Biologist 2 (Quarantine and Offsites)

Position Summary

The Biologist 2 is responsible for the daily husbandry and operational oversight of assigned areas. This position is responsible for managing and caring for The Florida Aquarium’s quarantine animals and offsite collections, ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing and biosecurity. Responsibilities include diet preparation and feeding, habitat and life support maintenance/operation, disease recognition and treatment, and accurate species identification and knowledge. The Biologist 2 is expected to work independently with minimal supervision and serve as a mentor to their fellow team members. This is a full-time position and is expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.

Essential Position Functions

• Performs general daily husbandry functions including the maintenance of live exhibits, holding systems and quarantine facilities at a high level of quality and does so with minimal supervision
• Develops and demonstrates acumen in core aquarium husbandry skills, including:

• Marine organism handling, transport, acclimation and care
• Animal quarantine, clinical treatments and marine animal health
• Aquarium Life Support Systems (LSS) operation and maintenance
• Live exhibit maintenance

• Ensures accurate animal record keeping through consistent utilization of electronic record keeping system (Tracks)
• Assures behavior consistently meets the TFA values of Respect, Trust and Excellence
• Serves as a resource and mentor for Biologists, Interns, and Volunteers in the development of job skills relating to general husbandry functions, exhibit and life support systems design, construction and maintenance, aquatic and terrestrial organism, disease recognition and treatment, collecting techniques and species identification
• Prioritizes human and animal safety foremost when handling large terrestrial and/or aquatic animals
• Applies knowledge and identifies issues with terrestrial and/or aquatic habitat and life support 

systems

• Maintain AZA inspection readiness for exhibit, service, holding, and backup areas
• Interacts with aquarium guests, donors and team members in a positive and professional manner
• Initiates and executes area improvements and modifications independently 
• Initiates and executes behavior shaping plans for aquatic and terrestrial animals with proficiency 
• Identifies and solves obstacles with projects and tasks in a team setting
• Conducts complex work processes without supervision

Secondary Functions

• Maintains tools and equipment necessary for the care of the collection
• Assists in maintaining husbandry SOPs
• Works with volunteers and interns within scope of position
• Participates in meetings with curators, biologists and other aquarium departments
• Represents the aquarium at selected professional development opportunities
• Initiates and executes presentations and reports independently
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a facility working with aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including but not limited to birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fishes, and plants
• Four-year degree in biology or related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered
• Knowledge of habitat requirements, including life support systems and water quality parameters for aquatic and terrestrial species
• Knowledge of animal record keeping systems (Tracks) preferred
• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• SCUBA certification required
• Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License
• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays

Competencies

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates, and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities. 
• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork — Support, facilitate, and participate in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrate sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and support team goals.
• Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency — Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies 
• Communication (oral and written) — Effectively express ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listen to individuals and groups; prepare and focus presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; express ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
• Judgment — Decide on and commit to an action on the examination of the facts at hand; find creative solutions to situations and opportunities that arise; take strategic risks when necessary.

Typical Physical Requirements

• Standing (up to 4 hours per day)
• Walking (up to 4 hours per day)
• Bending/Stooping/Squatting/Kneeling/Balancing — Frequently
• Crouching/Crawling — Occasionally
• Sitting (up to 2 hours per day)
• Climbing heights (12’) — Frequently
• Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
• Carrying (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Lifting (up to 70 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Using hands for repetitive movements — fine manipulating
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
• Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained
• Operating machinery
• Ability to travel as needed — locally and/or nationally
• Ability to operate in the field
• Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate