Senior Mammal Trainer

The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually.

Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals.

Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. Anew 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full‑time staff, and part‑time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers.

The Senior Trainer at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is responsible for living specimens and maintaining their life support systems. Salary range is $27.91–$28.53.

• Provide care for mammals and participate in daily training session and demonstrations.
• Provide daily animal care, including diet prep and feeding and exhibit cleaning.
• Maintain exhibits and back‑of‑house areas and life support systems, including cleaning, backwashing, and water changes, etc.
• Evaluate animal health, diets, appetite and behavior, and report findings to manager.
• Calculate and administer medical doses to animals as directed by veterinarians; assist with routine veterinary procedures and rounds.
• Perform water quality analysis, calculate and administer adjustments, follow up with subsequent testing.
• Cross‑train in other sections as needed.
• Modify and repair exhibits and LSS as needed.
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa.
• Support Assistant Curators in the supervision, training, and mentoring of aquarists, interns, and volunteers in routine animal care, safety procedures, and aquarium operation.
• Act as section point person in the absence of their Assistant Curator.
• Coordinate projects, collecting trips, animal transports, and procedural tasks, following legal regulations and ethical best practices.
• Write, review and update area SOPs.
• Enter and update animal records in TRACKs; assist in research projects as necessary; spot‑check records and report issues to Assistant Curator.
• Maintain general knowledge of AZA and USDA regulations and work with Assistant Curator to ensure compliance.
• Deliver public presentations and participate in radio and television interviews.
• Work to desensitize animals for program and training.
• Administer enrichment and approve new proposals under direction of Assistant Curator.
• Work with animals to train new behaviors and desensitize for public programs.
• Serve as Institutional Representative (IR) for assigned SSPs and TAGs.
• Participate in public training demonstrations and/or keeper talks.
• Participate in professional conferences and represent the aquarium externally (as eligible).
• Provide feedback on social media content related to animal care.
• Conduct welfare assessments and report findings.
• Monitor inventory and maintain section equipment and supplies.
• Interact positively and professionally with guests, animal care and veterinary staff, and volunteers, and report issues to supervisor and act in a professional manner.
• Follow all safety protocols and understand their role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required.
• Maintain a variety of collecting equipment.
• This position will require the individual to work weekends and holidays, assist with after‑hours emergencies, and to travel for extended periods of time to perform collecting and transport duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Prefer four‑year degree (B.S. or B.A.) in…