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Aquarist I - Diving
Seattle Aquarium
Posted on May 7, 2026
Job Posting
Aquarist I – Diving
Department: Life Sciences – Fish and Invertebrate
Reports to: Supervisor, Life Sciences Team
Status: Full-time, hourly, benefitted position
Hours of Work: Sunday-Thursday workweek, 6:30am–3:30pm. Occasional need for holidays and evening work as related to events and other projects.
Position Overview
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for an Aquarist I (Diving) to carry out all aspects of the daily animal care in their assigned work area. This includes feeding, observation, training, administration of medication, medical treatment, record keeping, exhibit/habitat and field diving. The position is responsible for upholding a high level of animal care and cleaning and maintaining animal habitats and back-of-house spaces. Aquarists further the Aquarium’s mission by providing oversight and care for the animal collection.
Essential Functions: All FIT staff are responsible for the care and management of the Aquarium’s fish and invertebrate collection. This Aquarist I – diving position is responsible for the following, including but not limited to:
To work and engage others in line with the Aquarium’s Mission, D.E.I and S.A.L.I.S.H values.
- Preparing, storing and distributing food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitoring feeding habits and reporting any changes or abnormalities.
- Cleaning and performing routine maintenance and minor repair of animal habitats and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment. Maintaining water quality to keep aquatic animals in a healthy condition.
- Assisting with administration of medications and treatments according to established procedures and veterinary instructions. Providing assistance in handling or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures as necessary to ensure animal welfare.
- Maintaining records and reports regarding assigned species, including daily veterinary reports, habitat maintenance, food consumption records and other reports specific to the assigned area.
- Supervising the work of animal care volunteers, interns and temporary animal care personnel by identifying, assigning and monitoring tasks.
- Observing animals and evaluating behavior to determine physical and behavioral health and well-being.
- Assisting with animal acquisition, acclimation and quarantine.
- Using scuba and surface-supplied air systems for in-tank animal care and habitat maintenance. Position may include field diving for animals, research or other tasks.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Acting as role model for compliance with all Aquarium safety protocols.
- Assuring the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public from injury or mishap.
- Performing emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Serving as a customer service liaison through daily contacts with visitors providing information and answering questions.
- Performing other duties as assigned as appropriate for level of the role.
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.
- Must have a clear understanding of fish and invertebrate biology and technical knowledge of marine biology, water quality analysis, aquatic life support systems, and marine animal health.
- Must maintain a current and clear understanding of life support and mechanical systems for open and closed aquariums.
- Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
- Must possess strong interpersonal, collaboration and team-building skills.
- Must possess organizational skills, be self-motivated and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Must have ability to use various computer software products: MS Word, Excel and internet browsers.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.
Diving Responsibilities: Scientific Diver- This scientific diving classification allows for full participation in the Aquarium’s diving program. This includes surface-supplied and open-circuit diving and tending in Seattle Aquarium exhibits and open-circuit field diving in support of the Aquarium’s animal collecting and research goals.
- To qualify for evaluation as a Seattle Aquarium diver, candidates must meet the following general criteria:
- Possess a scuba certification to the level of rescue diver (or equivalent) from a nationally recognized certification agency.
- Possess a recent (less than 12 months) approval for recreational scuba diving signed by a physician (MD or DO).
- Successfully pass an AAUS watermanship requirements swim test.
- Pass a Seattle Aquarium scuba skills evaluation dive.
- In addition, the new staff diver candidate must complete and pass the following aquarium diver physical exam, training classes and deadlines:
- Pass a Seattle Aquarium occupational diving physical exam.
- Emergency oxygen provider training within one year of hire.
- Staff habitat diver training and evaluation within one year of hire.
- The position-defined level of scientific diver training and evaluation within one year of hire.
Experience, education and certifications: We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements.
- B.A./B.S. degree in biology, marine biology or related field an advantage.
- Minimum of one years’ experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or related environment (AZA facility preferred).
- Must have or be able to obtain a Washington state driver’s license.
- Most hold current CPR, first aid and AED certifications.
Working Conditions: Special job or environmental conditions and physical requirements (sitting for long periods, lifting (# lbs), extensive travel, overtime requirements).
- Requires handling, working with or exposure to large, dangerous animals, animal diseases, animal feces and toxic chemicals.
- 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.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Occasionally required to lift more than 50 pounds.
- Must be able to be on their feet six or more hours a day; be physically active through physical motions.
- Required to work outdoors year-round, near water, on wet and slippery surfaces and at heights.
- Must be able to swim and pass and maintain any and all required scuba diving skills and certifications, if in a diving position.
- Must have ability to use fall restraint equipment, respirators and other appropriate safety gear; may be required to work in confined spaces.
- Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays and an occasional 24-hour emergency call.
Salary and benefits: $26.00 - $26.66 per hour. 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.