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Job Description

Position Title: Wild Animal Keeper

Department: Animal Programs/ Ocean Wonders: Shark!

Employment Type: Full-Time

Status: Union/Non-Exempt

Reports to: Animal Department Curator/Supervisor of Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

Schedule: 40 hours per week

Location: New York Aquarium, On-site

Salary: $48,119.00

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world's premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Position Summary:

To provide excellent animal care and enhance the visitor experience. To perform any activity required for the life support systems necessary for animal wellbeing and exhibit appearance at the New York Aquarium. Work with elasmobranchs, sea turtles, marine fishes and invertebrates.

Principle Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to):

• Adhere to all Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Aquarium and Animal Department standards of conduct, policies, and procedures to ensure the standards of safety, animal wellbeing, animal training, and animal enrichment are being maintained.
• Adhere to safety practices for self, staff, the living collection and guests.
• Take responsibility for safety by bringing potentially dangerous situations to the attention of Management.
• Maintain safe and sanitary areas of food preparation/storage and animal habitats.
• Ensure animals receive the appropriate nutrition, the appropriate food bases, and report changes through clear communication with Animal Supervisor.
• Perform all primary, as well as, supportive roles in public demonstrations and exhibit feeds.
• Promptly report any indication of illness or significantly unusual behavior being displayed.
• Carry out the instructions for the care of sick and neonate animals, including administering treatments, vitamins and medication.
• Observe the animals and their habitats for any indication of problems with environmental parameters or life support.
• Inspect exhibits to ascertain whether corrective steps need to be taken to ensure appropriate environmental conditions, including but not limited to, inspecting filtration, water quality, lighting, temperature, and cleanliness.
• Supervise and participate in the transfer of animals from one enclosure, habitat, zoo, aquarium, etc., to another.
• Participate, and/or lead in the installation of exhibit materials
• Must function in a team environment, demonstrating consideration, tolerance, cooperation, reliability, the ability to accept feedback, and a consistent professional approach to job.
• Excellent communication skills a must.
• Work in all areas of the Animal Department and ensure that all animal enclosures are appropriately secured at all times, regardless of the staff member responsible for the area.
• Use operant conditioning via positive reinforcement to condition new behaviors and maintain each animal's current behavior criteria as assigned by Animal Department Management.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of established behavior goals.
• Maintain animal husbandry, training, and enrichment records of all animals and facilitate the same for all team members.
• Maintain a proactive approach to behavioral husbandry and anticipate behavioral issues.
• Consistently strengthen animal conditioning skills and techniques, through observation, listening, participation, reading appropriate materials, and providing feedback to colleagues.
• Work with the Aquarium's education department to facilitate educational programs.
• Clean pools, tanks, exhibits, and all appropriate habitats through SCUBA diving.
• Provide relief and coverage for a Senior Wild Animal Keeper in his/her absence.
• Participate in the training of new staff, interns and volunteers.