Senior Aquarist

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

Please Apply By: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Hiring Range: $52,132.00/yr - $68,423.25/yr

At Mecklenburg County, youll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. Were counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our residents fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE. The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is seeking an experienced Sr Aquarist to join our team! The Sr Aquarist will be responsible for managing two large freshwater aquariums and invertebrate, amphibian and reptile exhibits at four separate Nature Centers within Mecklenburg County. Maintaining the life support and safety of the collections at four centers requires an independent individual who can appropriately schedule their time, be a liaison to each centers animal care staff, and make decisions for the well-being of the animals without reliance of supervision. The preferred candidate would be comfortable engaging with the public as this position will be asked to conduction presentations and interact with visitors at our Nature Centers Since animals are unpredictable, the selected candidate must be able to accommodate an on-call schedule for emergencies.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working in an aquarium or zoo setting highly preferred
Environmental education experience

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide exceptional care to all assigned animals and exhibits including daily cleaning, water quality, maintenance, diving, diet preparation and feeding, and health assessments.
Manage the collection as a whole including acquisitions, dispositions and population management
Maintain public display exhibits and back-of-house areas to the highest standards.
Work with the veterinary team to maintain high animal health standards including participating in procedures and necropsies.
Maintain current up to date knowledge on biology, ecology and husbandry of all animals within their care.
Research care and dietary needs of new or incoming plants and animals.
Ensure care of exhibit life support systems, including routine preventative maintenance on equipment.
Direct the development and implementation of husbandry procedures, techniques and practices in an Animal Care Manual.
Determine and make budgetary recommendations as to annual animal care budget for equipment, maintenance and diets
Maintain appropriate written and computerized animal care records including state permits
Mentor assigned departmental staff, volunteers or interns.
Ensure all husbandry areas are kept clean, organized and hazard free.
Respond to emergency calls.
Assist with design, fabrication and install of new animal enclosures and exhibits.
Participate in related education, Public Relations and membership programs including facility tours.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Four (4) years of experience with fish and invertebrates with strong background in reptiles and amphibian husbandry, preferably in an AZA accredited aquarium or zoo setting

Education: Bachelors degree in Biology or related science

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a North Carolina or South Carolina Drivers License and County Driving Privileges; Must possess a valid open water dive certification (PADI, SSI, NAUI)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:
Knowledge of aquarium LSS, plumbing, and water chemistry as it relates to maintaining a freshwater aquatic habitat, and water quality analysis
Must be flexible, able to follow instructions and protocols, and possess a positive attitude
Must have good observation skills and be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 65lbs, with or without reasonable accommodations
Must be able to work holidays and weekends

Skills:
Minor repair of Life Safety Systems including plumbing and filtration
Aptitude in science and art/design is preferred.
Using a computer and related software applications
Maintaining monitoring and data equipment
Conducting observations
Preparing reports
Collecting samples
Organizing, evaluating, and acting upon observations identified

Abilities:
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between ones area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisors request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.