Aquarist

Merlin Entertainments is offering you an exciting opportunity to expand our guest base by offering them the unique opportunity to experience all of our great attractions in the Orlando area!

The Orlando Eye is a 400ft observation wheel, providing unrivalled breath-taking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.

SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium brand with more than 40 attractions across the world. Each attraction opens a window into the magical world beneath our seas.

Madame Tussauds is the ultimate celebrity interactive experience, where you can get up close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights and historical icons.

Welcoming more than 40 million guests a year, our attractions are the embodiment of everything our business stands for, and talented and motivated people are what really bring our attractions to life.

The Role

SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium chain with more than 40 attractions across the world. Every center opens a window into the magical world beneath our seas and offers close encounters for all ages with everything from humble shrimps and starfish to seahorses, sharks and stingrays. SEA LIFE provides a fascinating insight into the wealth and diversity of marine life and plays an active role in conservation and inspires others to lend their support too.

The aquarium will comprise of a diverse collection of marine and freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates, and an ocean tank for fish, sharks and turtles.

Reporting to the Displays Supervisor, you will be responsible for delivering a consistently high standard of animal husbandry in any section of displays.

Essential Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of animal care and aquarium life support systems while consistently ensuring the highest standard of animal care and displays presentation throughout all public and behind the scenes areas
• Provide daily care of animal exhibits including diet preparation, feeding, general care and maintenance of aquatic exhibits in accordance with established protocols
• Participate in specimen transports, water quality testing, quarantine, diagnosis and treatment of fish diseases
• Ensure the accurate maintenance of daily records for aquarium systems and exhibit specimens
• Develop and participate in regular talks and presentations to staff, guests and off-site audiences
• Provide a high level of customer service to the guests, as well as a high level of professionalism and courtesy to other staff
• Be involved in the continual development and strategic planning of the displays areas in line with the long term goals of the company
• Ensure that the welfare needs of the living collection are met at all times
• Maintain and follow procedures for a safe working environment
• Adhere to all dive safety protocols

The Person

The ideal person will be a keen fish-keeper, with a good knowledge of both marine and freshwater systems. Experience within the aquarium or fish farming industry would be advantageous, but not essential, as full training will be provided.  More important, is the drive and enthusiasm to develop your knowledge and skills and apply them appropriately. As part of a busy team, you must be well organised, physically fit and capable of working with others. As a team player, you will be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Highly motivated, ideally with or working towards an Undergraduate Degree in Life Sciences required with experience in aquatic animal care in a professional aquarium environment.

You must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, as well as the energy and dedication to bring continued success to this key attraction. Advanced open water SCUBA certification required, Rescue Diver is preferred.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a Biological science, or completion of a 2-year certification program in Aquarium Science, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least one year experience in aquarium fish keeping, preferably in a public aquarium or professional environment
• SCUBA certification with at least 25 logged dives and ability to become Rescue Diver or above
• Valid driver’s license
• Experience in life support system construction a plus

In return, you can expect a great benefits package including Pension Scheme, Recognition Awards and continued growth of joining an exciting, global organization.

About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments is a business built on fun.  We are the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator. We operate over 100 attractions, eight hotels and three holiday villages in 22 countries across four continents and we run some of the best known names in global leisure. These include the likes of SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Dungeons and the Eye brand, as well as local icons such as LEGOLAND Florida.  The objective at each is to provide a truly memorable experience and a great day out for all the family.  All of which helps to cement our reputation as one of the world's leading leisure and entertainment companies.