(Sr.) Aquarist, Tropical Marine Invertebrates

• Orientation (First Week): Monday–Friday
• Onboarding & Training (1 Month Minimum): Thursday–Monday
• Regular Schedule (Ongoing): Sunday - Thursday.

A key focus of this position is the care and propagation of Shedd Aquarium's coral collection through water quality management, routine health assessments, culture and propagation, enrichment, and support of veterinary procedures. This role contributes to advancing Shedd's standards for animal welfare, coral conservation, and exceptional guest experiences.

Core Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd Aquarium's vision, mission, and values.
• Achieve assigned operational goals and support the daily care and wellbeing of the animal collection.
• Provide high-quality husbandry, including diet preparation, feeding, enrichment, behavioral observations, recordkeeping, and habitat maintenance.
• Maintainaccurateanimal records using TRACKS and communicate observations, concerns, and updatesin a timely manner.
• Provide primary care for Shedd Aquarium's coral collection andmaintaintropical marine invertebrate habitats, supporting collection planning and animal wellbeing.
• Maintain front-of-house habitats and back-of-house areas at inspection-ready standards.
• Collaborate with Animal Health to support preventative care, assessments, and treatments.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment and habitats,identifyingand reporting larger maintenance needs.
• Supervise, coach, and support interns and volunteers, providing feedback and accountability.
• Collaborate across the Aquarium Leadership Team and Animal Care Leadership Team to support animal training, nutrition, enrichment, and departmental goals.
• Developexpertisein assigned animal groups, husbandry techniques, and emerging animal care practices, applying continuous learning to improve animal welfare.
• Evaluate work practices and recommend improvements that enhance animal care, operational efficiency, and team effectiveness.
• Support coworkers and collaborate across divisions to achieve organizational priorities.
• Maintain compliance with applicable safety, legal, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA standards.
• Participate in required meetings, organizational initiatives, and Shedd's DEAI commitments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities at the Senior Level

• Take primary ownership of designated habitats, collections, programs, or operational responsibilities, ensuring consistent, high-quality execution.
• Serve as a role model bydemonstratingexcellence in animal care, professionalism, collaboration, and safety.
• Provideday-to-day leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to Aquarists, interns, and volunteers.
• Apply advanced knowledge of habitat systems and husbandry practices to troubleshoot issues, improve operations, and support departmental success.
• Lead assigned projects, programs, or operational initiatives while helping coordinate priorities andmaintainconsistent standards across the department.
• Promote knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and operational continuity across the Aquarium Team.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in marine biology, zoology, animal science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1+ years of experience providing aquatic animal care in an accredited zoo or aquarium.
• Experience caring for marineteleostsand marine invertebrates, including corals.
• Knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry, training, enrichment, and collection planning.
• Working knowledge of water chemistry and water quality management for marine systems.
• Demonstrated ability to safely care for and handle aquatic animals.

Additional Qualifications for Senior Consideration

• 3+ years of experience providing aquatic animal care in an accredited zoo or aquarium.
• Demonstrated experience caring for marineteleostsand marine invertebrates, with advanced experience supporting coral collections.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex animal care responsibilities, habitat operations, and departmental priorities.
• Broad knowledge of aquatic habitat systems and the ability to troubleshoot issues and improve operations across multiple program areas.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, orprovidingday-to-day guidance to team members.
• Demonstrated ownership of departmental programs, operational functions, projects, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and decision-making skills with the ability to balance team, animal care, and organizational priorities.

Certifications:

• Mustpossessa valid driver's licenseorobtain one within 6 months from the startof employment.
• Mustpossessa valid passportorobtain one within 6 months from the startof employment.
• Mustpossessaminimum ofopen water SCUBA certification. Employment contingent upon passing a dive physical and checkoutswim testprotocol administered by Shedd Aquarium's Dive Operations.

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.

• Lift up to 40 pounds
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Walk
• Swim
• Hear

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This person may be exposed to:

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

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leaveand Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets