Senior Aquarist

Senior Aquarist

Sealife Trust - Beluga Building Company ehf, Ægisgata ‎2, ‎900
Vestmannaeyjar, ‎900
Iceland
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Aquarist to join our
team. The Senior Aquarist will be responsible for overseeing the maintenance
and care of the aquatic animals in our aquarium. As Senior Aquarist, the
successful candidate can expect to spend a least ‎80% of their time focused on
the aquarium, but may also have some opportunities to assist with diving,
puffins, and beluga whales as needed. The successful candidate will have a
strong background in aquatic animal husbandry and be capable of leading and
training a team of aquarists.
Key Responsibilities:
* Oversee the daily maintenance and care of aquatic animals in the aquarium
* Develop and implement comprehensive animal care and maintenance programs that meet or exceed industry standards
* Train and supervise a team of animal care specialists in the daily care of the aquarium's animals and plants
* Ensure the health and welfare of all animals in the aquarium through regular monitoring, preventative medicine, and timely medical intervention
* Design and implement enrichment programs for the animals to promote their physical and mental well-being
* Maintain accurate records of animal husbandry, water quality, and aquarium maintenance
* Monitor and maintain the proper water quality and chemistry in all aquarium systems
* Maintain and troubleshoot all aquarium equipment, including life support systems, lighting, and filtration
* Participate in research projects and collaborate with other aquarists and scientists to advance the understanding of aquatic life
* Develop comprehensive collection plans and work with the curator to implement long term plans to redesign the aquarium display tanks
* Comply with the company regulations regarding Health and Safety at work
Requirements:
* Bachelor's degree in marine biology, zoology, or a related field
* Minimum of ‎5 years of experience in aquatic animal husbandry
* Certification as a rescue scuba diver or commercial diver
* Strong leadership and team management skills
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* In-depth knowledge of aquatic animal behaviour, biology, and physiology
* Familiarity with aquarium equipment and life support systems
* Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays
* Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
* Valid driver's license and clean driving record
* Ability to lift and move heavy objects
* Ability to pass a swim test
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience working with marine birds and mammals
* Lab or veterinary technician experience
* Drysuit/cold water dive experience and certification
* CPR/First Aid certification

Merlin Entertainments provides HR services for the SEA LIFE Trust and as part
of this, all employees adhere to all Merlin Entertainments policies. Please be
aware that you may receive correspondence from Merlin Entertainments regarding
SEA LIFE Trust vacancies.
At the SEA LIFE Trust, we welcome the world to our attraction every day, and
we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We
strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be
themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together.
Together, we work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter
their age, race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Although we
understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the most
inclusive and flexible employer in our industry.