At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity.
We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.
Job summary
The Aviculturist plays an internal role in supporting the institution's mission of inspiring conservation of the oceans by helping with the care of our avian collection, helping to supervise our aviculture volunteers and interns, as well as engaging our visitors. The position will be part of the aviculture team that is responsible for care of all elements of the avian animal care, including holding areas and exhibits, transports, acclimations, introductions, incubation/hand rearing, record keeping and live animal programs.
Core Activities
- Avian animal care skills, including diet preparation, animal feeding, detection of avian diseases, capture, restraints, operant conditioning, incubation, and hand-rearing
- Familiarity and ability to cover maintenance of all avian related exhibits and holdings as defined in the Animal Care Exhibit Protocols that may involve the use of SCUBA
- Provide appropriate treatment, under supervision of the veterinarian, for all birds in the Aquarium's collection and rehabilitation program
- Implementation of animal training and enrichment programs following departmental and aquarium guidelines
- Public speaking, including live animal presentations and guest interactions
- Supervise aviculture volunteers and interns
- Recordkeeping
- Other duties as needed
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
- Basic understanding of avian anatomy, behavior, animal care management, common health problems and treatments, diets and nutrition
- A minimum of one year's experience working as an aviculturist/bird keeper in a public zoo/aquarium, preference given to AZA certified facilities
- A minimum of one year's experience with operant conditioning of avian species, preference given to experience with similar species at Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Ability to work with and communicate successfully with diverse groups of Monterey Bay Aquarium staff and volunteers
- A bachelor degree in biology or related field or equivalent experience
- Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium's Core Values
- Must possess the ability to obtain a valid California driver's license and maintain clearance in the DMV
Pull Program
- SCUBA certification highly desired
- Ability to pass an occupational/scientific dive physical examination (if applicable)
- Experience with avian incubation and hand rearing, preference given to experience with similar species at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Experience with avian rehabilitation
- PC experience: MS Word, Excel Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, TRACKS
- A minimum of one years' experience with public speaking and/or visitor interpretation
- Knowledge of flora and fauna of the California central coast
- Knowledge of standard avian quarantine procedures with ability to learn and implement Monterey Bay Aquarium's specific procedures
- Acts as a resource for other Aviculture team members, husbandry staff and other department staff
- Assist in avian rehabilitation, including being a responder for Oiled Wildlife Care Network
