These expansion plans are creating a significant increase in career opportunities for qualified people with a wide range of skills, education, and experience.
Some of the departments anticipated to have job openings include, but are not limited to, finance, development, animal husbandry, education, conservation, design, maintenance, research, public relations, food services, visitor services, and retail sales. Those interested in working for the New England Aquarium should send a resume and cover letter indicating a specific interest or position applied for to:
Associate Director, Human Resources
New England Aquarium
Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110-3399
The New England Aquarium requests that job applicants do not telephone. Job openings are regularly listed in the newspaper and through the professional associations.
Sample Jobs at the New England Aquarium
These job positions are presented here to give you an idea of the type of work available at the New England Aquarium and the qualifications you would need to be considered. It is by no means an inclusive list.
ASSISTANT TRAINER
Department: Marine Mammals
Reports to: Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals
Hours: 40 hours, weekdays, weekends, holidays
Qualifications: Minimum high school graduate; B.A./B.S. in psychology or animal behavior preferred. A minimum of six months' experience handling/caring for marine mammals. Scuba certification required.
Responsibilities: Responsible for the husbandry, training, and public presentations of sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. Provides daily care for animals and facility. Trains specific behaviors according to the department's acceptable methods and guidelines for training. Provides public presentations of the animals. Interacts with the public in a professional and respectful manner. Relays all changes in method, techniques, and handling of animals.
TRAINER/SENIOR TRAINER
Department: Marine Mammals
Reports to: Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals
Hours: 40 hours, weekdays, weekends, holidays
Qualifications: Minimum high school graduate; B.A./B.S. in psychology or animal behavior preferred. Minimum one year experience handling/training marine mammals including sea otters. Scuba certification required.
Responsibilities: Responsible for the husbandry, training, and public presentations of sea lions, seals, and sea otters. Offers creative input for programs of animal care, public presentations, facility modifications and design. Acts as liaison for marine mammal and vet services departments. Demonstrates an understanding of basic training techniques and reinforcement schedules. Demonstrates an understanding of food fish ordering and purchasing process. Participates in basic outreach programs such as career day. Demonstrates a general knowledge of discovery life support systems.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Department: Education
Reports to: Program Developer
Hours: 20 hours per week (flexible; potentially some evenings)
Qualifications: Experience with all or some of the following areas: museum education, marine biology, exhibit development, formative evaluation of exhibits or educational materials, graphic design, illustration, three-dimensional design and construction, and computer skills. Ability to work with school groups, families, and adult visitors to solicit ideas on exhibit prototypes. Strong office organization skills and ability to conduct phone and library research. Ability to handle multiple projects, work independently and with a team, work in high-paced environment, and meet dead-lines. Ability to copy edit and proofread written materials.
Responsibilities: Conduct background research for the Georges Bank exhibit, including library and phone research, construction of prototypes, and involvement in the formation and evaluation of prototypes for Georges Bank. Will be responsible for the day-today aspects of office organization, including proofreading, sending out correspondence, ordering materials, filing, and other clerical tasks. Depending on the candidate's background, other responsibilities may include the physical design and fabrication of prototypes, photography, writing preliminary text, testing of prototypes, and graphic design and layout.
