About the Role
The Assistant Supervisor, Pinnipeds supports the Supervisor, Pinnipeds in overseeing staff and all aspects of animal care, habitat maintenance, training, record keeping, public presentations, and interactive programming for the harbor and spotted seal collections. This role also assists with husbandry programs for Northern fur seals and Steller sea lions, and may support beluga whale and California sea lion husbandry programs. The ideal candidate possesses hands-on animal care expertise, supervisory experience, and a positive, team-focused approach.
Responsibilities
- Care for and maintain the animal collection and habitats to meet and exceed AWA regulations, along with AMMPA and AZA standards and guidelines.
- Assist the Supervisor with animal diet management and weekly animal weights.
- Develop and implement animal training and husbandry procedures for harbor and spotted seals, and assist with husbandry programs for Northern fur seals and Steller sea lions.
- Guide and mentor senior trainers in planning daily training and enrichment sessions to ensure all animals receive stimulation, exercise, variability, and positive reinforcement in accordance with AMMPA, AZA, IMATA, and AH guidelines.
- Maintain husbandry, training, and enrichment records according to Mystic Aquarium procedure.
- Monitor life support systems and water quality.
- Assist in the supervision of staff and support daily operational coverage to ensure area and departmental coverage.
- Supervise the area and department schedule to ensure appropriate experience level and coverage.
- Coordinate daily operations and supervise staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Assist with the preparation of, and participate in, personnel evaluations.
- Develop staff proficiency at their current level and build the skills necessary for advancement.
- Develop own leadership skills through management courses.
- Attend regularly scheduled Marine Mammals & Birds Supervisor meetings and provide supervisory coverage in the department as Supervisor of the Day, as assigned.
- Coordinate animal presentations, programs, and classes.
- Assist with the supervision and oversight of animal transports in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
- Work with other departments to facilitate programming needs.
- Monitor acquisition and inventory of supplies.
- Maintain a consistent professional attitude, motivation, and willingness to accept feedback.
- Establish high standards as a role model, demonstrating positive customer service and teamwork with other departments at Mystic Aquarium.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Work in a safe manner at all times.
- Properly use and maintain, in good order, all personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied for protection from recognized hazards.
- Report any unsafe conditions.
- Maintain a working knowledge of all facility-wide and department-specific safety procedures, including but not limited to Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown Procedure, and Fire Extinguisher Use.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline preferred.
- Seven years of paid professional experience in marine mammal husbandry and training at a public aquarium or similar institution, or an equivalent nine years of experience.
- Experience in pinniped husbandry and training strongly preferred.
- Prior supervisory experience and training, with the ability to guide, mentor, and evaluate staff performance.
- Experience developing and delivering public presentations, interactive programs, and program content.
- Strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, with the ability to represent the Aquarium professionally at all times.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- SCUBA certification with the ability to pass a dive physical.
- Requires schedule flexibility with the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Multi-lingual preferred, Spanish a plus.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move between locations frequently, including ascending and descending ladders and positioning oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Ability to operate, inspect, and position equipment, move equipment, and maintain close, distance, color, and peripheral vision along with depth perception.
- Ability to drive and use computers and telephones as part of routine job duties.
- Employment is at-will.
- May require background checks and reference verification.
Skills
- Marine mammal husbandry
- Animal training
- Pinniped husbandry and training
- Supervisory skills
- Staff guidance and mentorship
- Staff performance evaluation
- Public presentation development and delivery
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork skills
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- SCUBA certification
- Schedule flexibility
- Multi-lingual ability (Spanish preferred)
Location
- Mystic Aquarium
Work Type
- Full-Time
Experience Level
- 7 years of paid professional experience in marine mammal husbandry and training
- 9 years of equivalent experience
- Prior supervisory experience
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline preferred
Salary/Compensations
- $57,000-$59,000
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- All supplemental insurances
About the Company
- Mystic Aquarium is a public aquarium and marine mammal research institution.
Equal Opportunity
- This organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
- Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of this position.
