Temp Animal Care Specialist (Tues-Sat)

TITLE: Temporary Animal Care Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Aquarium Team
REPORTS TO: Manager of Quarantine
STATUS: Full-time, Temp, Non-Exempt
DURATION: 5 Months(September 28th - February 28th, 2027)
PAY RATE:$20.00/hour

POSITION OVERVIEW:Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment tooptimalanimal care and welfare tofacilitateimpactful public engagement with wildlife.Our animalsfirst approach has a foundationthatindividuals and groups of animals canexhibitnatural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.

TheAnimal Care Specialist,CACSreports to theManagerofQuarantineandperformsthe daily husbandryofShedd Aquariumsanimalcollectionmaintainedat Shedd’s offsite location, with a specific focus on quarantine,acquisitions, and off-exhibit animals.This rolealsoparticipatesin thecare of otheranimalsunder thedepartment’s responsiblerole as needed. TheAnimal Care Specialist,CACSwill assumecoverageresponsibility forhabitats and animals assigned to them, which may includetropical and temperate fish and invertebrates, both marine and freshwater. As well as reptiles,amphibiansand birds.

This position works closely with theirManagerandthe rest of theirteam – along with Animal Health, Environmental Quality, and Facilities – to ensure the smooth and effective operationsinvolving animalsandhabitats, especially as they relate tohusbandry andwelfare.This position works cooperatively with the animal care management teams to ensure compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations.

Animal Care Specialistsareentry-level andjustbeginning tolearn animal operations in the Animal Care and ScienceDivision. TheywillassistAquarists,Senior Aquarists, and Managers withinter-departmental productivityandbeginparticipationinstrategies to meet institutionalobjectivesand initiatives requiring supportoftheAnimal Care Department.

TIME COMMITMENT/SCHEDULE: Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstratescommitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
• Achievesgoals andobjectivesassignedfor short- and long-term operations.
• Learnstomaintaingoodanimal records in accordancewith Aquarium Team standards and as directed by Manager,including the use ofTRACKsanimal record keeping software.
• Prepares diets and feedsanimalsto meet theirnutritionalrequirementsas assigned.
• Appliesandrecordsenrichment for animalsto meet theirpsychological requirements as assigned.
• Maintains front of house habitats at an inspection level of readiness.
• Maintainsback of house areas andhabitatsat aninspection level of readiness.
• Worksproactivelywith Animal Healthto provideoptimalanimal care, assessment, and treatment as needed.
• Assistsin animal treatments and procedures asrequired.
• Assistswith animaltransportsbetween onsite and offsite buildings and helpsmaintainall transport equipment.
• Ability to work at Shedd Aquarium’s main onsite building if needed and travel between facilitiesif necessary
• Identifiesmajor maintenance/repair problems in any section and reportsthroughtheir manager.
• Providestimelycommunication tomanagerand coveredstaff members. 
• Maintains awareness and communicationexpectationsby checking emaildaily along with anyadditionalplatforms used by the Animal Care departments.  
• Maintains dailyanimalobservations,records,andreportsany abnormal behavior or appearance.
• Workseffectively withAquariumLeadership Team to achieve strategicgoals andobjectivesof theAnimal Care and Science Division.
• Learnsall the primary animal groups cared for by the Aquarium team.
• Learnsproper animal training,enrichment, and nutritionforanimals.
• Provides support forcoworkers in their responsible roles as needed.
• Maintainslegal compliance measures such as tracking of respirator use(if applicable), adherence to OSHA standards, etc.
• Participatesin1-on-1, teammeetings,department meetings, division meetings, and OneShedd meetings.
• Participates in Shedd’s DEAI objectives. 
• Workswith otherdivisions asassignedto meetstrategicobjectives.
• Assistsin the continuousdevelopmentand implementation ofanimal care and sustainability innovations.
• Responsible for the overall husbandry ofCACSsystems, including lighting, flow, water quality, andanimalcondition. 
• Ensuresanimalsthroughout thefacilityare kept to Shedd Aquarium’s standards of wellbeing andmaintaingood body condition 
• Assistsin the setup of newCACShabitats. 
• Collaborateswiththe Aquarium SustainabilityTeam and helpswiththeculturingofnecessarylivefoods. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Education:Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences, biology, zoology, or related field (ordemonstratedcomparable knowledge)

Experience:

• 1+years of experiencecaring foraquatic and terrestrial animals
• Knowledgeof water chemistry and qualityas they pertainto living marine systemspreferred.
• Knowledgeof proper animalcare,training,and enrichmentpreferred.
• Knowledge of collection planning processespreferred.
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook,Word,Excel, SharePoint, andPowerPoint.
• Ability tolearnother business operationsoftwareasassigned,includingthe animal management softwareTRACKs.

Certifications:

• Mustpossessa valid driver's licenseor canobtain one within 6 months from the startof employment.

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 thisjobincluding whilewearing dive gear.

• Lift up to40 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.

• Accrued Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program
• Employee discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.

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.