Assistant Aquarist

Department: Fish & Invertebrates
Reports to: Temperate Fish and Invertebrates Team Supervisor
Status: 32hrs, hourly, benefitted position.
Hours of Work: Friday through Monday, 6:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 32 hours per week.

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking an Assistant Aquarist to join our Temperate team. As a member of the Life Sciences Department, this position supports the daily care and husbandry of the Aquarium’s diverse fish and invertebrate collection. The Assistant Aquarist performs a range of assigned animal care responsibilities and works closely with the Temperate Fish and Invertebrates team to support animal health and wellbeing.

• Prepare, store and distribute food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance to animal exhibits and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment. Maintain water quality to keep aquatic animals in a healthy condition.
• Maintain records and reports regarding assigned species including daily veterinary reports, exhibit maintenance, food consumption records and other reports specific to the assigned area.
• Observe animals and evaluate behavior to determine physical and behavioral health and well-being.
• Act as role model for compliance with all Seattle Aquarium safety protocols.
• Assure the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public from injury or mishap.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Serve as a customer service liaison through daily contacts with visitors providing information and answering questions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support the Seattle Aquarium dive program in a non-diving capacity.
• All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Beginner-level experience with or interest in fish, invertebrates, and marine biology, along with a willingness to learn about water quality, aquatic life support systems, and marine animal health. Must maintain a current and clear understanding of life support and mechanical systems for open and closed aquariums. Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately. Strong interpersonal, collaboration and team-building skills.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, hear, and smell. Ability to work in confined spaces. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Have or could obtain a CPR/First Aid Certificate. Must be comfortable working in and around water. Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.

• Beginner-level experience with or interest in fish, invertebrates, and marine biology, along with a willingness to learn about water quality, aquatic life support systems, and marine animal health.
• Must maintain a current and clear understanding of life support and mechanical systems for open and closed aquariums.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and team-building skills.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or…