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Animal Care Specialist I
Seattle Aquarium
Posted on Mar 26, 2026
Job Posting
Bird and Mammal Animal Care Specialist I
Department: Animal Care
Reports to: Supervisor of Birds & Mammals
Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly
Hours of Work: Thursday through Monday. Typical hours are 7:00am to 3:30pm. Occasional early morning shifts (5:00am to 1:30pm) may be required for food prep, along with rare evening or overnight shifts based on operational needs.
Position Overview
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking a Birds and Mammal Animal Care Specialist I responsible for all assigned husbandry duties of the Seattle Aquarium’s bird and mammal population. This position will be caring for: sea otters, harbor seals, northern fur seals, North American river otters, various alcids and shorebirds, and fish and invertebrates which inhabit the bird habitats. Must be organized, self-motivated, independent, and show a strong desire to complete projects. Preference given to candidates with an interest in and basic understanding of bird and marine mammal biology, water quality parameters/analysis, aquatic life-support systems, and marine and aquatic animal health.
Multicultural, multilingual, and diverse experiences are an asset in this role as we have a diverse and passionate team. The natural sciences and the conservation movement have historically marginalized many communities from taking on scientific roles such as this one. The Aquarium actively seeks to dismantle this practice and broaden participation in marine and environmental conservation professions, making them more inclusive of the full diversity of our communities and responsive to their needs and perspectives. Candidates passionate about anti-racism, social justice, environmental justice, and other intersections will be an asset to our work. All staff should value and participate in advancing and integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values into their work. The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural, traditional practices, community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education.
Essential Functions
- Perform daily animal care operations within Bird & Mammal (BAM) team, including diet preparation and monitoring, habitat care and maintenance, etc.
- Learn to be an individual species Assistant Lead for institution’s resident BAM species/habitats, if assigned, with guidance from Senior Animal Care Specialists and Supervisors. Practice adjusting species diets, monitoring animal weights, coordinating species behavioral training goals in collaboration with Curator, Supervisors, and Veterinary team, providing extra focus and advocation for animal/area needs, and training other BAM staff members in standards of care for species.
- Observe and learn appropriate operant conditioning techniques with an emphasis on positive reinforcement. Assists with maintaining established trained behaviors. Practices shaping and desensitization of new behaviors with guidance from Animal Care Specialist IIs, Senior Animal Care Specialists, and Supervisors. Receives mentoring as needed when behavioral management issues arise.
- Observe/evaluate animal behavior to determine physical and behavioral health and wellbeing.
- Comply with all standard operating procedures and husbandry manuals for all species and animal facilities managed by the BAM team.
- Offer and document behaviorally appropriate enrichment to birds and mammals. Assist in designing, implementing, and evaluating a variety of novel behavioral enrichment opportunities for the animal collection that encourage natural behavior.
- Submit work orders and communicate habitat need requests with Facilities and Engineering staff as assigned.
- Become familiar with record keeping protocols and reports regarding assigned species including daily veterinary reports, habitat maintenance, food consumption records, and other reports.
- Become familiar with the Animal Welfare Act and all USDA/APHIS regulations pertaining to maintaining and public display of marine mammals and birds. Learn all relevant and necessary AZA accreditation standards. Assist in preparing for inspections as assigned.
- Administer basic medications according to established procedures and veterinary instructions. Practice and assist in the administration of challenging medications and treatments. Assist in handling or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures as necessary to ensure animal welfare.
- Practice public speaking skills necessary to interpret natural history and conservation issues effectively with the public in both formal (on microphone) and informal settings.
- Responsibly order BAM team supplies as assigned.
- Provide occasional response to animal emergencies outside of normally scheduled hours.
Collaboration/Teamwork and Engagement:
- Assist in the completion of welfare and quality of life assessments with support from Senior Animal Care Specialists and/or Supervisors as assigned.
- Work closely with all BAM staff to ensure that BAM priorities align with the Aquarium’s S.A.L.I.S.H. values, DEI values, and Regenerative programs.
- Establish cooperative and effective working relationships within BAM team and other departments to support BAM team needs or asks from others. Practice respect and reciprocity in all communications.
- Assist in the acquisition and disposition of new animals including executing safe transport, quarantine, acclimation, and introduction to habitats.
- May hold roles including Veterinary Medication Clerk, Assistant to research department staff, BAM Volunteer or Internship Coordinator, BAM Tracks Coordinator, Enrichment Committee, various Event Committees, Equity team, Morale Committee, etc.
- Observe and learn to facilitate Animal Care team aspects of special events, media, and BAM area tours as assigned.
- Ability to communicate effectively with various levels in the organization. Excellent communication skills. Learn computer skills including MS Teams applications, Excel, Word, and Tracks.
- Assists in team, department, and aquarium-wide meetings and engagements as assigned.
- Ability to aid in drills and emergencies as necessary.
- Other duties as assigned.
Organizational Values & Culture
- Participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.
- B.A./B.S. degree in biology, marine biology, or related field or various combinations of relevant experience to meet minimum requirements are considered.
- Possess a minimum of 1 year experience, preferably in an aquarium or related environment (AZA facility preferred).
- Must have or be able to obtain a Washington State Driver’s License if required to drive aquarium vehicles as assigned to participate in field work, transport animals or equipment between regional zoological facilities, or attend other staff development opportunities.
- Must be able to obtain CPR, first aid, and AED certifications as needed. Training provided.
- Must be able to swim and pass and maintain any and all required scuba diving skills and certifications as noted below in the specified diving requirements.
- Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, and steep rock work, and be harnessed with safety gear when appropriate; have a good sense of balance; and can team lift and move 50 pounds.
Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will need to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Capable of being on their feet 6+ hours/day and being active through physical motions.
- Required to work outdoors year-round, near water, in confined spaces, on wet and slippery surfaces, and at heights.
- Requires handling, working with or exposure to large, dangerous animals, animal diseases, animal feces and toxic chemicals.
Salary and benefits: $26.40 - $27.36. Dependent on experience. Please include salary expectations in your application materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.
How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, languages, cultural ways of knowing, and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.
Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.
Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.
Note: If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.
About the Seattle Aquarium: The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our team increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing excellent care and wellbeing for over 5,000 animals to create an inspiring visitor experience, offer engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.
Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.
Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 1 million people each year guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.