Aquarist

Join Our Engaging Team

Become a vital member of the original Key West Aquarium family, a historic attraction opened in 1935 at the renowned Mallory Square. Embrace a role that combines entertainment, education, and animal care in a fun and dynamic environment.

Role Overview

An Aquarist at our facility is responsible for educating guests on marine life, the aquarium's history, and conservation efforts, while also ensuring the well-being of animals across all exhibits. Daily tasks include preparing the aquarium for visitors, maintaining cleanliness and appearance throughout the day, feeding the animals, and habitat maintenance. Occasionally, you will support off-site educational activities and represent the aquarium with professionalism and enthusiasm.

Primary Responsibilities

• Warmly welcome every guest, providing attentive and friendly hospitality.
• Memorize and deliver informative and engaging scripts on the aquarium, marine life, and conservation topics to audiences both indoors and outdoors, utilizing amplification equipment.
• Demonstrate animal feeding behaviors multiple times per shift with clarity and enthusiasm.
• Offer detailed information to visitors to help interpret and appreciate exhibits.
• Prepare specific diets and feed animals according to schedules set by supervisors, keeping accurate feeding records.
• Maintain cleanliness by washing glass panels, picking up litter, mopping floors, and managing waste throughout the day.
• Handle aquarium setup and breakdown, along with exhibit maintenance tasks that may require partial or full immersion in water.
• Monitor animal health by observing for signs of disease or injury, reporting findings to the Aquarist Supervisor, and assisting with treatment as directed.
• Care for a diverse array of permitted and non-permitted species including reptiles, invertebrates, elasmobranchs, and chelonians, adhering to state regulations and management authorization.
• Help with moving animals and managing supplies during loading and unloading activities.

Additional Duties

• Support management with the creation, refinement, and delivery of educational curricula.
• Represent the aquarium at community outreach events such as fairs, school presentations, and expos to promote educational programs.
• Model positive behavior for visitors, maintaining high company standards.
• Adhere to and promote all safety protocols to protect guests and staff, reporting any safety issues promptly.
• Maintain flexibility to work various shifts including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications and Skills

• High motivation with ability to work independently and collaboratively within established guidelines.
• Skills in memorization, stage presentation, and engaging public speaking.
• Clear and audible voice suitable for addressing groups of up to 30 people.
• Capability to perform precise timed script delivery and maintain safety during animal feedings.
• Effective listening skills to understand and respond thoughtfully to visitors and coworkers.
• Professional demeanor when interacting with difficult or upset individuals.
• Proficiency in English reading, writing, and speaking for effective communication.
• Must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Florida Driver's License with a clean record for the last three years.

Preferred Background

• Completion of at least one year of college coursework or enrollment in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, or Education programs preferred.
• Previous experience in performance, tour guiding, or interpretative roles is highly desirable.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage of $20 with paid training.
• Eligibility for paid vacation and company-sponsored health and wellness plans for full-time employees.
• Paid sick leave, a 401K plan with employer matching, and a vibrant workplace culture including awards and recognition events.
• Access to 24-hour online medical consultations (covered fully by employer) for employees and their dependents.
• Discounts in retail stores and free admission to all company-managed attractions.

About the Employer

Operating tours, attractions, and retail venues since 1980 across multiple US cities including Boston, Charleston, Key West, Nashville, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Augustine, Savannah, and Washington, DC.