Aquarium Dive Volunteer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Diving Safety Officer and aquarium biologists, this position will be responsible for the feeding of live vertebrates and invertebrates, delivery of public programs, cleaning and maintenance of iconic exhibits, surface tending divers and other tasks while diving using surface-supplied air from S.C.U.B.A. Volunteers will be asked to dive in the Coral Reef, Reef Lagoon, California Coast, Flooded Amazon Rainforest, and other tanks as assigned. May participate in the collection of local specimens, animal transportation and maintenance of records. Must be available to dive in teams on weekdays and weekends depending upon assigned day. Must be reliable and have a means to get to and from the California Academy of Sciences located in Golden Gate Park.

In addition, volunteers will receive training in the natural history and ecology of vertebrates and invertebrates that they may work with. This training is designed to bolster their basic knowledge, improve safety and help them support the California Academy of Sciences' mission through interaction with the public, raising awareness of conservation and stewardship of the environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the general maintenance of fresh and salt water aquariums under the supervision of the Diving Safety officer as well as Steinhart Aquarium biologists.
• Provide daily husbandry care and animal maintenance including animal feedings, health monitoring and environmental sampling.
• Assist in animal treatments and procedures as required.
• May assist in the acquisition of living specimens for the collection including collecting trips for display specimens and feeding purposes.
• Assist in the design and preparation of new display environments and exhibits.
• Follow all Academy safety regulations.
• Delivery of programs to the general public.
• Interact with visitors, the media and the general public in a professional manner

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Current Open Water I dive certificate from a recognized certification agency such as Naui, PADI or SSI required.
• Current Rescue Diver certificate from a recognized certification agency such as Naui, PADI or SSI required.
• Current First Aid and CPR certificate required.
• Current physical within two years and documentation from personal physician showing fitness to dive.
• Must have current chest X-ray showing that no punctures or other damage to the lungs exists.
• Documentation of current tetanus shot.
• Must have a minimum of 40 ocean dives logged.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
• Work with or adjacent to venomous and dangerous animals.
• Must be able to perform rigorous or physically strenuous exercise while underwater.

Aquarium Laboratory Volunteer

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Perform chemical analysis of water systems
• Assist in animal treatment
• Assist in necropsies
• Assist in care of laboratory animals
• Maintain laboratory and laboratory instruments
• Maintain laboratory records and files
• Follow all Academy safety regulations
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Working towards or completed a Registered Veterinarian Technician certification, an Associate's degree, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Oceanography or a related field of study.
• Any Veterinary or Laboratory experience that demonstrates increased learning and responsibilities may be substituted for the degree or certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to complete all required safety and chemical trainings required for the Laboratory
• Knowledge of chemistry and biology
• Knowledge of standard scientific instruments
• Interest in animal husbandry
• Ability to effectively convey information to visitors and the general public
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Experience with exotic animals, aquarium fishes, invertebrates, amphibians and/or reptiles is desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good organizational and problem solving skills
• Flexibility with regard to assignments
• Able to work with minimum supervision

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or employees of organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must not be color blind
• Able to work in humid areas without natural light
• Considerable standing and walking
• Must be able to climb stairs

Penguin Volunteer

POSITION SUMMARY:
Volunteer provides general husbandry care and support for the Steinhart Aquarium´s African Penguin colony as assigned. Cleans display, monitors animal health, makes frequent daily rounds, reports suspected animal or water quality problems to the Aquatic Biologist responsible for the penguin colony, maintains accurate records, provides animal husbandry needs as assigned, may participate in animal transportation and shipments, may participate in penguin quarantine or penguin chick rearing. Work schedules could include weekends and holidays.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the general maintenance of penguin salt water aquarium, bird display, penguin quarantine, penguin sun pen and holding systems (including both open and closed systems)
• Provide daily husbandry care and animal maintenance including animal feedings, health monitoring and environmental sampling
• Assist in animal treatments and procedures as required
• Provide backup and support for areas assigned
• Actively seek further training with penguin biology and life history
• Follow all Academy safety regulations.
• May present programs to the general public
• Answer questions from the general public through a variety of means
• Interact with visitors and the general public in a professional manner
• Other duties of a similar scope and nature as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Working towards or completed Associate's degree/Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Oceanography or a related field of study.
• Volunteer/professional work experience with exotic animals or in a major zoological display, rehabilitation facility or culture facility that demonstrates increased learning and responsibilities may be substituted for the degree.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Basic knowledge of essential animal requirements.
• Knowledge of natural animal habitats.
• Excellent observation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to seek further training in animal husbandry.
• Ability to present programs and effectively convey information to visitors and the general public.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Working knowledge of open and closed aquarium life support systems.
• Working knowledge of husbandry requirements for animal species typical to an aquarium or zoological display facility.

ADDITIONAL DESIREABLE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of personal computers.
• Experience with scientific research projects.
• Experience with educational practices.
• SCUBA certified.
• Experience with exotic animals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before visitors and general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by a volunteer to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to swim.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, work in a humid space around water and pool safely.
• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
• Work with or adjacent to venomous and dangerous animals.
• Must be respectful to animals contained in displays.
• Required documentation of receipt of tetanus shot within the last 10 years.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN 2008!

• Meet, greet and direct visitors from around the world.
• Help pre-school children and their families learn about science in the Early Childhood area
• Organize an office; hone technical skills in all departments
• Catalogue books, stamps, and journals
• Provide information and programs at the Naturalist Center
• Inspire school groups; lead docent tours