Ocean Job Board
0
Organizations
0
Jobs
Animal Care Specialist II or Senior Animal Care Specialist
USD 28.5-32.25 / hour
Posted on Jun 24, 2026
Job Posting
Animal Care Specialist II or Senior Animal Care Specialist
Department: Birds and Mammals
Reports to: Supervisor of Birds & Mammals
Status: Full-time, hourly, benefitted position
Hours of Work: Sunday- Thursday work week from ~7:00 - 3:30pm. Occasional need for weekend or after-hours work as related to events and other projects.
Position Overview
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for either an Animal Care Specialist II (ACS II) or Senior Animal Care Specialist (Senior ACS) to join the Birds and Mammals team. Applicants need only apply once. The role will be 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 a clear (ACS II) or in-depth (Senior ACS) understanding of bird and marine mammal biology, water quality parameters/analysis, aquatic life-support systems, and marine and aquatic animal health. Specific to the Senior level, the position requires staff members to have a strong interest and skillset in mentoring to aid in the growth of Animal Care Specialists I and II.
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:
Animal Care and Husbandry
The Animal Care Specialist II or Senior Animal Care Specialist will support the daily care, wellbeing, and behavioral management of the Aquarium’s bird and mammal collection. Responsibilities include:
- Perform daily animal care operations for the Birds and Mammals team, including diet preparation and monitoring, habitat care, habitat maintenance, and other routine husbandry tasks.
- Serve as an Assistant Lead or Lead for assigned species and habitats at the ACS II level, or as Lead at the Senior ACS level. This includes adjusting diets, monitoring animal weights, coordinating behavioral training goals with the Curator, Supervisors, and Veterinary team, advocating for animal and habitat needs, and training staff in standards of care.
- Apply operant conditioning techniques with an emphasis on positive reinforcement, including maintaining established behaviors, shaping new behaviors, and problem-solving behavioral management needs. Senior ACS staff are expected to plan for, apply, and mentor others in these techniques.
- Observe and evaluate animal behavior to support physical and behavioral health and wellbeing.
- Comply with all standard operating procedures, husbandry manuals, and Aquarium Species Programmatic Manuals for species and animal facilities managed by the Birds and Mammals team. ACS II staff may assist with updates; Senior ACS staff are expected to teach and reinforce these standards.
- Participate in, design, implement, offer, evaluate, and document behavioral enrichment opportunities that encourage natural behavior. Senior ACS staff are expected to coach others in this work.
- Maintain accurate records and reports, including veterinary reports, habitat maintenance documentation, food consumption records, and other assigned reporting.
- Administer basic and challenging medications according to established procedures and veterinary instructions.
- Lead and/or participate in animal handling or restraint using established safety procedures to support animal welfare, with Senior ACS staff expected to be able to lead these efforts.
- Maintain familiarity with the Animal Welfare Act, USDA/APHIS regulations, and AZA accreditation standards. Assist with inspection preparation as assigned, with Senior ACS staff expected to lead efforts as necessary.
- Submit work orders, share technical knowledge as appropriate, and communicate habitat needs to Facilities and Engineering staff.
- Order Birds and Mammals team supplies as assigned.
- Interpret natural history and conservation topics for guests in formal and informal settings, including microphone presentations when needed.
- Provide occasional response to animal emergencies during scheduled shifts or outside normally scheduled hours as needed.
Collaboration, Teamwork, and Engagement
- Establish and maintain cooperative, respectful, and effective working relationships within the Birds and Mammals team and across departments.
- Support Birds and Mammals team priorities in alignment with the Aquarium’s S.A.L.I.S.H. values, DEI values, and Regenerative programs.
- Provide training and support to staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned, including husbandry, habitat maintenance and safety tasks, interactive animal-guest experiences and tours, recordkeeping, animal training, welfare assessments, and quality-of-life assessments.
- Participate in or lead welfare and quality-of-life assessments, with support from Senior Animal Care Specialists and/or Supervisors as needed.
- Contribute to animal acquisition and disposition processes, including safe transport, quarantine, acclimation, and habitat introductions. Senior ACS staff may coordinate and execute this work in partnership with the Curator and Supervisors.
- Support or manage Animal Care team aspects of special events, media opportunities, and Birds and Mammals area tours, depending on position level.
- Communicate effectively with staff at various levels of the organization and use tools including Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word, and Tracks.
- Participate in team, department, and Aquarium-wide meetings and engagements.
- Participate in drills and urgent situations as needed. ACS II staff may practice leading these efforts; Senior ACS staff may take a lead role.
- May hold assigned roles such as Veterinary Medication Clerk, research support, Birds and Mammals Volunteer or Internship Coordinator, Birds and Mammals Tracks Coordinator, Enrichment Committee member, Event Committee member, Equity team member, Morale Committee member, or other assigned roles.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Senior ACS Additional Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities above, the Senior Animal Care Specialist will:
- Provide supportive mentorship and training to Birds and Mammals staff, interns, and volunteers.
- Coach Animal Care Specialists I and II, interns, and volunteers in husbandry, habitat maintenance and safety, guest experiences and tours, recordkeeping, animal training, enrichment, welfare assessments, and quality-of-life assessments.
- Support Supervisors with delegation of work among the team as needed.
- Work closely with the Curator and Supervisors to ensure staff and volunteer training aligns with Birds and Mammals priorities, S.A.L.I.S.H. values, DEI values, and Regenerative programs.
- Act as the lead staff member and point of contact for daily Birds and Mammals animal care operations when the Curator or Supervisors are not on-site.
- Take a lead role in drills and emergencies as necessary.
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.
- Demonstrated experience in animal care within an aquarium, zoological, wildlife, rehabilitation, or related environment, preferably in an AZA-accredited facility.
- Animal Care Specialist II: Minimum of 3 years of relevant animal care experience, preferably with progressively responsible duties.
- Senior Animal Care Specialist: Minimum of 4 years of relevant animal care experience, preferably with progressively responsible duties, plus demonstrated mentorship experience.
- Working knowledge of bird and/or marine mammal biology, animal health, water quality parameters and analysis, aquatic life-support systems, and behavioral husbandry.
- Ability to apply sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail in daily animal care, welfare assessment, safety practices, and emergency response.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff, interns, volunteers, cross-departmental partners, and the public.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and use tools such as Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word, and Tracks.
- Commitment to working in alignment with the Aquarium’s mission, S.A.L.I.S.H. values, DEI values, and Regenerative programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine biology, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education.
Working Conditions:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Must be able to swim.
- Requires handling, working with or exposure to large, dangerous animals, animal diseases, animal feces and toxic chemicals.
- 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.
Salary and benefits: ACS II $28.50 per hour/ Senior ACS $30-$32.25 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.