Summary: This position works a variety of shifts including morning, afternoon, and evenings, including a half-day supporting husbandry tasks and half day working on the visitor floor with the Interpretation Department. This position engages with guests on the exhibit floor, maintains the different interpretation stations around the center (e.g., touch tank, aviary, and underwater viewing), leads tours and encounter presentations, and is responsible for connecting visitors to the mission of the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC). This position also supports daily husbandry tasks including food preparation, cleaning, and record keeping. Each day is some combination of the tasks above.
Education/Training Requirements:
Minimum of one to two years of paid or unpaid experience in animal care and interpretation of animal programs to guests.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Enhances the visitor experience by providing information and “connection” to the ASLC’s exhibits.
- Under the guidance of husbandry curators and area managers, this position supports the management, care, exhibition, and study of the captive animal collection. This position may also be responsible for assisting in the daily husbandry care and maintenance of rehabilitation and transient (short term) animals.
- Cross trains with all husbandry areas for efficient use of staff resources as appropriate.
- Follows established routine for animal care, food preparation, and clean up, including proper maintenance and sterilization of equipment.
- Supervises visitor use of the touch tank and open-air aviary.
- Delivers presentations that focus on the marine ecosystems of Alaska, including ASLC research topics and wildlife response efforts.
- Leads Behind-the-Scenes Tours and Encounter programs.
- May deliver on-site science education programs to the public and assist with other programs as needed.
- Provides exquisite customer service to guests and may assist with welcoming tour groups or marketing tours and encounters to interested visitors.
- Helps maintain the physical appearance of manned exhibits and delivers announcements over the public address system.
- Fosters good relations with visitors, volunteers, community leaders, contractors, and fellow staff members by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and providing high standards of service.
- Complies with all Alaska SeaLife Center policies, procedures, and programs.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Successful candidate must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, and maintain friendly and courteous contact with the public under conditions that may be very stressful and busy at times.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Successful candidate must be able to move about; stoop, kneel, and crouch; use arms and hands; handle objects, tools, and controls; and sit. In addition, he/she must be able to lift and move 30 pounds.
Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 3/1/2022
START DATE: 5/1/2022 END DATE: 9/30/2022
PAY RATE: $15.50 Per Hour
