Job Description
POSITION: Marine Aquarist
LOCATION: Blue Planet Aquarium
Tropical Marine Aquarist at Blue Planet Aquarium
Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks is looking to recruit an experienced Tropical Marine Aquarist.
The aquarium is part of Deep Sea Leisure plc which has 6 other aquarium visitor attractions in the group. Our displays include animals from the British coastline to tropical reefs. At the heart of the aquarium is a3.8 million litre shark tank; as well as a diverse collection of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates.
You will be responsible for the Tropical Marine Displays – consisting of corals, jellyfish and fish species. As well as assisting on the freshwater, temperate marine and terrestrial animal sections when needed.
A proven track record in fish and coral husbandry is essential. A proven ability to design, construct and maintain tropical reef aquaria is a must and familiarity with PVC pipework, basic joinery and maintenance of life support equipment including pumps is a must. Other responsibilities will include providing veterinary care, display development and breeding programmes as directed. PADI Dive Master or above is desirable but not essential.
You will be responsible for the Tropical Marine Displays – consisting of corals, jellyfish and fish species. As well as assisting on the freshwater, temperate marine and terrestrial animal sections when needed.
A proven track record in fish and coral husbandry is essential. A proven ability to design, construct and maintain tropical reef aquaria is a must and familiarity with PVC pipework, basic joinery and maintenance of life support equipment including pumps is a must. Other responsibilities will include providing veterinary care, display development and breeding programmes as directed. PADI Dive Master or above is desirable but not essential.
It's important that all visitors have an enjoyable day out and this is where you play a part. You will be responsible for conversing with visitors whilst carrying out your daily duties around the aquarium as well as delivering engaging presentations. It's essential therefore that you enjoy and are just as confident working behind the scenes as well as Front of House.
We do recognize the time and effort it takes to apply for a position, but as an employer of choice we receive a high volume of applications and in the interests of economy, Aspro UK does not notify candidates who have been unsuccessful in their application; consequently if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
If interested, please send your CV and covering letter to: Janeen Pickup, Aspro UK Group HR Manager, c/o Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks,
Your application letter should highlight why you would be able to fulfill this key role within the organisation and clearly demonstrate how you meet our requirements. Please include your salary expectations. Closing date: Friday, 15th June 2012 Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd June 2012.
Blue Planet Aquarium is committed to Equal Opportunities: www.blueplanetaquarium.co.uk
RESPONSIBLE TO: Curator
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Volunteers and work experience (on a day to day basis)
RESPONSIBLE FOR LIAISON WITH: Blue Planet Aquarium staff at all levels.
Deputy Curator
Dive Supervisor (daily dive operations only)
Dive team
Dive/LS Technician (shark exhibit maintenance and husbandry)
Mission Statement: To offer fun in parks which are safe and environmentally friendly, and guarantee a high quality of service, with customers served by a motivated team, to ensure that they are satisfied and want to return.”
Purpose: To ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance throughout the Blue Planet Aquarium with special interest in marine exhibits. Through consideration of the Visitor experience, fun, education, value, conservation awareness and animal welfare – employ Zoological strategies and an enthusiastic attitude to deliver the highest standard of exhibits, informative talks and dive operation throughout Blue Planet Aquarium (BPA) ensuring that Visitors are satisfied and want to return.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
1.1 Upkeep (including hygiene, tidiness and safety) of all marine exhibits, equipment and service areas to the standards expected by the Curator
1.2 Responsible for animal husbandry throughout the collection with special interes t in all marine exhibits.
1.3 Responsible for monitoring and recording water quality and environmental parameters ensuring it meets the needs of the animals in the collection.
1.4 Maintain suitable stock levels in all exhibits (as directed by Curator and Displays Supervisor) by liaising with a variety of live stock suppliers and ordering under the guidance of the displays supervisor.
1.5 Ensuring the highest standards of animal husbandry are maintained with all livestock whilst keeping up to date with advances in relevant technology and practices.
1.6 Strict record keeping for all areas of animal husbandry (births, deaths, arrivals, departures, feeding regimes, development plans, daily protocols, Animal health procedures etc.
1.7 Consideration for the welfare of all animals in our care providing input to ethical review committee where requested.
1.8 Carry out animal health enquiries and post mortems in accordance with the requirements of the company vet.
1.9 To implement feeding regimes as directed by Curator in consultation with the company vet.
1.10 Awareness and promotion of Conservation Strategies throughout the activities of the Zoological department.
2 EXHIBIT MAINTENANCE
2.1 To be competent in all aspects of designing, costing and building tropical reef aquariums.
2.2 Ensure the upkeep of all plant rooms, quarantine areas, laboratories, store rooms to the highest standard and meet relevant safety standards.
2.3 To design, construct and maintain filtration systems suitable for the species in your care whilst being responsible for installation and maintenance of plumbing, basic joinery and lighting of displays.
2.4 To maintain displays, plant, equipment and life support systems, including pumps to relevant safety standards.
2.5 To continuously improve your displays throughout the collection with an ability to work to deadlines set by your Line Manager.
3 HEALTH AND SAFETY
3.1 Ensure the storage of all COSHH materials and medication adheres to company standards
3.2 Ensure company Health and Safety practices are followed at all times
3.3 Ensure that Risk Assessments for your working areas are up to date and revised annually.
4. DIVING
4.1 To satisfactorily complete dive courses agreed with Curator
4.2 Undertake training to become PADI Divemaster/BSAC Dive Leader if requested by the Curator
4.3 Responsible for ensuring Dive Medical is up to date at all times
4.4 Maintaining own records of diving and ensuring compliance with HSE & PADI regulations
4.5 Maintaining accurate records of dive equipment
4.6 Supervising and dive tending for shows, training, maintenance and collecting dives
4.7 Scuba diving for shows, maintenance, training and collection
4.8 Assist with monitoring, servicing and maintenance of scuba equipment
4.9 Responsible for reporting any health and safety incidents to the Curator and Dive Officer.
5 CUSTOMER SERVICE
5.1 Providing outstanding customer service to all BPA visitors in all circumstances
5.2 Write and present public feeds and shows to the highest standard as directed
5.3 Maintain and continually develop interpretation throughout collection including species graphics with special interest in terrestrial exhibits
5.4 Ensure uniform standards are maintained at a suitable level and for representing BPA within the Zoological Community in a positive light
5.5 To be courteous, pleasant and approachable at all times when dealing with the public in order to establish a lasting positive image of the aquarium
6. Finance management
6.1 Ensure that all purchases are authorized by the Curator in accordance with financial control procedures.
6.2 To manage resources, be aware of costs and to look for better value for money at all times
7. OTHER DUTIES
7.1 To attend training courses as required by the business, and be available to assist at other sites if required.
7.2 To impart knowledge to the rest of the BPA team if deemed necessary and to assist in the training of work experience and work based students
7.3 Responsible for representing BPA within the Zoological Community in a positive light
7.4 To do any other reasonable duty as required by the Curator in accordance with the needs of the business.
7.5 From time to time the company or Park Director may make reasonable requests for you to undertake duties not necessarily covered in the above
7.6 Once fully trained become part of the on call rota which means being on call outside normal working hours
7.7 To work unsociable and sometimes long hours as and when the business needs
7.8 Attend meetings, conference, work placements and training when requested and to assist other Aspro sites in order to help development where deemed necessary by the Company
7.9 Cooperate and assist other team members (including the sharing of all knowledge and experience) when needed. Provide cover for the Zoological department during holidays and days off
Agreed by:
……………………………………..Post Holder Date…………………………….
…………………………………….. Curator Date……………………………..
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