Association Of Zoos & Aquariums
Aquarist I, II, III
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87101
ABQ BioPark
Aquarist I, II, III
The ABQ BioPark has been continuously accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for more than 30 years, demonstrating the BioPark’s ongoing leadership in animal welfare and veterinary care, conservation, education, guest experience and safety. At the core of the BioPark’s AZA accreditation is the professional staff dedicated to the care of our living collections. This position, once hired, will automatically be enrolled in the BioPark’s Animal Care Excellence (ACE) program, a new certification program that allows animal care staff to advance in their careers through ongoing training and development opportunities while also improving the lives of the animals entrusted to our care. Employees follow a curriculum of online and in-person trainings about a range of topics including animal wellness, nutrition, animal training and enrichment. The program allows for four distinct animal care staff levels, with each level receiving increased responsibilities and higher pay. This position will be hired at a Level I, II or III depending on experience and education. For more information about the ACE Program: New Certification Program at the ABQ BioPark Will Offer Career Advancement, Ensure Continued Excellence in Animal Care — City of Albuquerque (cabq.gov).
Preferred Knowledge
Basic operations of an aquarium or hatchery program
Principles and practices of SCUBA diving
Operations, services and activities of a biological park program
Safe work practices for working in and around marine or aquatic animals
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
Preferred Skills & Abilities
Maintain and care for a variety of marine and aquatic species
Excellent observational skills
Diet preparation and feeding techniques
Maintain accurate records
Clean and maintain aquarium exhibits and holding tanks according to established BioPark guidelines
Safe fish capture and handling methods
Work independently in the absence of supervision
Communicate clearly and concisely
Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Experience Required Minimum Education, Experience And Additional RequirementsEducation directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.AQUARIST I, B23 ($17.51-$18.51/hr.)High school diploma or GED; and Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.AQUARIST II, B26 ($18.87-$19.87/hr.)High school diploma or GED; and Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologybiologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.Must have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.AQUARIST III, B29 ($20.65-$21.65/hr.)Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in marine biology, or aquaculture; and Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologybiologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of an appropriate valid SCUBA diving certificate within (6) months from date of hire into position.Must have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.
Further Comments The Albuquerque (ABQ) BioPark, the most visited attraction in New Mexico (1.2M annual visitors) is a dynamic cultural facility including an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium, a botanic garden and public park with fishing ponds. The BioPark is a beloved community jewel. The voters of the Albuquerque community voted in favor of a fifteen-year 1/8 cent gross receipts tax (GRT) in 2015 to support the implementation of the BioPark’s master plan. This support has allowed the BioPark Zoo to make important additions to the zoo including a new elephant barn, Birds of Prey exhibit, nearly $10M in maintenance infrastructure improvements and the opening of new Asia and Australia exhibits in 2023. In addition to broad community support for capital improvements, the BioPark is currently in the midst of strategic planning process that has identified a new mission, core values and strategic program pillars to guide our work over the next five years. We are excited to have this process evolve alongside a master plan review and update process that aligns capital improvements with program development that is focused on community engagement and conservation impacts. The City is committed to providing employees one of the most comprehensive and reasonably priced benefit packages available in New Mexico. We hope that you will find the coverage offered provides you with the choices and options necessary to keep you and your family healthy and well. The City offers regular, full-time and part-time employees the option of participating in a variety of group insurance plans. Both Regular and Temporary (non-seasonal) employees participate in the state's retirement system. Additional Benefit information is available by clicking on the link below. General Benefits: http://www.cabq.gov/humanresources/employee-benefits/new-employee-information
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Preferred Knowledge
Basic operations of an aquarium or hatchery program
Principles and practices of SCUBA diving
Operations, services and activities of a biological park program
Safe work practices for working in and around marine or aquatic animals
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
Preferred Skills & Abilities
Maintain and care for a variety of marine and aquatic species
Excellent observational skills
Diet preparation and feeding techniques
Maintain accurate records
Clean and maintain aquarium exhibits and holding tanks according to established BioPark guidelines
Safe fish capture and handling methods
Work independently in the absence of supervision
Communicate clearly and concisely
Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Experience Required Minimum Education, Experience And Additional RequirementsEducation directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.AQUARIST I, B23 ($17.51-$18.51/hr.)High school diploma or GED; and Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.AQUARIST II, B26 ($18.87-$19.87/hr.)High school diploma or GED; and Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologybiologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a valid SCUBA diving certification within six (6) months from date of hire.Must have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.AQUARIST III, B29 ($20.65-$21.65/hr.)Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in marine biology, or aquaculture; and Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:marine biologybiologyaquatic animal husbandryaquacultureExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.Possession of an appropriate valid SCUBA diving certificate within (6) months from date of hire into position.Must have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level work in marine biology, aquatic animal husbandry, biology or aquaculture.
Further Comments The Albuquerque (ABQ) BioPark, the most visited attraction in New Mexico (1.2M annual visitors) is a dynamic cultural facility including an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium, a botanic garden and public park with fishing ponds. The BioPark is a beloved community jewel. The voters of the Albuquerque community voted in favor of a fifteen-year 1/8 cent gross receipts tax (GRT) in 2015 to support the implementation of the BioPark’s master plan. This support has allowed the BioPark Zoo to make important additions to the zoo including a new elephant barn, Birds of Prey exhibit, nearly $10M in maintenance infrastructure improvements and the opening of new Asia and Australia exhibits in 2023. In addition to broad community support for capital improvements, the BioPark is currently in the midst of strategic planning process that has identified a new mission, core values and strategic program pillars to guide our work over the next five years. We are excited to have this process evolve alongside a master plan review and update process that aligns capital improvements with program development that is focused on community engagement and conservation impacts. The City is committed to providing employees one of the most comprehensive and reasonably priced benefit packages available in New Mexico. We hope that you will find the coverage offered provides you with the choices and options necessary to keep you and your family healthy and well. The City offers regular, full-time and part-time employees the option of participating in a variety of group insurance plans. Both Regular and Temporary (non-seasonal) employees participate in the state's retirement system. Additional Benefit information is available by clicking on the link below. General Benefits: http://www.cabq.gov/humanresources/employee-benefits/new-employee-information
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