Supervisor, Cetaceans

Title:

Supervisor, Cetaceans Department:
Oceanarium

Reports To:

Manager, Cetaceans Status:
Full-time, Non-Exempt Pay Rate: $32.00 - $38.00/hour

Location:

Onsite, Chicago Position Overview

Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment to optimal animal care and welfare to facilitate impactful public engagement with wildlife. Our animals first approach has a foundation that individuals and groups of animals can exhibit natural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.

The Supervisor of Cetaceans reports to the Manager, Cetaceans, and is responsible for assisting in leading a team of trainers in the daily husbandry, planning, and welfare of Shedd Aquarium’s collection of Cetaceans.

This Supervisor works closely with the Manager, Cetaceans, to ensure optimal care of the animals in the Oceanarium and compliance with all accreditation and regulatory requirements for departmental operations. They assist in the close collaboration with Animal Health, Environmental Quality, Facilities, and Dive Operations, which is required to ensure the smooth and effective operations involving animals, staff, and habitats. The Supervisor contributes to cross-departmental goals in collaboration with Conservation and Research and Animal Health Teams to advance in-situ and ex-situ research objectives as needed.

This Supervisor also works as assigned with other departments, including Guest Relations, Learning, Events, Marketing, Development, etc., to provide access to animals and systems for public engagement.

The Supervisor, Cetaceans serves in a developmental leadership role in the Animal Care and Science Division and supports inter-departmental planning and implementation of strategies to meet institutional objectives and initiatives requiring support of the Animal Care Department, and serves as an aquarium spokesperson as needed.

• Demonstrates commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
• Assists the Manager with the selection, training, development, management, and growth of the Cetacean Team.
• Publicly represents Shedd and its programs—particularly on matters involving Cetaceans. This includes assisting in the development and execution of presentations, serving as an aquarium spokesperson for high-profile issues in the media and elsewhere in conjunction with Shedd’s communication experts.
• Implements training protocols for proactive medical care for all animals under the care of the Cetaceans Team.
• Implements complex animal training assignments and assures their consistency through documented adherence to operant conditioning principles with a focus on positive reinforcement techniques.
• Maintains regular interactions with all the animals, including training sessions, feedings, public presentations, and play sessions.
• Assists with all activities of the department through the administration of inventory and purchasing.
• Collaborates with national and international breeding and conservation programs when appropriate.
• Implements up-to-date husbandry practices and applies the use of positive operant conditioning principles in the day-to-day care and training of all animals.
• Supports the goals and objectives of professional organizations (AZA, IMATA, IAAM, ALLSO, etc.) as they relate to the aquarium and support team participation in these organizations.
• Obtains familiarity and basic working knowledge of life support systems, water quality parameters, and veterinary protocols.
• Recommends training protocols to elicit, encourage, and facilitate natural behaviors for all animals in Shedd’s care.
• Maintains compliance of an animal welfare assessment reflecting proactive and reactive responses to medical conditions and concerns for animals under the care of the Cetacean Team.
• Supports transfer and breeding programs around the organization’s needs and applies appropriate training protocols as assigned.
• Implements strategies for the Cetacean Team to maintain and grow behaviors aligned with Shedd’s mission and vision.
• Implements a staff training program to build better welfare and sustainability through excellent husbandry, operant conditioning, public…