Aquarist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title : Keeper Aquarist – Part Time

Department : Husbandry

Reports To : Curator of Aquatics

Location : Audubon Aquarium & Audubon Insectarium

Position Type : Part-Time

Who We Are

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park

At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature. Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change. We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission. As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world.

What You’ll Do

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is looking for a motivated individual to add to its Husbandry staff as a keeper for a diverse collection of fishes. This is an entry-level, part-time position working 29 hours a week on a set schedule. This position works with the Husbandry team to accomplish established goals aimed at excellence in animal care and guest experience. Must have the ability to work weekends and holidays possess a valid driver’s license.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Provides a high standard of animal care. Understanding of professional animal care and welfare standards. Prioritizes preventative care and excellence in animal welfare.
• A basic knowledge of water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle for water quality monitoring.
• Follow training (operant conditioning) and enrichment SOPs to accomplish behavior and welfare goals.
• Administers prescribed treatments and assists with procedures as needed.
• Follows direction and act in accordance with all established protocols and procedures. Compliance with all AZA and USDA standards. Follows all SOPs as written to facilitate good animal welfare and safety.
• Responsible for all aspects of exhibit maintenance. Able to accomplish daily tasks within acceptable / established timeframe.
• Monitors exhibit functionality, air and water parameters, identifying and communicating anomalies / concerns in a timely fashion.
• Accurate recordkeeping for short- and long-term monitoring of health, behavior, tracking trends and advancing animal practices.
• Participation in professional development as assigned.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with a team to provide consistency and advancement in animal care. Assists with oversight of volunteers and interns.
• Ability to engage guests in pursuit of education and conservation goals. This includes chats, tours, media appearances, ambassador animal programs, etc. Able to represent Audubon Nature Institute with professionalism and in support of mission-oriented efforts.

Additional / Overall Skills :

What We’re Looking For

Must Haves :

Nice-to-Haves : (preferred for the role)

Physical Requirements : (Add per list provided based on role type)