Position Summary: Reports to the Animal Care Manager about daily care and maintenance of animals, aquariums and daily operations.  Includes daily charting, husbandry, maintenance of facility cleanliness, record keeping. Must be able to work as an integral part of the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) team and communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, volunteers, students and guests. Respond to emergencies in a timely manner.  Review data from daily aquarium activity and ensure that the health and wellbeing of the aquatic animals are addressed. Required to adhere to Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission’s Marine Turtle Program and Permit regulations, protocols, and permits.  Works collaboratively with the Animal Care Team Manager, and the Board of Directors as part of the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) team. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provides daily care, feeding, cleaning, training and enrichment activities for all animals aquatic and terrestrial according to the established protocols.
• Must have knowledge of water quality and Life support systems and be able to apply it daily with adequate testing. Be able to perform filter backwashes on exhibit systems as required and adjust water quality parameters accordingly.  
• Perform daily inspections and maintenance of animal exhibits, ensuring optimal water quality, habitat conditions, and environmental enrichment.
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance on all LSS equipment. 
• Monitor animal health and behavior, reporting any concerns to the Animal Care Team Manager.
• Maintain detailed animal/exhibit records and record water quality results daily in the Water Quality Log.
• Assist with quarantine procedures, habitat maintenance, and water quality testing on quarantine systems according to the established quarantine safety protocols.
• Assists with vet staff for all animal health related issues, treatments, procedures, and restraints.
• Preparation of all animal diets, aquatic and terrestrial.
• Assists with development of animal enrichment projects.
• Provides daily enrichment to all animals and logs information into the enrichment program.
• Provides education chats on the NBSTCC’s resident animals and coastal and marine ecosystems for visitors in a fast-paced work environment, which, at times, may be stressful or emotionally charged.
•  Leads & participates in center programs and events. Including offsite educational opportunities
•  Assists with opening and closing procedures.

 Additional Requirements:

• Possesses  knowledge of aquariums, fish, and aquatic animals.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related area of study
• Must be detail oriented and self-motivated.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and creative skills are necessary.
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Strong computer literacy and data entry skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail).
• Must be able to conduct and/or learn required information and techniques associated with animal care.
• Must be physically fit; able to lift, carry, and push objects weighing at least 50 lbs.
• Includes exposure to sounds and noise levels that may be distracting or uncomfortable.
• Requires working outdoors, exposed to extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
• Physical exertion will include repetitive standing, walking, stooping, bending, pushing, twisting and lifting.
• Must be able to feed live fish, shrimp, worms, mealworms, crickets and other food sources to animals that require live feedings. 

Important Information: The NBSTCC reserves the right to revise or change this job description as necessary or as business requires. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. There is a 90- day probationary period. Florida is an “at-will” employment state, the NBSTCC may hire, promote, or terminate employment at any time.