Job Title:                  Aquarist 1

Division:                  Midway North America – SEA LIFE Aquarium

Grade:                     F                      

Classification:          Non-Exempt

Department:           Displays

Reporting to:           Curator

Direct Reports:       Not Applicable

Job Title:                  Aquarist 1

Division:                  Midway North America – SEA LIFE Aquarium

Grade:                     F                      

Classification:          Non-Exempt

Department:           Displays

Reporting to:           Curator

Direct Reports:       Not Applicable

Essential Job Functions

• Adopts a passionate approach to guest service by maximizing guest engagement with creatures.
• Delivers world-class aquatic and terrestrial displays by actively listening, communicating, and engaging with team members, managers, and guests.
• Follow the sites animal care protocols and programs such as understanding the dietary and nutritional needs of animals, proper preparation, and storage of food.
• Ability to handle and transport animals safely under guidance.
• Basic understanding of animal welfare principles, animal behaviour, and husbandry development.
• Ability to understand and perform the basics of animal training and enrichment.
• Ability to learn how to utilize all tools and perform basic water chemistry analysis and spot basic trends in readings. (pH, Temperature, DO, NH3, NO2, NO3, Salinity, Alkalinity, Phosphates, TRO's, and any other parameters as required by site)

• Follow Standard Operating Procedures as needed.
• Ability to suggest realistic features in tank theming that are safe for the guests and immerse them in the display to create a memorable guest experience.
• Ability to understand the principles biocontainment and to eliminate contamination using industry standards.
• Ability to perform daily observations, monitoring for health issues and common types of parasites.
• Under guidance, understand the proper drug administration, storage, disposal, and show the ability to carry out prescribed treatments.
• Ability to perform a necropsy, identifying organs, any abnormalities, takes samples and record findings.
• Ability to understand and perform operational procedures of basic filtration and life support systems.
• Ability to maintain proper records and maintenance schedules.
• Ability to follow the policies and procedure to maintain health, safety and security matters pertaining to team, guests, and animals, adhere to reporting procedures.
• Improve health and safety culture, reporting standards and resolution of safety issues/concerns.
• Must be Open Water Certified with the ability to gain Rescue Certification.
• Must pass a dive physical.
• Deliver diving operations on site safely by working in adherence to the Global SEA LIFE Dive Policy.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities

• Ability to educate team members about creatures as needed.
• Can problem solve daily issues as they arise.
• Demonstrates ability to “think-on-feet”.
• Demonstrates the Merlin Values at every opportunity.
• Follow the SEA LIFE Animal Ethical Sourcing protocols and assisting in managing site collections to maximize animal welfare.
• Support SEA LIFE’s conservation efforts and initiatives through education and involvement.

Health & Safety

Team Members are responsible for ensuring all Health, Safety & Security measures are in line with the Group Policy (HS001). In particular, they must ensure that they follow all Company measure to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. This includes ensuring risk assessments are signed off, safe working procedures are in place and being followed for all work activities. Where incidents do occur, an Aquarist I level team member must ensure that these are brought to the attention of the Displays Supervisor or Curator in order for an incident report to be completed and corrective action is taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

Education and Experience

• B.A/B.S. degree in Life Sciences (Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, and Psychology) or a two year certification from an accredited aquarium science/zoological program is preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience preferred, but not required.

Work Environment

• Various areas inside and outside of the Attraction, with varying temperatures and floor surfaces and heights. Ability to work in or under water. Occasional travel to other Merlin Entertainments properties or other Non-Merlin attractions as needed.

Working Pattern:

• This position requires flexibility. Work hours require early mornings. Occasional late afternoons, evenings and may require overnight shifts. 
• Will require some weekends and holidays
• Days worked are five out of seven