Animal Rescue Technician (Part Time)

PART TIME POSITION (4 days per week)

JOB SUMMARY: Consistently exhibit excellent representation of the aquarium through a positive, energetic, and teamwork-focused work ethic.

Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program responds to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles along the coastlines of CT, RI, and Fisher’s Island, NY. The Animal Rescue Technician will work 4 days per week and will be responsible for assisting the Animal Rescue Program Manager with the execution of duties associated with the aquarium's Animal Rescue Program. These duties include but are not limited to: rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, maintenance of all rehabilitation facilities, hotline coverage and coordinating responses to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, assisting with the management of volunteer and internship programs, participate in conservation initiatives and research projects, and maintenance of stranding records and databases.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with marine mammals and/or sea turtles preferred.
• A basic understanding of stranded marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation preferred.
• Experience with restraint and treatment of wild marine mammals and sea turtles preferred.
• Experience with public speaking and outreach and/or teaching preferred.
• Must be able to work outdoors in harsh weather conditions (hot, cold, wet).
• Must be able/willing to assist in animal necropsies; necropsy experience preferred.
• Strong communication (oral and written) and Microsoft Office computer skills required.
• Must have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and accept feedback.
• Valid driver's license and a good driving record required.
• Must be physically able to execute the work of the position, including ability to lift 50 lbs., climb stairs/ladders, squat and kneel, bend, and reach.
• Flexibility with work schedule is essential as evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be required.
• Multilingual, esp. Spanish speaking, preferred.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Staff a 24-hour hotline for reports of marine mammals and sea turtles in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Fishers Island, NY.
• Coordinate field response and/or rescue of marine mammals and sea turtles
• Assist with oversight of daily operations of the rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, including providing animal care and facility maintenance.
• Collect Level-A data and specimens in the field and assist with carcass disposal, when necessary.
• Compile and report Level-A data to NOAA Fisheries in a timely manner.
• Perform accurate data entry into the Mystic Aquarium and NOAA Fisheries databases for all reported sightings and strandings.
• Maintain life support systems.
• Assist with management of volunteers and with First Responder volunteer training.
• Assist in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) opportunities within the program.
• Mentor first responders, interns, and volunteers, as requested.
• Assist in necropsy examinations at the Aquarium and in the field including, but not limited to, clean-up and waste management.
• Assist with the release of rehabilitated marine mammals and sea turtles.
• Assist with education and outreach programs and fostering community engagement.
• Assist with writing and implementing new standard operating procedures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Safety/Security

• Work in a safe manner at all times.
• Properly use and keep, in good order, all personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied to them as protection from recognized hazards.
• Report any unsafe condition.
• Must have a working knowledge of all facility-wide and department-specific safety procedures that relate to their position, including but not limited to: Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown Procedure, and Fire Extinguisher Use.

Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (dba Mystic Aquarium) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Women and underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.