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Aquarist

Job Description

Job Title: Aquarist

Division: SEA LIFE London

Grade: F

Department: Displays 

Reporting to: Displays Supervisor

Reporting to this position: N/A

 

Scope of Job: To play a key role in ensuring consistently high standards of display presentation and animal husbandry. To support the running and maintenance of all off show areas including quarantining and husbandry of animals. 

 

Key Objectives:

-       To maintain consistently high standards of displays presentation throughout all public and behind scenes areas of displays.

-       To ensure consistently high standards of animal husbandry and life support systems operation.

-       To play a key role in the continual development of the displays on site in line with the displays development plan.

-       To play a key role in the continual development of the BRP work conducted on and off site in line with the BRP development plan.

-       Be an ambassador for SEA LIFE London Aquarium, leading from the front promoting the core brand values every day to inspire, coach and motivate others.

 

Main Responsibilities:

-       Work to a level that is equal to or surpasses the guidelines set in the company minimum standards for displays.

-       Action plans set out as part of the displays objectives for the site

-       Prepare suitable diets and feed all livestock.

-       Ensure consistently high levels of animal health and welfare.

-       Ensure high quality product presentation through the routine maintenance of displays and tanks, thus ensuring high levels of visitor satisfaction.

-       Complete ongoing routine maintenance of Life Support Systems, crisis management equipment, environmental alarms and associated critical spares.

-       Complete accurate and up to date displays record systems including deliveries, collections, livestock management, feeding and associated matters.

-       Implement continually high levels of cleanliness of all the displays, quarantine and food preparation areas, plus associated plant and workshops.

-       Maintain and develop displays lighting, signage and interactive displays in the displays area.

-       As a key member of the displays team, alarm callout duties will be mandatory and as such will be a designated key holder. Due to the nature and importance of this role it is require for employees within this role to reach the site when on callout duty within 1 hour

-       Working shift pattern to cover 5 days out of 7, averaging 40 hours per week, not including any breaks. The ability to be flexible with working hours and days to meet demands and requirements of the business which operates 7 days a week.

-       Working a shift patern that includes an early shift (for example 8am – 4pm) and a late shift (for example 11am – 7pm) dependant on the needs of the buisness

-       Care and cleanliness of any vehicle used for species collection, deliveries etc.

-       Whilst caring for animals and working with the public and for marketing/PR activities, it is likely that you will be required to work outside your normal contracted hours.  In addition, you will be expected to remain flexible with regards to weekly rotas based on the needs of the business and animal requirements.

-       To talk and communicate with the guests in a friendly and engaging manner whilst conducting normal duties or as part of an experience or talk where required for the needs of the buisness.

-       To oversee and lead where needed guest focused animal experiences conducted on site.

-       Where able to become trained as part of the displays dive team and be available for diving in roles determined by the needs of the buisness.

-       To represent or support Merlin Entertainments to external media and other areas with appropriate support and training.

-       Complying with the statutory and company regulations regarding Health and Safety at Work and COSHH.

-       Ensure there is a safe working environment on site for yourself and all displays staff, through keeping up to date with risk assesssments and health and safety related documents/signs, ensuring that you are fully trained in safe working procedures and that correct PPE is available for all tasks undertaken before undertaking them

-       Ensure prompt and accurate reporting or health and safety incidents on site

-       Ensure all back of house areas are kept presenatable to a standard set out by the Assistant Curator / Senior Curator

-       Adhere to all Zoo licence or equivalent regulations and how they apply to the centre.

-       Responsible for ordering of livestock feeds and sundries within budgetary constraints.

-       To minimise waste and unessesary spend on consumables where possible.

-       Completion of specific projects or investigations to develop the onsite displays as directed by the displays/BRP team.

-       Play a key role in the continual development of the core product through completion of tasks detailed within the site ‘Displays Development Plan’.

-       To attend and present at conferences or other peer gatherings when requested to talk about the work undertaken on site.

-       To undertake objectives set through yearly PDP assessment.

-       Play a key role in the displays and site team to ensure the smooth operation of the displays and site.

-       Maintain a high level of communication between the displays and site management and Merlin animal welfare department.

-       Supervision of Displays Assistants, work experience and volunteers.

-       Adhere to all customer care initiatives as specified by the company.

-       Attendance of all relevant training courses and workshop as dictated with Merlin animal welfare department.

 

Health & Safety

 

Employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, their colleagues and guests (where appropriate), in line with the Group Policy (HS001) and the law. In particular, they must ensure that they follow safe working procedures for all work activities that they undertake and they must not use any tools or equipment for which they have not been trained.  Where incidents do occur, they must ensure that they are reported to their line manager and must cooperate with any investigation as appropriate.