Assistant Curator of Fish and Invertebrates

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is the largest, most-immersive fish and wildlife attraction in the world. The facility consists of a 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, and immersive Wildlife Galleries sharing the story of America’s most significant conservationists throughout history and today.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for creating and maintaining SOP's, handling documents and all other paperwork associated with their associated teams and galleries.
• Leads by example demonstrating high level of job performance including exemplary leadership interpersonal and communication skills.
• Sets priorities and expectations, empowers employees, and leads them to overcome barriers to their success.
• Provides a balance of positive and constructive performance feedback in line with accomplishing animal, area training, and project goals.
• Proactive in planning, delegating appropriately and follows through to ensure tasks completion, with husbandry team.
• Maintains AZA inspection readiness for exhibits, holding, and backup areas.
• Assists Curator of Life Sciences in staff evaluation and recruitment.
• Responsible, in conjunction with the Registrar, to verify all daily animal records are complete and accurate and reported to the Curator of Life Sciences. Coordinate regular inventories of the animal collection.
• Ensures quarantine procedures are adhered to. Identifies animal health problems and oversee care and treatment with veterinary staff.
• Works with the life support, water quality and veterinary staff in monitoring and troubleshooting water quality and life support systems, as required.
• Works with Curator of Life Sciences in initiating and overseeing viable breeding, husbandry, and conservation programs for particular species of the collection.
• Works with Curator of Life Sciences to acquire specimens legally and ethically for display, including sourcing, collection, and transportation and maintains equipment and supplies for those purposes.
• Assists Curator of Life Sciences in the development and establishment of effective exhibits and holding systems, including life support systems, aesthetic and animal husbandry components, and animal acquisitions.
• Orders and maintains ample supplies and equipment for departmental activities.
• Assists in budget control and long-range planning.
• Conduct when needed interpretive programing, including participating and leading animal presentations, and special marketing events.
• Has decision making authority in absence of Curator of Life Sciences or Director of Animal Care.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned in order to achieve the goals and mission of Wonders of Wildlife.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Requires a degree biology or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree at the discretion of WOW. Typically possesses 8 years’ experience in a professional animal facility working with aquatic animals.
• A preference of 2 - years personal management in a dynamic setting.
• Working knowledge of operant conditioning, environmental enrichment.
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements and environmental needs of a diverse animal collection.
• Must have strong teamwork, interpersonal and organizational skills conducive to a positive work environment. Must possess good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience supervising interns and/or volunteers.
• Through understanding of Water Quality as it relates to optimal animal health.
• Preferred experience shaping animal behaviors using operant conditioning.
• Requires walking/standing approximately 75% of the time, sitting 10% of the time, forward bending and crouching 15% of the time, lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Requires proficiency with Personal Computer (P.C.) hardware and contemporary software including Microsoft Office Products.
• Requires capability of performing essential job functions in holding areas, exhibit spaces and mechanical rooms where spaces are small and tight, and in office environments with climate control and good lighting.
• May require immunizations depending on animal collection; this could include TB testing and rabies.

Full Time employees receive Store/Attraction employee discounts, Medical, Vision, Dental, LTD, 401(k), Company Paid Life Insurance and STD, and Paid Time Off.

Exempt Status

For more information and to apply, click the link below:

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
500 W Sunshine St.
Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: