Flint RiverQuarium is looking for a motivated professional to join our animal husbandry team. We are enrolled in AZA’s Pathway towards Membership pilot program and are committed to ensuring high standards of animal care and positive guest experience. The ideal candidate will be a dedicated person with a solid working knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial animal husbandry, aquarium safety, and animal care best practices. Teamwork is also essential to complete large projects and while participating in maintenance and show dives. We are committed to providing all staff with opportunities for development and advancement, both within and outside our facilities.  

BASIC JOB DUTIES 

• Prepare diets, feed, and provide water to assigned animals
• Clean exhibits and conduct water changes on a regular basis using best standard practices
• Sanitize/clean enclosure decor and food/water dishes as scheduled or necessary
• Perform approved enrichment and training activities
• Assist in the capture and restraint of animals
• Monitor water quality, including temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved Oxygen, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, copper, ozone, chlorine, and other miscellaneous levels
• Perform dive maintenance and diving demonstrations in the 175k gallon “Blue Hole” exhibit, as well as dive maintenance in our Gallery and Spring Run Creek exhibits
• Inspect animals for health problems; assist veterinarians with medical exams and procedures; administer medications to animals as trained
• Record relevant information in facility’s recordkeeping database (ZIMS)
• Perform routine repairs and maintenance on exhibits/enclosures as needed; construct improvements, furnishings, and decorations for exhibits; demolish unwanted structures; may shovel, rake, or scrub enclosure surfaces; may replace substrate, control weeds, and collect browse
• Assist in planning and conducting educational and interactive guest programs; engage the public to encourage curiosity and facilitate a positive experience 

EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES 

• High School Diploma, or equivalent (Aquarist I)
• Associate's Degree in a related field (Aquarist II)
• Previous aquatic animal husbandry and dive experience preferred
• Adequate knowledge about exotic animal husbandry and captive management; ability to build upon this knowledge and to adapt as necessary to animal collection changes
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to/from work
• Basic computer skills
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions on a daily basis; must be able to tolerate strong odors, dust, hay, dander, and dampness; may be required to stand or sit for extended periods of time and/or to twist, bend, crouch, squat, climb, crawl, kneel, jump, swim, or carry objects for short distances; may be exposed to chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, vehicles, and potentially dangerous animals
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, or on-call as scheduled/needed, as well as overtime work
• Willingness to participate in staff vaccination program to prevent zoonotic disease transfer, scheduled as recommended by CDC; may include tetanus, TB skin test, rabies, Hepatitis A & B, Covid-19, Influenza; vaccinations may be provided to successful candidates
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid certification or receipt of certification within 90 days of employment
• Current SCUBA certification or receipt of certification within 90 days of employment
• All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a drug and background investigation. 

ALBANY AREA 

The Albany Metropolitan area includes welcoming cities such as Leesburg, Putney, Sylvester, and Sasser. These cities boast cost-of-living numbers much lower than the national average and are all within easy commute of Flint RiverQuarium. 

• Leesburg: 13% lower COL, 18 minute commute
• Putney: 28% lower COL, 15 minute commute
• Sylvester: 26% lower COL, 28 minute commute
• Sasser: 24% lower COL, 22 minute commute 

PAY AND BENEFITS 

• Full-time (40-hours per week), hourly
• Commensurate with experience, generally $22k-30k per year
• Benefits include paid-time-off; paid sick leave; vision, dental, life, and health insurance
• Participation in staff vaccination program
• Relocation package available to eligible new hires.