Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals

Please email a Resume and Cover Letter to:

This full time, permanent position offers competitive benefits including fully covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance. The Aquarium additionally offers a 403b matching retirement account, 16 vacation days, 9 holidays, paid sick time, and an Employee Assistance Program.

This position is exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

OREGON COAST AQUARIUM, INC.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals

REPORTS TO: Curator of Marine Mammals, or in absence of Curator, Director of Animal Husbandry

JOB SUMMARY: The Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals working in conjunction with or in lieu of Curator of Marine Mammals: maintains a healthy animal collection with the best methods and resources available and establishes and maintains attractive and informative marine mammal exhibits consistent with the guidelines, procedures and policies of the Aquarium. The assistant curator is responsible for positively contributing to the work experience and development of the mammal team. This position is designed to relieve much of the day-to-day supervision/operation of the department and to cover any of the curatorial duties listed below, in the absence of the Curator.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Recommends programs and policies to the Curator of Marine Mammals and Director of Animal Husbandry to ensure that the operations assigned are managed effectively and reflect current trends in animal husbandry and life support. Those recommendations are reviewed and prioritized by the Director of Animal Husbandry and forwarded to the Aquarium's Senior Management.

2. In conjunction with Curator of Marine Mammals, provides for and supervises the husbandry of all marine mammals in the collection according to the best available methods in animal care, nutrition and medical treatment.

3. Works with the Curator of Marine Mammals and Director of Animal Husbandry to oversee and participate in the animal medical care program of the Aquarium.

4. Participates in the planning of new exhibit design and construction. Provides input for exhibit upgrades that will provide the highest possible level of visitor education and enjoyment.

5. Provides input to Curator of Marine Mammals for performance evaluations of mammalogists.

6. In lieu of Curator of Marine Mammals, plans, directs and conducts research in all appropriate subjects related to animal care and life support.

7. Provide for and supervise the maintenance of unobstructed and clean working areas to ensure the safety of employees and to prevent contamination of food, supplies, and water.

8. In conjunction with or in leu of Curator of Marine Mammals: Oversees and coordinates with other departments, and state and federal agencies, the response and care for rehab mammals.
9. Through consistent and timely communication with the Manager of Life Support Systems, ensures all life support systems operate in a manner consistent with the health and welfare of the collection.
10. Assists Curator in managing staff including training, scheduling, and the assignment of specific tasks and follow up.
11. Leads staff by creating enriching work experience through intentional training, meaningful feedback, and modeling positive behaviors.
12. Implements and maintains an animal record keeping system.
13. In Lieu of Curator and with direction of the Director, provides for the procurement of specimens consistent with Aquarium, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and state and federal regulations.
14. Provides input to Curator of Marine Mammals: Preparing the annual operating budget for the mammal department. In Lieu of Curator, reviews and approves requisitions for supplies and services for the area within the approved budget. Maintains spending within monthly and yearly budget parameters.
15. Provides for and review as appropriate, information for presentations to (and tours for) visitors, media and staff concerning the marine mammal collection.
16. Directs interactions with the public and media in a friendly and professional manner.
17. Prepare written and oral reports as needed, for Aquarium publications.
18. Creates and implements educational animal presentations for our visitors in collaboration with the Public Program Department.
19. Maintains training programs in the marine mammal collection using operant conditioning.

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical extension of the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

In conjunction with, or in leu of Curator: Supervise mammalogist staff, interns, and volunteers.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Minimum levels)

A degree in biology or zoology related field is required. Incumbent must have 5 years of experience in working with marine mammals.

Knowledge of and ability to use computers and standard, commonly accepted computer programs is required. Ability to work under limited supervision, both independently and in a team environment. Ability to gain and maintain scuba diving certification is highly desirable.

The Assistant Curator must be able to gain and hold a valid Oregondriver's license; truck or van experience is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work involves considerable standing and moving about on surfaces that are often wet and slippery. The incumbent must be able to work with their arms immersed in cold water for long periods of time. The ability to ascend and descend steep ladders/steps is required. The ability to lift and carry up to 60 pounds using proper techniques is required. The work involves repetitive movements such as bending, crouching and scrubbing.

MENTAL, HEARING, AND VISUAL DEMANDS:

The work involves continuous mental and visual attention involving reading, analyzing, visualizing, or otherwise performing very involved, comprehensive work. The incumbent must be able to differentiate the sounds of various animal vocalizations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work is typically performed working in and around pools of cold sea water. Some sedentary work is required when performing record keeping and other administrative duties at a computer station.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Compliance with appropriate company standards is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person