Manager, Sea Lions & Sea Otters

TITLE : Manager of Sea Lions & Sea Otters

DEPARTMENT : Oceanarium

REPORTS TO : Director of Animal Behavior & Training

STATUS : Full-time Exempt

SALARY : $70000 - $80000

LOCATION : Chicago - Onsite

POSITION OVERVIEW : Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment tooptimalanimal care and welfare tofacilitateimpactful public engagement with animals first approach has a foundationthatindividuals and groups of animals canexhibitnatural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design innovative behavioral training and enrichment.

TheManagerofSea Lionsand Sea Ottersreportsto theDirectorofAnimal Behavior and Trainingandis responsibleforleading a team of trainers inthe daily husbandry planningtraining and welfare ofShedd Aquariumscollection ofCalifornia Sea Lionsand Sea Otters.

ThisManagerworks closely with theDirectoras a member of theOceanariumLeadership Teamtoensureoptimalcare of the animals in theOceanariumandcompliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental collaboration withAnimal Health Environmental Quality Facilitiesand Dive Operationsis requiredtoensurethe smoothand effective operationsinvolving Managercontributes tocross-departmental goals in collaboration withConservation and Researchand Animal Health Teamsto advance in-situ and ex-situ Manager also works withother departments including Guest Relations Learning Events Marketing Development and others to provideaccess to animals and systems for public engagement.

The ManagerofSea Lions and Sea Otters serves in a leadership role in the Animal Care and ScienceDivision andfacilitatesinter-departmental planning and implementation of strategies to meet institutionalobjectivesand initiatives requiring support of theAquariumdepartment and serves as an aquarium spokesperson as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstratescommitment to Shedds vision mission and values.
• Utilizesindependent judgment and discretion in the exercise of supervisory responsibility and authority with respect to theSea Lion and Sea Otter Teamin the Animal Care and Science Division including assigning and directing work evaluating job performance resolving job concerns and problems implementing or effectively recommending decisions concerning hiring transfer reassignment promotion merit or other compensation increases or rewards layoff recall discipline and / or discharge.
• Leadsthe selection training development management and growth oftheSea Lion and Sea Otter Team.
• PubliclyrepresentsShedd and its programsparticularly as it relates to California Sea Lions and Sea includesassisting inthe development and execution of presentations serving as an aquarium spokesperson for high-profile issues in the media and elsewhere in conjunction with Shedds communication experts.
• Initiates and implementstraining protocolsfor proactive medical care for all animalsunder the care of theSea Lion and Sea OtterTeam.
• Initiates and implementscomplex animal training assignments and assurestheir consistency throughdocumentedadherence to operant conditioning principles with a focus on positive reinforcement techniques.
• Maintainsregular interactions with all the animals including training sessions feedings public presentations and play sessions.
• Assistswithall activities of the department through the administration of an approved budget and its control.
• Collaborateswith national and international breeding and conservation programs when appropriate.
• Implementsup-to-date husbandry practices andappliestheuse of positive operant conditioning principles in the day-to-day care and training of all animals.
• Supportsthe goals andobjectivesof professional organizations (AZA IMATA IAAM ALLSO etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.
• Supportsthe goals andobjectivesof professional organizations (AZA IMATA IAAM ALLSO etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.
• Maintainsa familiarityand basic working knowledge of life support systems water quality parameters and veterinary protocols.
• Developstraining protocolsto elicit encourage andfacilitatenatural behaviors for all animals in Shedds care.
• Maintainscomplianceofanimal welfare assessments reflecting proactive and reactive responses to medical conditions and concernsfor animals under the care of theSea Lion and Sea Otter Team.
• Supportstransferand breeding programs around the organizations needs and appliesappropriate trainingprotocols.
• Implementsstrategies for theSea Lion and Sea OtterTeamtomaintainand grow behaviors aligned with Shedds mission and vision.
• Implementsa staff training programto build better welfare and sustainability through excellenthusbandry operant conditioning public speaking advanced operant conditioning application and communication.
• Implementsparticipationinresearch and conservation initiativesaligned with Shedds mission and vision.
• Demonstrates a commitment to spending sufficient time with the team and animals to effectively manage both andmaintainreadiness to step in to fill any vacant role.
• Demonstratesstrong swimming skills and ability for theuse of SCUBA to maintain aquatic animalsconstructedhabitats and open water diving.
• Demonstrates ability to adjust scheduleon shortnoticeto manage the needs of the animal populations and workoneweekendday as part of the normal scheduleand as neededevenings early mornings and holidays.
• ManagesotherOceanariumteams when the direct manager is unavailable asrequested.
• Partnerswithother managers and the directorto develop budgets that support institutional priorities and implement those budgets.
• Demonstratesknowledge of all the primary animal groups cared for by theOceanarium Team.
• Implement legal compliance measures such as tracking of respirator use adherence to OSHA standards etc.
• Work with other departments throughout the aquarium to meetstrategicgoals andobjectives.
• Liaise with professional colleagues as a representative of the aquarium.
• Demonstrate constant innovation inanimal care and sustainability.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS : The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and / or ability required.

Education : Minimum of abachelorsdegreein marine sciences biologyzoologyor a relatedfield.

Experience :

Certifications :

Physical Readiness :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Working Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This person may be exposed to :

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD : We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

Reasonable Accommodations :

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process please email us at

We strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ community veterans and active duty military parents individuals with disabilities and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

Required Experience :

Manager

Key Skills

Restaurant Experience,Customer Service,Employee Evaluation,Management Experience,Math,Employment & Labor Law,Sanitation,Leadership Experience,P&L Management,Mentoring,Supervising Experience,Restaurant Management

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 70000 - 80000