Curator Job Post
Closing date 13th June 2022
We are looking for an experienced Curator to lead our dedicated and motivated animal care team at Skegness Aquarium, home to over a thousand animals.
Skegness Aquarium is owned by a family run business and as such, the Curator will always have the support from the General Manager to allow animal welfare to be at the heart of decision making, as it should be for any modern zoo or aquarium.
The Curator role, at Skegness Aquarium, is a fundamental part of the attraction’s senior management team and assumes leadership for our talented animal care team with support from an Assistant Curator and two Senior Aquarists. They will also be responsible to lead the team in maintaining and developing a variety of exhibits and their life support systems that are home to a wide range of marine vertebrates as well as reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. We are looking for someone with the right balance of animal and people skills as gained through industry experience to lead and inspire our team of aquarists, as well as maintaining excellent relationships within the industry.
The right candidate will already have gained experience within the industry and will provide strategic oversight to maintain the highest animal welfare and husbandry standards, as well as leading our team to continue to drive the aquarium to meet and exceed our ambitious goals.
You will also need to have a comprehensive understanding of the UK zoo licensing process and regulations, able to the lead the team to ensure continued high standards to the benefit of our animals and business. Our next renewal is due in 3years time and our current license has no additional conditions or directions.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Leading the team by example in daily husbandry tasks and maintenance of the displays, upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and striving to make improvements.
- Monitoring animal behaviour and health, liaising with the vets where necessary
- Ensuring compliance with our site’s policies and protocols and writing and reviewing them.
- Delivering basic veterinary care & treatments under guidance from IZVG vets and ensuring effective training of colleagues. Including but not limited to injections, tube feeds, various bath treatments, topical treatments, oral treatments, live sampling etc.
- Water quality testing and adjusting cleaning schedules as needed based on stock movements.
- Life support systems maintenance and basic plumbing.
- Logging and reviewing records to ensure effectiveness.
- Guest interpretation and interaction.
Essential Requirements
- Qualification/degree in marine biology, animal care or similar.
- A keen passion for the aquatic world and it’s conservation.
- Extensive experience within the public aquarium industry.
- Experience working with corals and terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.
- Experience of tropical marine aquatic husbandry and a comprehensive knowledge of aquarium life support systems.
- Proven ability to work under own initiative with high attention to detail but also a strong team player.
- Excellent leadership skills, always leading by example.
- Excellent communication skills, personable and inclusive of others and their ideas.
- Confidence speaking in public and interacting with visitors.
- Excellent record keeping skills and thorough knowledge of the British zoo licensing procedure.
- Passionate about delivering the highest standards throughout the work environment.
- Experience in providing veterinary treatments under vet’s guidance.
- Experience and knowledge of basic plumbing.
- Driver’s license and access to own vehicle.
- Dive qualification of a minimum of PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent, and be able to obtain a HSE Dive Medical.
- Be able to relocate within 45minutes of the aquarium.
Desirable requirements
- At least one years’ Assistant Curator/Displays Supervisor experience within the aquarium industry.
- Experience developing conservation and research initiatives.
- Experience installing/plumbing large scale life support systems.
What’s Included
This is a full-time position with a minimum of 42hrs per week for a competitive salary based on experience for a minimum of £28000.
This includes working regular weekends, bank holidays and school holidays as well as being on call for out of hour’s emergencies and working sometimes early or late to meet business and animal care demands.
Benefits include a pension plan, 28 days holiday including substitute bank holidays and free entry or discounts at other Teen Spirit Ltd attractions.
Apply Now
Please fill out our application form below and attach an up to date CV and Cover Letter.
Closing date to apply is 13th June 2022.
We encourage applicants to apply early as strong applicants may be invited to interview ahead of the closing date. The current Curator is working an extended notice period so should we be able to hire early this will allow for a working in person handover period.
To apply please email your CV and Cover Letter to curator@skegness-aquarium.uk
Alternatively, please send your CV and Cover Letter to
Alex Wright
Skegness Aquarium
Tower Esplanade
Skegness
Lincolnshire
PE25 3HH.