Hourly Rate: $20.00

SUMMARY 

Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment to optimal animal care and welfare to facilitate impactful public engagement with wildlife. Our animals-first approach has a foundation that individuals and groups of animals can exhibit natural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.  

The Temporary Animal Care Specialist: Wild Reef (ACS), reports to the Manager: Wild Reef, and performs the daily husbandry of Shedd Aquariums Wild Reef tropical marine animal collection. 

The ACS is responsible for assisting the primary Aquarist with many husbandry tasks and providing coverage for several habitats. Other responsibilities include the set-up, maintenance, operation, care, and well-being of aquarium animals and exhibits, holding reserves and life support systems, food and water chemistry analysis, and identifying diseases. ACS maintains standards and expectations for the care of assigned animals, life support systems, and exhibits. This position will assist in caring for a wide variety of tropical marine taxa; elasmobranch, cnidarian, crustacean, and teleost’s. 

This position works cooperatively with the animal care management teams to ensure compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations and provides full support of the aquarium’s SCUBA diving program as directed by the Dive Program Manager.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Demonstrates commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values. 
• Assists staff to achieve goals and objectives for short- and long-term operations. 
• Provide assistant care for Shedd Aquarium’s Wild Reef collection. 
• Produces and maintains good animal records by Aquarium Team standards and as directed by the Manager (Uses TRACKS animal record keeping software). 
• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of animal diets and nutritional needs. 
• Assists provides, and records enrichment for animals on an ongoing and as-needed basis. 
• Keeps back of house area/exhibits clean and well maintained. 
• Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required. 
• Performs minor maintenance/repair on gear, tanks, or supplies needed for the section. 
• Provides timely communication to manager and primary staff members. 
• Checks emails daily along with any additional forms of communication as dictated by the direct Manager. 
• Observe animals daily and identify and report any abnormal behavior or appearance. 
• Ensures proper animal training and enrichment for collection animals. 
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of modern husbandry techniques and a thorough understanding of the use of emerging science to advance animal care and welfare. 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of practices and procedures and recommend improvements. 
• Provides support for coworkers in their responsible roles as needed. 
• Implements legal compliance measures such as tracking respirator use, adherence to OSHA standards, etc. 
• Works effectively with other departments, contributing to the well-being and exhibition of the living collection. 
• Participates in 1-on-1, team, and department meetings.  
• Participates in Shedd’s DEAI objectives.  
• Works with other departments throughout the aquarium to meet organizational goals and objectives. 
• Liaise with professional colleagues as a representative of the aquarium. 
• Helps to continually develop and implement animal care and sustainability innovation at Shedd. 
• Other projects and duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Education & Experience  

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or related field (or demonstrated comparable knowledge). 
• Proven success in the care of aquatic animals, preferring Cnidarian and other marine invertebrates and fish handling and husbandry experience 
• 2+ years of hands-on aquatic animal handling experience  
• 2+ years of experience in aquaria care and husbandry 
• Prefer 1+ years of experience with tropical marine taxa 
• Poses a basic understanding of water chemistry and quality as they pertain to living marine systems 
• Experience and understanding of proper animal care, training, and enrichment  
• Strong interpersonal skills, communicating clearly and on point 
• Ability to work under pressure and execute projects as assigned 
• Good organizational and electronic record-keeping skills 
  • Proficient computer skills 
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with co-workers across departments 
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively independently and in a team setting 
• Excellent communication skills are essential, with public relations experience a plus 
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and changing work environment 

Certifications 

• Must possess a valid driver's license or can obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment. 
• Must possess a valid passport or can obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment. 

Other Requirements

• Must possess strong swimming skills 
• Must be able to walk, bend, kneel, and climb stairs and ladders while in dive gear 
• Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required 
• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds 
• Must have good organizational and time management skills 

Language skills

• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English fluently. 
• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions given from written and oral sources. 
• Ability to write professional business correspondence. 
• Ability to effectively present information to and collaborate with all levels of employees. 

Computer skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. 
• Ability to use animal management software including TRACKs. 

Physical readiness

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Lift to 40 pounds  
• Sit 
• Stand 
• Stoop 
• Walk 

Work environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 
This person may be exposed to: 

• Water 
• Heat 
• Cold 
• Hazardous Chemicals 
• Low noise 
• Moderate Noise 
• Loud Noise 

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).