Assistant Curator - Biopark Aquarium

Position Summary

Supervise, plan and coordinate staff engaged in a variety of ABQ BioPark services, activities and operations with the focus on providing highly responsible care and husbandry of the BioPark's diverse living collection. This includes the maintenance of exhibits and facilities. Assignment will be in one of the BioPark facilities: Zoo (exotic animals); Botanic Garden (plants, trees, farm animals and displays); Aquarium (salt and fresh water aquatic animals and plants).

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in marine biology or aquaculture; and

Three (3) years of fresh or saltwater aquatic animal and plant husbandry experience; and

To include one (1) year of supervisory or lead experience.

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Preferred Knowledge

• Principles and practices of supervision, evaluation and training

• Principles and practices of farm animals and plant supervision, evaluation and training

• Principles and techniques of Botanical Garden or Biological Park management

• Principles and techniques of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification

• Principles and techniques of Aquarium or Biological Park management

• Principles and techniques of Farm management

• Principles and techniques of Farm animal and plant management

• Principles and techniques of marine and aquatic animal husbandry

• Animal behavioral training and acceptable operant conditioning techniques

• Elephant protected contact techniques

• Elephant husbandry requirements

• Theories of botany and horticulture

• Theories and practices of agriculture

• Theories and practices of tree care

• Principles and techniques of irrigation design and maintenance

• Principles and techniques of landscape maintenance for display and educational purposes.

• Theories and practices of ecology, plant and water conservation and sustainability as it applies to botanical garden and biological park design and exhibits

• Ornamental, native and invasive plant identification and management strategies

• Methods of nursery propagation and plant husbandry

• Theories and practices of water quality management

• Basic operations and services of a Biological Park program focusing on either animals or plants including trees and/or horticultural aspects

• Basic operations and services of a Biological Park program focusing on marine and aquatic biology

• Basic operations and services of a Biological Park program focusing on farm animals and agricultural plants

• Methods and techniques of botanical garden or biological park design, planning and construction as it relates to landscape management and tree health

• Methods and techniques of aquarium or biological park design and planning

• Methods of supervision, training, and performance evaluation

• Methods of supervision, training, and performance evaluation on chain saw operation

• Design, recommend and implement aquarium or biological park displays/exhibits

• Principles and procedures of record keeping

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation

• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices

• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Interpret and explain City Bio Park programs, policies and procedures

• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff

• Exercise proper judgment in cases of animal emergencies and crop problems

• Foster a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement

• Design, recommend and implement garden/conservatory/ farm or biological park displays/exhibits, including irrigation design and installation

• Train husbandry behaviors in elephants utilizing protected contact

• Respond to requests and inquires from the public

• Work independently in the absence of supervision

• Oversee the work of lower level staff

• Communicate clearly and concisely

• Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work