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Animal Welfare Specialist (AWS) – Aquatics & Avian

Coral World Ocean Park //

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands //

Apply by: January 15, 2025

Become a member of our Aquarist team at Coral World Ocean Park in sunny St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. We are looking for an experienced candidate that will carry out husbandry duties for the many animals and exhibits we offer to our guests. This demanding job requires attention to detail, time management skills and a positive attitude that can be shared with our visitors.

Functions & Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Daily care and maintenance of the park’s animal exhibits and collection including fish, rays, sharks, sea turtles, tropical birds and many others.
Performs public presentations to large groups of guests and feeding demonstrations with the animals while interacting with guests to promote conservation and education messaging that supports the parks mission.
Husbandry tasks include performing observational rounds, diet preparation, and disease recognition.
Participating in basic animal training for some of the collection species.
Maintaining daily record keeping in accordance with established procedures.
Maintaining exhibits and pools, including the use of SCUBA for underwater tasks
Participate in special events and educational programs.
Keeping behind the scenes areas clean and organized.
Collection of specimens for aquatic exhibits and assist with designing new exhibits.
Working in a team environment and assist in all areas of the park, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Experience

Knowledge & Skills

Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Must be a team player and be able to get along well with others.
Must be able to use tact in handling sensitive situations.
Must be personable, courteous, and able to work under pressure.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology, Zoology, Biology, or related field.
Minimum of 2 years professional experience in an aquarium or marine-related field.
Must be able to lift 50 lbs., and able to pass a swim/endurance test.
Open Water SCUBA certification required from accredited agency.
Must be a team player with strong communication skills, have a positive attitude, and an outgoing personality, with the ability to work well unsupervised.
Must be aware of the challenges of living on a Caribbean island (high cost of living, working in the sun and heat all day, etc.).
Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
Flexible with non-traditional schedules (working holidays and weekends).
Must be able to work in the U.S.

Preferred:

Wants to work in the Hospitality Industry.
Bilingual

Job Requirements

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires the employee to stand/walk for most of his or her working hours but occasionally must stoop, kneel, or crouch.
This position requires to walk around the park sometimes on uneven ground and up and down stairs.
This position frequently required to reach with hands and arms, using hands to handle or feel.
This position requires to be in constant communication with guests requiring the candidate to talk and hear.
This position also must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

This job operates in a professional environment (indoor and outdoor). The employee will be exposed to sunny, warm, humid, and wet conditions.
Work performed by this role will be primarily outdoors regardless of weather conditions.
This position requires staff to work in or underwater potentially on a daily basis.
This role routinely uses standard equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, file cabinets, etc.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: $16.00 - $19.00