New England Aquarium 2 positions open

See below for a Senior Biologist Position and a Biologist I position that is available in the New England Aquarium’s Rescue Program. Please forward to anyone that might be interested and direct any questions to Kate Sardi at ksardi@neaq.org.

Position Title: Senior Biologist

Position Location: New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts

Reports to: Stranding Program Department Manager

The New England Aquarium (NEAq) is a non-profit organization that responds to stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea turtles. NEAq maintains a rehabilitation hospital on site as well as a satellite facility in Duxbury, Massachusetts. NEAq’s mission is to provide rapid response and humane care to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles and to conduct research and education, ultimately with the intention of releasing rehabilitated animals back to the wild. NEAq’s Rescue Program is one of the oldest in the country, and responds to approximately 500 reports of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles annually.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Manage marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation hospital
2. Provide husbandry and care for animals collected through the Rescue Program
3. Administer medical therapy as prescribed by veterinarians
4. Perform health assessments and medical procedures on stranded animals, including restraint and immobilization
5. Manage animal diets and medication schedules
6. Provide coverage for 24-hour stranding “hotline” as necessary
7. Coordinate field stranding response, including health assessment, collection, transport and relocation of animals

8. Conduct post mortem exams including field necropsy of marine mammals and sea turtles
9. Compile, analyze, and present stranding data at annual Northeast Region Stranding Network conference
10. Present information about the program through media interviews, press conferences, and e-mail inquiries stimulated through the website

11. Deliver public lectures about the program, marine animal natural history, and research projects to NEAq and outside audiences

12. Develop and update content for department website
13. Maintain records and data bases of:
· Daily food intake, medical condition, treatment and disposition of hospital animals
· Accession and disposition of live and dead animals collected through the Rescue Program
· Requests for research material from outside investigators and collaborators
· Tissue and specimen inventory
· Medical tests and results
14. Assist with federal reporting requirements
15. Provide proper care and maintenance of equipment in the facilities including scheduled maintenance of lab equipment and construction/maintenance of life support systems

16. Supervise and train hospital volunteers/interns in daily husbandry activities
17. Assist with management of field volunteer network, including coordination of annual training workshop
18. Assist in handling chemical and biological samples, including waste disposal
19. Perform other position-related duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine science, or zoology is preferred with a minimum of 5 years related experience or a CVT with a minimum of 5 years related experience.

Related experience should include a minimum of 3 years working with marine mammals or sea turtles in a clinical setting. Experience may be substituted for degree.

A valid Massachusetts driver’s license is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Knowledge of animal hospital setting and husbandry procedures
· Knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques
· Clinical experience with marine mammals and or sea turtles
· Previous exposure to aquariums or zoo animal medicine
· Ability to handle and restrain large animals
· Working knowledge of necropsy equipment and sampling protocols
· Strong written and verbal communication skills
· Strong leadership skills in routine and emergency situations
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Working knowledge of Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, and ACCESS software
· Working understanding of marine life support systems and equipment
· Ability to work on rough terrain during inclement weather and lift moderate weight

Physical Demands:

Applicant must be able to engage in fairly vigorous physical activity most of the day (i.e. performing husbandry duties). Energy and stamina level must be appropriate for the position. Applicant must be able to work in extreme weather conditions and for long hours, sometimes overnight. Overall must be in good physical condition and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Typical Equipment Used:

This position utilizes a variety of animal handling (stretchers, herding boards, kennels, cetacean transport containers, etc.), medical (needles, syringes, blood tubes, etc.) and sampling equipment (flensing knives, scalpels, etc.).

Please send CV or resume to Human Resources before August 11, 2008.

Human Resources

Attn: Rescue Department

New England Aquarium

Central Wharf

Boston, MA 02110

The New England Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer.

Position Title: Biologist I

Position Location: New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts

Reports to: Stranding Program Department Manager

The New England Aquarium (NEAq) is a non-profit organization that responds to stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea turtles. NEAq maintains a rehabilitation hospital on site as well as a satellite facility in Duxbury, Massachusetts. NEAq’s mission is to provide rapid response and humane care to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles and to conduct research and education, ultimately with the intention of releasing rehabilitated animals back to the wild. NEAq’s Rescue Program is one of the oldest in the country, and responds to approximately 500 reports of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles annually.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Provide husbandry and care for animals collected through the Rescue Program
2. Administer medical therapy as prescribed by veterinarians
3. Assist with and perform health assessments and medical procedures on stranded animals, including restraint and immobilization

4. Provide 24-hour stranding "hotline" coverage as necessary
5. Conduct field stranding response, including assessing animals and coordinating pick up, transport and relocation of animals

6. Assist with post mortem exams including field necropsy of marine mammals and sea turtles
7. Supervise and train hospital volunteers/interns in daily husbandry activities
8. Assist with management of field volunteer network, including coordination of annual training workshop
9. Maintain records and databases of:
· Daily food intake, medical condition, treatment and disposition of hospital animals
· Accession and disposition of live and dead animals collected through the Rescue Program
· Requests for research material from outside investigators and collaborators.
· Tissue and specimen inventory
· Medical tests and results
10. Provide proper care and maintenance of equipment, including lab equipment and life support systems
11. Maintain inventory and order supplies for Rescue Program
12. Assist in handling chemical and biological samples, including waste disposal
13. Assist with other administrative responsibilities, such as filing and general organization, as necessary

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine science, or zoology is preferred. Experience may be substituted for degree. Minimum two years experience in related field is required.

Valid Massachusetts driver’s license is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· General knowledge of biology, anatomy and animal behavior
· Basic knowledge of medical and husbandry procedures
· Ability to handle and restrain large animals
· Strong written and verbal communication skills
· Strong leadership skills in routine and emergency situations
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Working knowledge of Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, and ACCESS software
· Working understanding of marine life support systems and equipment
· Ability to work on rough terrain during inclement weather and lift moderate weight

Physical Demands:

Applicant must be able to engage in fairly vigorous physical activity most of the day (i.e. performing husbandry duties). Energy and stamina level must be appropriate for the position. Applicant must be able to work in extreme weather conditions and for long hours, sometimes overnight. Overall must be in good physical condition and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Typical Equipment Used:

This position utilizes a variety of animal handling (stretchers, herding boards, kennels, cetacean transport containers, etc.), medical (needles, syringes, blood tubes, etc.) and sampling equipment (flensing knives, scalpels, etc.).

Please send CV or resume to Human Resources before July 25, 2008.

Human Resources

Attn: Rescue Department

New England Aquarium

Central Wharf

Boston, MA 02110

The New England Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer.