Director of Animal Husbandry

Description:

Position: Director of Animal Husbandry (Full-Time)

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, located in Draper, Utah (just 20 minutes south of Salt Lake City Utah, and 18 minutes from 4 major ski resorts Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird) is currently seeking a Director of Husbandry.

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium offers exciting career opportunities. Our current facility is almost 3 years old. In the next few years we are building an Education Center which will be instrumental in our continued participation in Species Survival Programs. We are looking for people who love animals, love opportunity, and want to grow in their career. We currently have over 3,000 animals representing over 450 species, from Clouded Leopards to Wobbegong Sharks.

Position Summary The Director of Husbandry is responsible for managing our diverse collection of animals; including animal acquisitions, over-all husbandry, animal exhibits, life support systems, and associated programs. The Director is also responsible for supervising life support systems and general husbandry staff, and managing policies and procedures within the husbandry department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Professional Animal Care • Manage and schedule the daily activities within the Husbandry Department. • Plan and direct acquisition, display, care and breeding of the animal collection. • Identify animal health problems and coordinate care and treatment with veterinarian. • Oversee all animal necropsies. • Be knowledgeable in the life histories of animals in the collection.

Communications • Attend development and planning meetings including director meetings, staff meetings, new exhibit planning meetings, and problem-solving meetings. • Write reports and memos and serve as liaison to other departments on husbandry matters. • Perform public relations functions associated with the department; e.g., TV, radio, and social media events • At the direction of the CEO/Founder, serve as Aquarium representative to professional agencies, institutions and various committees including: aquarium operations, exhibits, research, and staff safety. • Publish and/or present technical and general papers as requested. • Attend professional meetings and conferences as requested. • Communicate regularly with professional colleagues at other institutions. • Keep the Chief Operating Officer and CEO informed of department operations and problems. • Promote good relations with visitors, volunteers, community and staff. • Work with other department directors to maintain exhibits and collection in a manner stimulating to our guests.

Supervision of Personnel • Encourage an atmosphere of professionalism among the staff. • Work to ensure staff "ownership" of exhibits. • Assist HR in the Hiring and training of new husbandry employees. • Oversee staff schedules and department projects and monitor work. • Prepare and conduct employee performance evaluations for departmental staff.

Facility Maintenance: Behind the scenes – Life support • Continually improve animal exhibits. • Coordinate the maintenance and operations of life support systems. • Work with husbandry team to determine performance parameters of life support systems. • Work with managers to develop policies and procedures for all aspects of water quality and management of exhibits water systems.

Department Management: • Work closely with veterinarian to ensure the best possible health and well-being of the animal collection. • Monitor records on water quality, and be proactive in amending problems. • Monitor animal related records input and maintenance. • Work with Husbandry team to determine needs and make acquisition of all fishes and invertebrates for the collection. • Conduct and supervise research projects. • Work with Husbandry team, COO, and Exhibit Design team to plan and implement new exhibits. • Coordinate purchases of food, supplies, and equipment and maintain inventories. • Plan and implement long and short term goals for each exhibit and each staff member. • Maintain knowledge of industry innovations and new techniques. • Acquire and dispose of collection specimens in accordance with the Acquisition/Disposition Policy. • Coordinate International, Federal, State and Local permitting processes for specimen acquisition/disposition and oversee all related permit requirements. • Work to implement capital projects within the sections. • Serve on the Dive Safety Board (if applicable). • Work to develop and review plans for graphics, technical works and publications. • Work to develop and administer Life Sciences and Exhibit Operations Department budgets. • Recruit and oversee training of Life Support Systems staff. • Provide advice and recommendations on technical and design aspects of long range development that incorporates animal life. • Oversee all aspects of safety within the department. • Work to review, develop and enforce department policies and procedures

Qualifications:

Position Requirements • Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or related field with relevant course work (related work experience may be substituted) • Minimum of 10 years’ experience with fish, birds, reptiles, and sharks • Minimum of 5 years’ supervisory experience, director level preferred • Complete knowledge of all phases of animal husbandry programs, systems design, physical life support operations, and exhibit design and display techniques • Thorough knowledge of the principles of biology • Proven knowledge in identification and treatment of fish diseases, necropsy, and diagnosis • Must have strong working knowledge in and experience with Life Support Systems. • Advanced level of S.C.U.B.A. diving training and must be able and or willing to dive as needed • Current member of professional organizations (AZA preferred) • Proficient in a variety of computer software applications • Must represent Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in a professional manner with all guests

Physical/Mental Requirements: • Report to work location by scheduled time. • Maintain clean, professional appearance. • Be organized and self-motivated. • Occasionally heavy lifting of 50 pounds or more. • Constantly required to swim, sit, walk, talk, hear, taste, and smell. • Constantly must use arms/hands/fingers to reach/handle/feel in work environment. • Constantly walking in a wet environment on uneven surfaces. • Constantly using stairs and climbing ladders. • Constant visual acuity required, including close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception and ability to focus. • Frequently required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, and to perform repetitive behaviors. • Must be comfortable and able to SCUBA dive and swim with animals. • Must be able to pass SCUBA diving evaluations. • Must be observant. • Must work with other employees in a polite, patient manner. • Must be willing to participate in public interaction and education. • Must be self-motivated, organized and able to follow projects through to completion. • Must be capable of dealing with and handling emergencies in a calm, professional manner.

Working Conditions

Must be available to work hours or take calls to support your team outside of scheduled business hours for emergency and non-emergency situations. On call 24 hours a day. Work and swim in fresh and/or saltwater, all man-made. Walking and working within a wet environment. Outdoor work on occasion, under variety of conditions: cold weather, hot weather, rain, mud, ocean environments, and dry land. Subject to the possibility of bites, scratches and stings.

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. LLPA does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other protected class under federal, state or local laws.

Application Instructions:

Click the link below to apply online.