Aquarist

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery.

NMRMA maintains a wide variety of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. The Aquarists are responsible for the husbandry of the animals owned by or entrusted to the River Museum, ensuring the upkeep of live animal exhibits and enclosures, maintaining life support systems, and other tasks related to the animal collection. Aquarists help to maintain written records, participate in continued learning about the animals, plants, and artifacts in the collection, and engage in activities related to enrichment, training, quarantine, animal welfare, nutrition, and preventative maintenance. Aquarists are expected to be able to cover all animal areas and to support team members as needed. Aquarists will be appointed to level 1, 2, or 3 as dictated by their individual experience and skill level, with 1 being entry level and 3 being highly skilled/experienced. For this role, experience with aquatic invertebrates (jellies, corals, freshwater mussels, etc.) is desired.

Role Description

Act as primary caretaker for assigned exhibits, systems, and animals
Provide daily cleaning and care for animals and life support systems
Make daily observations of animals for health assessment
Feed animals according to established schedules and recommend changes as necessary
Keep all husbandry areas clean, organized, and hazard free
Perform minor maintenance tasks
Work safely with and around potentially hazardous chemicals and dangerous animals
Monitor and manage water quality in assigned exhibits and holding tanks
Maintain lighting as appropriate for the species.
Ensure alarms and monitoring systems are set appropriately and functional
Maintain written records in accordance with established industry and organizational practice and policy
Ensure daily and weekly check sheets are current
Update animal information in a database
Participate in the construction and care of exhibit life support systems, including routine preventative maintenance on equipment
Dive at least 12 times per year to remain an active member of the dive team

Qualifications – Level 1

A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in biology or related field is preferred
Professional exposure to aquariums and/or zoos and a background related to working with living organisms
A basic understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain living exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
Experience with, understanding of, and aptitude for maintaining a diverse range of animals
Be physically capable, with or without reasonable accommodations, of standing, walking, kneeling, bending, climbing, and heavy lifting up to 50 lbs.
Demonstrate the ability to adapt quickly, show flexibility, and possess good problem-solving skills
Demonstrate an interest in developing oneself and the animal care industry
Be capable of dealing with emergency situations calmly and effectively
Must be comfortable in and around water and working indoors and outdoors in any weather conditions
Must possess or be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR
Must possess a valid driver’s license within 3 months of hire
Must possess or be able to obtain SCUBA certification within 6 months of hire
Must possess or be able to acquire a valid Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire.
Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check

Qualifications – Level 2

A superior understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain life exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
Ability to troubleshoot most common mechanical and biological problems without assistance
Active in professional organizations at the regional or national level
Competent with most responsibilities within the Living Collections department

Qualifications – Level 3

An exemplary understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain life exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
Ability to troubleshoot any mechanical and biological problems without assistance
Active in the leadership of professional organizations at the regional or national level
Competent with all responsibilities within the Living Collections department

Tagged as: Science/Engineering