Ocean Job Board
0
Organizations
0
Jobs
Otter Biologist II
Full-time
Posted on Nov 4, 2026
POSITION SUMMARY
This is a Biologist I OR BIOLOGIST II position in the Animal Care department, working principally on the River Otter Team. Responsibilities are primarily North American river otter care and include, but are not limited to, behavioral training, feeding, cleaning and diet preparation. Additionally, this position involves maintaining electronic records, public speaking, SCUBA diving and working with invertebrates, fishes and other animals in the Aquarium’s collection.
This position reports to the Director, Curator and Assistant Curator of Animal Care
This position supervises: May supervise volunteers.
PRIMARY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Regular, reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions and are required 100% of the time.
- Biologists are required to work an 8-hour shift. Shift start and end times vary throughout the week.
- Daily cleaning of exhibits and holding spaces associated with our North American river otter population.
- Daily free-contact training sessions with otters.
- Present a daily talk for guests, along with training sessions.
- While the primary responsibilities are to care for and train our population of North American river otters, responsibilities may include specific projects like water quality, jelly culturing, amphibian care, reptile care, small mammal care, food acquisition and preparation, animal collection and vessel maintenance.
- Monitor animal health, water quality, life support equipment, maintenance, and display aesthetics of animal exhibits.
- Develop and prepare diets to meet nutritional requirements; administer medical treatments to mammals, fishes and invertebrates.
- Drive company vehicle for collection and transport of live animals.
- Collect live animals, maintain animal care and transport equipment.
- SCUBA dive in displays and for collecting.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
- Ability to problem-solve independently
- Demonstrated initiative and attention to detail
- Experience with life support equipment including pumps, filters and oxygen
- A firm understanding of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training concepts
- Ability to administer medical treatments to mammals, fish and invertebrates
- Familiarity with the basic parameters of water quality and treatment
- Ability to train and assist less experienced staff
- Some knowledge of animal necropsy techniques and tissue sampling
- Exercise discretion and independent judgment while completing all aspects of animal husbandry including equipment care and animal acquisition
- Work without supervision while monitoring animal health, water quality and life support equipment function
- Maintain electronic animal care data, return telephone messages and e-mails in a timely fashion
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to speak effectively with individuals and groups.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- A four-year college degree
- A minimum of one year of paid experience working at a public zoo or aquarium in a hands-on animal training setting, specifically with aquatic animals or mammals
- Basic computer skills and the ability to work well in a team environment are necessary
- A minimum of open water SCUBA certification
- Must be able to interact professionally with guests, staff and aquarium volunteers to maintain a high-quality guest experience
- Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to safely drive a variety of vehicles including, but not limited to, a cargo van and truck
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 100 feet. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires walking on concrete floors and climbing stairs, standing, and intervals of time outdoors in varying environmental conditions. The position requires SCUBA certification and the ability to SCUBA dive in displays and open water for collection. An employee must also have the ability to travel by car, boat and air as needed, physically use SCUBA equipment, conduct field work in the collection and research of animals, and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals. Must either have or be able to attain a California Driver’s License and be willing to be trained to drive a large vehicle and drive to off-site meetings/special events. DMV clearance required upon hire.
Position Specifics:
- This is a full-time, non-exempt position
- The schedule for this position may include additional work hours for special events
- Evening, weekend, holidays and overtime may be required; and statutory benefits included after a probationary period has been completed
To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resume via email at [email hidden]. Include your name and “Otter Biologist 2” in the subject line, and submit your cover letter and resume as separate attachments. No phone calls, please.