Are you passionate about marine life and ready to dive into a rewarding career in animal care? The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is looking for a motivated, upbeat, and team-oriented Exhibits Technician I (Aquarist Keeper) to help provide exceptional care to our diverse collection of aquatic and terrestrial animals.
- This is more than just a job—it’s a chance to make a real impact on animal welfare, conservation, and education. If you have a strong foundation in animal husbandry and a love for marine science, we want to hear from you!
- As part of our dynamic Animal Care team, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the health and well-being of our animals, including fishes, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), marine invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians. Duties will include:
- Maintaining top-notch animal health and welfare through habitat cleaning and providing nutritious diets.
- Supporting veterinary staff and senior aquarists during medical procedures.
- SCUBA diving to maintain aquatic habitats and ensure a clean, enriching environment.
- Assisting with species planning, animal transfers, and acclimations.
- Culturing live food and maintaining live animal systems.
- Training and mentoring new volunteers and part-time staff.
- Engaging with guests in a variety of settings through educational presentations and interactive programs.
- Contributing to a positive visitor experience by actively seeking guest engagement opportunities.
- Participating in ongoing professional development to grow your skills and knowledge.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A solid understanding of animal welfare and husbandry practices.
- Experience working with aquatic species and/or reptiles and amphibians.
- A collaborative spirit and strong communication skills.
- A current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher.
- Enthusiasm for public education and conservation messaging.
- At the Virginia Aquarium, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to inspiring conservation through education, research, and exceptional animal care.
- We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for growth, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule:
- 5-day, 40-hour work week between the hours of 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; will vary occasionally to meet operational needs.
Experience Required
- Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to two (2) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with positions such as aquarist, exhibits technician, biologist, or animal keeper in a similar facility or program.
- Individual positions will have specific requirements regarding subject expertise, skills and training; these will be noted on job requisition at time opening is advertised.
- Must possess and maintain at all times current SCUBA certification of Open Water Diver or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency.
- Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
- This position may require that incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk.
- Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on position assigned.
- Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the Citys operational status.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
- This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing.
- Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
Further Comments
Preferences:
- Bachelors degree in a related field of science.
- One (1) or more years experience paid/unpaid with fish/invertebrate/reptile husbandry.
- Experience with enrichment and/or training for fish/invertebrates/reptiles.
- Experience in an aquarium, zoo or similar setting.
- Experience maintaining biosecurity in an aquarium/zoo or similar setting.
- Experience maintaining animal records in ZIMS or similar database.
- Experience with animal enrichment and/or training for fish/invertebrates/reptiles.
- Experience diving in exhibits for maintenance.
- Experience and/or knowledge in basic life support and water quality testing.
Perks
- https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/Careers/Full-time-Employee-Benefits.pdf
Salary
- G.16, $36,753.60 - $56,971.20; Starting Salary will be Minimum of the Pay Range
