Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on working towards bringing families closer together and to creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance.

SUMMARY

The Assistant Aquarium Biologist plays a key role in supporting Amazon Department Biologists in maintaining the health and well-being of a diverse collection of animals and plants, including tropical mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and live plants. Primary duties include exhibit maintenance, cleaning, diet preparation, observations, and record-keeping.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Enclosure Maintenance

Monitor and maintain optimal environmental conditions for specimens
Conduct thorough AM and PM checks of assigned enclosures
Clean and maintain all components of animal enclosures
Perform basic filtration and life support system (LSS0 maintenance
Report and address enclosure or plant health concerns to supervisors
Conduct plant care tasks, including raking, pruning, and propagation
Assist in the maintenance of enclosures

Animal Husbandry and Health

Adhere to all husbandry protocols
Observe and reports animal behaviour and health concerns
Accurately prepare and present animal diets according to established protocols
Propagate and maintain live invertebrates food cultures
Maintain detailed records of daily care in both written and digital formats
Assist with animal handling, training, enrichment, and medical procedures under supervision

Record Keeping and Communication

Maintain accurate and thorough husbandry records
Submit daily animal care and husbandry reports
Complete assigned in person and online training as required

Public Engagement

Accurately answer guest questions about the facility and animal collection
Support interpretive team and participate in guest programs as requested

Health and Safety

Report health and safety concerns immediately
Follow all departmental and facility health and safety procedures
Support Environmental Management System protocols to minimize environmental impact

Workspace Management

Maintain cleanliness and organization of shared workspaces
Monitor and report low-stock inventory items

General Support

Provide Assistance to other teams as needed
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Amazon department

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Direct experience in husbandry of tropical animals and/or wildlife
Relevant post-secondary coursework (completed or in-progress) is considered an asset
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications
Willingness to receive rabies vaccination series if required

Skills and Attributes

Excellent animal handling, husbandry, and technical skills
Able to work efficiently without supervision
Excellent time management skills, with the ability to keep on task with strategic items while managing day-to-day responsibilities
Basic understanding of taxonomy and animal characteristics
Attention to detail
Effective communication and record-keeping skills
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions closely
Team-oriented, enthusiastic, and adaptable
Active demonstration of the company's values and mission

Working Conditions

Must be available to work on weekends, holidays, and occasional night shifts
Perform repetitive cleaning tasks, including scrubbing, shovelling, and raking
Frequent exposure to wet, slippery conditions, bright lights, strong odors, and loud sounds
Engage in physical activities such as climbing, crouching, kneeling, and reaching
Exposure to zoonotic diseases, cleaning chemicals and medical supplies
Work in warm, humid environments and interact with potentially dangerous specimens
Exposure to animal bites, animal pathogens, and chemicals
Job requires a high degree of alertness to changing conditions when working with animals
Requires ability to gain access to all animal holding areas some of which are difficult to enter and require ladders and walking on slippery, uneven surfaces
Requires the ability to safely lift equipment and animals weighing up to 30kg
Requires standing for periods of time

WORK CULTURE

At VanAqua, we care about the well-being of our employees and offer support at all levels within our organization. We foster an environment of learning, supported by leaders who listen, where you are encouraged to voice opinions and share new ideas. We have developed a mental health committee to continuously find ways to support our staff and we encourage a healthy work-life balance. We look to continually assess and improve our culture to reflect the positive change we want to see in the field. It is important to find an applicant that has a positive attitude that will contribute to a healthy work culture where we celebrate each other. We are looking for someone to grow with our organization. The right fit with our team is more important than the amount of experience.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Successful completion of pre-employment requirements

Wage Range: $20 - $30 / hour

Vancouver Aquarium

Latest Jobs

Assistant Aquarium Biologist - Amazon