Job opportunities

Aquarist and Visitor Services

Position: Aquarist and Visitor Services

Collection: Skegness Aquarium

Location: Lincolnshire, Skegness

Type: Paid, Permanent, 30 – 40 hrs per week (part time)

 

Aquarist Role and guest services role:

Skegness Aquarium is a family-owned establishment looking to employ an Aquarist/Visitor Services team member to enhance our displays and visitor service departments. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated person with a positive work ethic to join our dynamic team, where you'll get the best of both worlds—caring for our incredible creatures and creating unforgettable experiences for our visitors.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a dedicated and versatile individual to fill a split role position within our team. This unique role offers a balance of behind-the-scenes animal care and front-of-house guest interaction.

• 18 - 40 hours per week will be spent working within the Zoological Department, where you'll be responsible for the husbandry and daily care of a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial animals.
• The remaining 12 - 22 hours per week will be dedicated to Visitor Services, including reception duties, café assistance, and delivering engaging public demonstrations and talks.
• Totalling 30 - 40 hours per week. 

Aquarist:

The successful candidate will (after full training) be expected to work across the three sections of the aquarium and assist in all areas relating to animal husbandry. This will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work across the aquarium feeds, maintenance and herpetological sections. During a standard day on these sections, you could be doing anything from feeding our black tip reef sharks, servicing our poison dart frog displays, or serving our life support systems. This creates an exciting and varied work life balance and gives you the opportunity to learn and develop new and/or existing skills. Furthermore, you will be expected to attend and contribute to all morning meetings, making suggestions to develop sections and improve practices.

The candidate will be expected to provide the highest standards of animal welfare and to ensure all in house practices and guidelines are adhered to. They should also have a good understanding of the secretary of state modern zoo licence practice. They will need to be able to collate and record detailed and accurate animal records via the use Microsoft Office so computer skills are a must. As well as complying with departmental policies in relation to administration and health & safety and ensure they are appropriately followed. Experience with and understanding of strict bio-security and veterinary procedures is desirable.

Finally, this role allows for continued professional development; the company will aim to aid the candidate in this by allowing time to complete all in house training required for day-to-day operations of the site. The candidate will be given time and reasonable resources to attend CPD courses outside of the work place when applicable and to meet the needs of the business.

 

 

 

Visitor services:

This role is largely public facing and will require the candidates to engage with the visitors at various times of the day. The visitors’ services team also carry out various public demonstrations in the way of main tank talks, herpetological talks, and snorkelling with shark’s experiences. Therefore, a passion for marine life and animal welfare is a must.

Other duties include but are not restricted to welcoming and assisting guests at reception, providing excellent customer service. Operate café equipment and serve food and beverages in a professional manner. Support general visitor experience operations, including events and educational programs.

Scuba diving at rescue diver level Is desirable due to our in-house dive team carrying out routine shark diving experiences, and with the help of the displays team the servicing of our main tank display. Therefore, the ability to dive would be a benefit but is not essential for the role as this would be an extra to those with the appropriate qualifications.

Essential:

• Educated to degree level in relevant field (Zoology, Marine biology, Animal Welfare and Management)
• A good understanding of aquarium water chemistry and LSS (life support systems)
• Competent with computers and are able to use Microsoft office
• Ability to problem solve and improvise to diverse situations
• Enthusiastic and motivated team player
• Positive attitude and excellent work ethic
• Reasonable level of fitness

 

• Desirable:
• Experienced in providing high levels of animal’s husbandry to a wide range of taxonomic groups (preferably at a BIAZA or EAZA accredited site)

• Experience with large aquarium LSS
• Experience medicating aquatic and terrestrial lower vertebrates
• Experience working at other zoological collections preferably aquariums
• Experience working with sensitive aquatic species and managing their water quality parameters
• Experience delivering educational talks and presentations
• Qualified up to Rescue Diver (PADI or equivalent)
• Ability to carry out basic maintenance and construction tasks
• Completed DMZAA zoological course
• Full UK driving licence

This role would suit someone looking for a varied and hands-on career in both animal care and public education, with a solid pathway for professional development in the zoo and aquarium sector.