Senior Aquarist

Downtown Aquarium

Senior Aquarist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Downtown Aquarium - Houston is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented full-time Senior Aquarist to join our aquatic animal care team. This position supports daily operations with a focus on animal care and welfare, safety, and guest experience. This role leads and mentors Aquarists and Interns; implements department policies; coordinates animal husbandry, enrichment, and exhibit maintenance; evaluates water quality; assists with veterinary care; maintains accurate ZIMS records; and helps ensure exhibits and backofhouse areas meet operational, safety, and aesthetic standards.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Professional Animal Care

• Perform and oversee daily husbandry for the assigned collection, ensuring high standards of nutrition, sanitation, water/air quality (as applicable), and habitat condition.
• Evaluate water quality and work with Curators to maintain parameters that support animal health, welfare, and exhibit standards.
• Conduct daily animal welfare observations and document behavioral, health, and environmental indicators; promptly escalate concerns per SOPs.
• Implement and evaluate environmental and behavioral enrichment in collaboration with veterinary and supervisory staff.
• Support and participate in quarantine procedures and biosecurity practices under veterinary and policy guidance.
• Assist with veterinary rounds, procedures, diagnostics, and treatments as directed by the veterinarian and curators. This includes assisting with the safe capture and restraint of animals for veterinary care.
• Perform assigned treatments and monitor recovery/response.
• Maintain current knowledge of all specimens under their care including their natural history and husbandry requirements.
• Perform animal moves and transports as directed by Curators.

Records & Compliance

• Maintain complete and timely ZIMS records for training, enrichment, observations, health, and husbandry.
• Follow institutional policies and help ensure compliance with applicable standards and policies (e.g., AZA, ZAA, and American Humane accreditation standards, OSHA, AAUS, and relevant permits/regulations as applicable).
• Support data collection for audits, inspections, and accreditation reviews.
• Model and enforce safety protocols, PPE use, lockout/tagout (as applicable), and incident reporting.
• Identify and mitigate hazards in animal, Guest, and staff areas; promptly communicate concerns and corrective actions.
• Participate in emergency response drills and events (animal, dive, medical, life support, weather, and facility emergencies).

Leadership & Team Operations

• Lead by example with punctuality, professionalism, inclusive teamwork, and a solutionsoriented attitude.
• Supervise and support daily routines of Biologists and Interns.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance feedback in coordination with Curators.
• Serve as "lead on duty" when assigned; make decisions consistent with policies and escalate issues appropriately.
• Assist Curators with writing and posting staff schedules.
• Support intern program administration (onboarding, scheduling, evaluation) in collaboration with Curators.
• Collaborate effectively across departments (e.g., Veterinary, Life Support, Facilities, Education, etc.) to meet operational goals.

Facility & Exhibit Maintenance

• Make regular rounds to assess animal health, exhibit condition, and safety.
• Oversee the operational readiness, cleanliness, and preventive maintenance of assigned exhibit and backofhouse areas, including life support equipment.
• Perform repairs on life support equipment and PVC plumbing under 2" as directed by Curators and Life Support Manager.
• Coordinate maintenance projects as needed.
• Maintain excellent aesthetics and guestfacing presentation standards in assigned exhibits.

Other

• Represent the institution with professionalism and approachability; promote positive Guest, community, and team relationships.
• Deliver engaging, accurate guest presentations, with or without animals, tailored to diverse audiences.
• Monitor inventory and maintain stocked supplies in assigned areas; submit purchase requests as directed by Curators.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of departmental and institutional goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in marine biology, biology, zoology, animal science, or a related field, with a minimum of five years of relevant experience working in a public aquarium; AZA-accredited experience preferred.
• Experience with freshwater and marine fishes, elasmobranchs, and aquatic invertebrates (including corals); experience with reptiles and amphibians a plus.
• Experience with reptiles and amphibians is a plus.
• Extensive working knowledge of life-support systems, aquatic animal husbandry, disease prevention, treatment and control, quarantine procedures, clinical treatments, veterinary support, and aquatic animal rearing techniques; ability to recognize and identify common fish diseases and parasites.
• SCUBA certified (minimum Open Water), able to dive daily, complete an on-site dive assessment, and obtain medical clearance for SCUBA upon hire; advanced certifications preferred.
• Meticulous recordkeeping skills, strong administrative, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, multitasking, and prioritization abilities; ZIMS proficiency a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), including professional, inclusive interactions with staff, volunteers, and guests.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, including collaboration across departments; available for variable schedules, including weekends, holidays, evenings, overtime, and emergency call-ins.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and work in physically demanding conditions, including wet, muddy, or uneven terrain.
• Exposure to a variety of weather conditions and potential animal-related hazards (e.g., bites, stings).
• Must be available to work a variable schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime, including emergency situations.

Experience Required

Five years of experience in aquatic animal care, life support systems, or related field (paid or volunteer) required; paid experience at a public, accredited aquarium preferred.

Perks

Employee discounts (up to 50% depending on the location and concept) on dining, retail, amusements, and hotels. Paid vacation days, accrued paid sick leave, opportunities for advancement, and community volunteer opportunities.

Salary

Starting pay is $22.00 per hour.

How to Apply

While this role outlines preferred qualifications, we encourage experienced aquarists with comparable skills, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to animal welfare to apply even if they do not meet every requirement listed.

Interested applicants should submit a resume directly to Kat Briggs, Curator of Fishes, Herps, & Inverts, at ...

Applicants are also welcome to apply in person between 10:00am and 3:00pm.

Downtown Aquarium

410 Bagby Street

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: ...

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