Manager, Freshwater & Temperate Marine Habitats

TITLE: Manager, Freshwater & Temperate Marine Habitats
DEPARTMENT: Aquarium Team
REPORTS TO: Director, Animal Care & Sustainability
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
SALARY: $70,000 - $80,000
LOCATION: Onsite - Chicago, IL.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Manager of Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats works closely with the Director of Animal Care and Sustainability as a member of the Aquarium Leadership Team. The Manager ensures optimal care of the animals in the Aquarium and ensures compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations. The Manager oversees the husbandry of a diverse freshwater and temperate marine animal collection, including Amazonian species such as Arapaima, local freshwater exhibits such as Sturgeon Touch, and temperate marine ecosystems such as Kelp Forest. The Manager also manages a limited range of amphibian and avian taxa.

This position works closely with Animal Health, Environmental Quality, and Facilities to ensure the smooth and effective operations involving animals and habitats, especially as they relate to planning, animal husbandry, and welfare. They will also work with Shedd's Conservation and Research Team to advance in-situ and ex-situ research goals. This position works cooperatively with the dive program team and provides full support of the aquarium's SCUBA diving program as directed by the Dive Program Manager. This Manager also works with other departments, including Guest Relations, Learning, Events, Marketing, Development, etc., to provide access to animals and systems for public engagement

The Manager serves as a leader in the Animal Care and Science Division. They embody inter-departmental productivity and participation in strategies to meet institutional objectives and initiatives requiring support of the Animal Care Department and serve as an aquarium spokesperson as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
• Utilize independent judgment and discretion in the exercise of managerial responsibility and authority with respect to the Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats team in the Animal Care and Science Division, including assigning and directing work, evaluating job performance, resolving job concerns and problems, implementing or effectively recommending decisions concerning hiring, transfer, reassignment, promotion, merit or other compensation increases or rewards, layoff, recall, discipline and/or discharge.
• Lead the selection, training, development, management, and growth of the Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats.
• Publicly represent Shedd and its programs - Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats. This includes assisting in the development and execution of presentations, serving as an aquarium spokesperson for high-profile issues in the media and elsewhere in conjunction with Shedd's communication experts.
• Implement training protocols for proactive medical care for all animals under the care of the Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats team.
• Collaborate with national and international breeding and conservation programs when appropriate.
• Implement up-to-date husbandry practices and apply the use of positive operant conditioning principles in the day-to-day care and training of all animals.
• Support the goals and objectives of professional organizations (AZA, IMATA, IAAM, ALLSO, etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.
• Maintain a familiarity and basic working knowledge of life support systems, water quality parameters, and veterinary protocols.
• Assist in the development of training protocols to elicit, encourage, and facilitate natural behaviors for all animals in Shedd's care.
• Maintain compliance of animal welfare assessments reflecting proactive and reactive responses to medical conditions and concerns for animals under the care of the Tropical Marine Fishes Team.
• Implement strategies for the Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats team to maintain and grow behaviors aligned with Shedd's mission and vision.
• Implement a staff training program to build better welfare and sustainability through excellent husbandry, operant conditioning, public speaking, advanced operant conditioning application, and communication.
• Demonstrates strong swimming skills and ability for the use of SCUBA to maintain aquatic animals, constructed habitats, and open water diving.
• Demonstrates ability to adjust schedule on short notice to manage the needs of the animal populations and team. Must work one weekend day as part of the normal schedule, and as needed evenings, early morning, and holidays.
• Manage other Aquarium teams when the direct manager is unavailable, as requested.
• Partner with other managers and the director to develop budgets that support institutional priorities and implement those budgets.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all the primary animal groups cared for by the Aquarium team, especially as they relate to Freshwater and Temperate Marine Habitats.
• Implement legal compliance measures such as tracking respirator use, adherence to OSHA standards, etc.
• Work with other departments throughout the aquarium to meet strategic goals and objectives.
• Liaise with professional colleagues as a representative of the aquarium.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education: Bachelor's degree in marine biology, zoology, animal science, or related field, or demonstrated equivalent knowledge.

Experience:

• 6+ years of experience in animal care at an accredited zoo or aquarium with a focus on aquatic animals.
• 1+ year of leadership or management experience.
• Proven success in the care of aquatic animals, prioritizing freshwater and temperate marine species husbandry, handling, and behavioral training experience.
• Knowledge of collection planning processes and awareness of sustainability priorities.
• Knowledge of life support systems, water quality parameters, and veterinary protocols.
• Knowledge of record-keeping requirements and experience with animal record software.
• Awareness of regulatory requirements for maintaining a living collection, including animal transport.
• Ability to evaluate and recommend behavioral solutions for optimal welfare and sustainability of animals in Shedd's care.
• Ability to plan for the development of animals in Shedd's care for public engagement, sustainability, and research.
• Ability to develop and manage a department budget.
• Good communication skills are essential.
• Advanced proficiency of Microsoft Office programs.
• Proficiency in the use of animal management software such as TRACKs.
• Ability to learn multiple software applications for accounting, employee management, and interdepartmental business operations.

Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license or obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment.
• Must possess a valid passport or obtain one within 6 months from the start of employment.
• Must possess a minimum of open water SCUBA certification. Employment contingent upon passing a dive physical and check out swim test protocol administered by Shedd Aquarium's Dive Operations.

Physical Expectations:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Lift up to 40 pounds
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Walk
• Swim
• Hear

Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This person may be exposed to:

• Water
• Heat
• Cold
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Low noise
• Moderate Noise
• Loud Noise

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.