamwork environment.
* Familiarity with computers is necessary, including MS Office software (Word/Excel/Teams), Zoom, and Adobe; ability to learn & effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software.
* Must be able to follow established policies and protocols.
* Must be able to work well under direction and have capacity to absorb feedback from manager or staff and have the capacity to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation from manager