Senior Aquarist - Full Time

Job Description

What you'll bring to the team

Scope of Job:

The Senior Aquarist role works closely with the Curator Team. The Senior Aquarist has the ability to supervise, train others, and perform job duties without guidance. This role will assist in the delivery of industry-leading, engaging, and impactful displays, animal welfare standards and programs. It is achieved through effective working relationships with the Curator, displays team, and all other departments at SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort and Deep Sea Adventure.

Key Objective:

• Ensure Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Merlin Entertainments Conservation, Welfare, and Education (CWE) standards of animal husbandry, exhibit presentation, technical operation and safety in all operational areas of the SEA LIFE Aquarium and Deep Sea Adventure.
• Ensure all public display areas deliver a world class guest experience in line with LEGOLAND California Resort’s standard.
• To manage displays staff operations and husbandry under the direction of the Curator.

Qualifications & Experience

Key Responsibilities:

• Support team members (Aquarist I & II) in their daily tasks as required.
• Manage site stock and mortality reporting.
• Oversee nutrition for our animal collection.
• Detailed record keeping of animal health treatments, exhibit maintenance and feed logs.
• Oversee and support water quality analysis of all exhibits.
• Dive exhibits for in-tank maintenance, cleaning and feeding dives.
• Daily animal feeding, observation and record keeping.
• Effectively operate, monitor, and maintain the life support systems (LSS) on site to maintain the highest animal welfare standards and deliver on SEA LIFE Experience Mandatories. Ensuring deficiencies in LSS systems are effectively reported to be resolved.
• Assists the Curator within the scope of Merlin Entertainment’s Conservation, Welfare, Education’s Policy and Procedures to implement and improve Curatorial practices.
• Assists the Curator in line with attraction Senior Leadership Team to develop annual plans and priorities.
• Capable of filling in when the Curator is not on site.
• Working with the curator to develop recommendations in line with technical and animal expertise, assisting with business decisions around animal/display-related actions.
• Has day to day accountability for all their animal/display decisions across the attraction.
• Capable of training and mentoring junior displays team members on animal husbandry, water quality, life support systems and other aspects of the job role.
• Strictly observes all appropriate financial authority mandates.
• Follow the SEA LIFE Animal Ethical Sourcing protocols and assist in managing site collections to maximize animal welfare.
• Support SEA LIFE’s conservation efforts and initiatives through education and involvement.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday hours are required.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• 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.
• Over 5 years of experience in a public aquarium or zoo in an Aquarist type role.
• Extensive hands-on experience working with a diverse animal collection, including elasmobranchs, fish, reptiles, and invertebrates.
• Ability to get rescue diver certification, preferred up to date AED, CPR, First-Aid and O².
• Advanced knowledge of Life Support Systems (LSS).
• Able to identify common fish pathogens and administer medications under the direction of veterinarian.
• Great organization skills, detail oriented and self-starter.
• Understanding of AZA standards and policies.
• Ability to work with people from all levels of a discipline.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Adapts well to change and is willing to be flexible with work tasks.
• Other tasks not listed under the direction of Displays Curator.

Health & Safety

• Responsibility to ensure compliance of Health & Safety within the workplace.
• Ensure that risk assessments have been completed and are reviewed regularly.

• Understand risk assessments within own workplace and ensure reporting of any new risks to the Curator.
• Responsible for ensuring that team members follow safe working practices.
• Ensure own compliance of safe working procedures within the job role.
• In cases of incidents or accidents ensure appropriate reporting is completed in a timely manner.

Physical Requirements

A. Sitting:

• Frequently (34–66%)

B. Standing:

• Frequently (34–66%)

C. Walking:

• Constantly (67–100%): 1

D. Lifts and Carries (Frequency):

• Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally
• 11–24 pounds: Occasionally
• 25–34 pounds: Occasionally
• 35–50 pounds: Occasionally
• 51–74 pounds: Occasionally

E. Lifts Overhead (Frequency):

• Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally
• 11–24 pounds: Occasionally

F. Twisting:

• Frequently (34–66%)

G. Bending:

• Frequently (34–66%)

H. Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling/Climbing:

• Frequently (34–66%)

I. Pulling:

• Frequently (34–66%)

J. Wrist Deviation (Side to Side):

• Frequently (34–66%)

K. Hand/Wrist Repetitions (Up and Down):

• Frequently (34–66%)

L. Reaching:

• Frequently (34–66%)

M. Grasping:

• Firm (> 50 pounds)

N. Manual Dexterity/Strength:

• Gross motor, light–moderate strength
• Fine motor, light–moderate strength

O. Pushing:

• Frequently (34–66%)

Visual & Hearing Requirementa

P. Visual Requirements:

• Color discrimination
  • Minimal color discrimination
• Other: Depth perception, distance vision, ability to focus

Q. Hearing Requirements:

• Special requirements
  • Must be able to consistently fulfill communication needs (alarms, phone ringing, conversations, clear acuity within 100 feet)

Working Conditions

R. Temperature:

• 16–95°F

S. Crawl Space / Cramped Position:

• Exposed < 1 hour per day

T. Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., respiratory mask):

• Occasionally (1–33%)

U. Driving:

• Occasional (1–33%)

V. Noise (Loud/Repetitive, < 85 decibels per OSHA standard):

• Frequent (34–66%)

Other

W. Additional Requirements or Restrictions:

• SCUBA diving for extended periods of time

Benefits

Why You'll Love It Here!

• 🏥 Health care options (medical, dental, and vision plans)

• 🌴 Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 🎢 Merlin Magic Pass for friends and family to enjoy the parks and attractions

• 🏆 Recognition programs and rewards

• 💰 401(k) program with company match

• 🎓 Tuition reimbursement programs

Pay Range

Compensation between USD $70,304.00/Yr.-USD $70,304.00/Yr.