Aquarist - Changing Exhibits

The New England Aquarium is hiring an Aquarist for the Changing Exhibits team, supporting a diverse portfolio of exhibits including shorebirds, elasmobranchs, and jellies. The role focuses on daily animal husbandry, exhibit and life-support maintenance, and supporting animal acquisition and collection planning to uphold NEAQ and AZA care standards.

• Provide daily care of assigned animals, exhibits, holding systems, support spaces, and life support systems in accordance with NEAQ and AZA standards.
• Conduct daily animal observations for health assessment; identify common diseases (depending on level) and support dietary regimes and administration of medications/supplements as directed with Animal Health.
• Maintain written and electronic records in the TRACKS specimen database (e.g., accessions, dispositions, moves, behaviors, mortalities, LSS maintenance).
• Perform routine animal welfare assessments and help facilitate or lead action responses as appropriate to level and under Area Manager direction.
• Manage water quality and environmental parameters in assigned exhibits and holding tanks in coordination with Environmental Quality.
• Support population management and annual collection planning; assist with acquisition and disposition of animals (transfers, breeding, rehabilitation, collection, purchasing), with senior staff leading coordination.
• Develop, execute, and adjust behavioral strategies including enrichment and operant conditioning (depending on level).
• Manage life support systems and participate in or lead design, upgrades, and installation; mentor others on system design and troubleshooting (senior level).
• Provide alternate coverage for other aquarists and participate in cross-training as assigned.
• Engage with the public through in-person or virtual presentations as required by assignment.
• May demonstrate competency as a SCUBA diver, collector, and transport driver.
• At senior level, serve as acting Manager as needed and supervise interns/volunteers including training, scheduling, and performance management.

• Animal husbandry or related experience required.
• Experience levels:
  • Aquarist 1: minimum 6 months experience
  • Aquarist 2: minimum 2 years experience
  • Senior Aquarist: minimum 5 years experience
• Bachelor's degree with a concentration in science preferred.
• Internationally recognized SCUBA diving certification preferred; ability to obtain/maintain Medical Examiner authorization to SCUBA dive per NEAQ Diving Program preferred.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record required.
• For Aquarist 2/Senior: broad knowledge of aquarium field (animal husbandry, mechanical systems, collecting techniques, exhibit design) and strong leadership/mentoring skills.
• Strong collaboration and independent work ability; good judgment, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong interpersonal relationship skills.
• Physical requirements: comfortable working in confined spaces; able to stoop/kneel; able to push/pull/lift/carry up to 50 pounds.

• Full-time, regular, on-site position with comprehensive benefits package.
• Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday, 8:00am–5:00pm.
• Must be available for occasional holidays and nights, and respond to emergencies during off hours.