My Account
Department: Living Collections
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt
Reports to: Assistant Curator of Living Collections
Location: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
NMRMA maintains a wide variety of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. The Aquarists are responsible for the husbandry of the animals owned by or entrusted to the River Museum, ensuring the upkeep of live animal exhibits and enclosures, maintaining life support systems, and other tasks related to the animal collection. Aquarists help to maintain written records, participate in continued learning about the animals, plants, and artifacts in the collection, and engage in activities related to enrichment, training, quarantine, animal welfare, nutrition, and preventative maintenance. Aquarists are expected to be able to cover all animal areas and to support team members as needed. Aquarists will be appointed to level 1, 2, or 3 as dictated by their individual experience and skill level, with 1 being entry level and 3 being highly skilled/experienced. For this role, experience with aquatic invertebrates (jellies, corals, freshwater mussels, etc.) is desired.
This is a full-time, permanent position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, flex plan, and 403b retirement plan.
Primary duties
• Act as primary caretaker for assigned exhibits, systems, and animals
o Provide daily cleaning and care for animals and life support systems
o Make daily observations of animals for health assessment
o Feed animals according to established schedules and recommend changes as necessary
o Keep all husbandry areas clean, organized, and hazard free
o Perform minor maintenance tasks
o Work safely with and around potentially hazardous chemicals and dangerous animals
o Monitor and manage water quality in assigned exhibits and holding tanks
o Maintain lighting as appropriate for the species.
o Ensure alarms and monitoring systems are set appropriately and functional
• Maintain written records in accordance with established industry and organizational practice and policy
o Ensure daily and weekly check sheets are current
o Update animal information in a database
• Participate in the construction and care of exhibit life support systems, including routine preventative maintenance on equipment
• Dive at least 12 times per year to remain an active member of the dive team
Additional duties
• Assist with the training and direction of interns, volunteers, and Aquarist Aides
• Represent the organization at regional, national, and/or international levels through participation in professional organizations and conferences
• Follow and update both Living Collections and institutional policies to keep them current
• Engage in continued learning about animals, plants, and artifacts in institutional collection.
• Serve on organizational committees
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications – Level 1
• A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in biology or related field is preferred
• Professional exposure to aquariums and/or zoos and a background related to working with living organisms
• A basic understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain living exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
• Experience with, understanding of, and aptitude for maintaining a diverse range of animals
• Be physically capable, with or without reasonable accommodations, of standing, walking, kneeling, bending, climbing, and heavy lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Demonstrate the ability to adapt quickly, show flexibility, and possess good problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate an interest in developing oneself and the animal care industry
• Be capable of dealing with emergency situations calmly and effectively
• Must be comfortable in and around water and working indoors and outdoors in any weather conditions
• Must possess or be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR
• Must possess a valid driver’s license within 3 months of hire
• Must possess or be able to obtain SCUBA certification within 6 months of hire
• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
• Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check
Qualifications – Level 2
• A superior understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain life exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
• Ability to troubleshoot most common mechanical and biological problems without assistance
• Active in professional organizations at the regional or national level
• Competent with most responsibilities within the Living Collections department
Qualifications – Level 3
• An exemplary understanding of the operation of the equipment necessary to maintain life exhibits (especially aquatic life support systems) and the basic analysis of critical water quality parameters
• Ability to troubleshoot any mechanical and biological problems without assistance
• Active in the leadership of professional organizations at the regional or national level
• Competent with all responsibilities within the Living Collections department
How to apply
To learn more, visit www.rivermuseum.org/join-our-team. Apply by emailing your resume, cover letter, salary requirements and references to apply@rivermuseum.org or by delivering them in person to 350 E. 3rd St., Dubuque, IA 52001.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery.
The Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, are committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion. We continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where our staff and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds. DEAI values guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external.
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that any applicant is able to meet all of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if you are drawn to this position and feel your strengths would be an asset to the organization, we highly encourage you to apply.
