Position: Husbandry Senior Coordinator (Full-Time)

Facility: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada           Reports to: Director of Husbandry

Job Purpose: Ripley’s Aquariums is seeking a detail-oriented Husbandry Senior Coordinator to join our dynamic team. This role is essential to ensuring accurate animal records, water quality tracking, enrichment monitoring, welfare assessments, regulatory compliance, and laboratory management. The Husbandry Senior Coordinator plays a key role in supporting animal care teams by maintaining data integrity, collaborating across departments, assist in training support and providing actionable insights to optimize animal welfare and operations.

Please remember that due to the nature of our business, we work when others play in an attraction that is open 365 days of the year! You will be expected to be regularly available to work any shift during, before or after these hours of operation.  

Critical Accountabilities:

 Animal Database Management:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of animal transactions, including acquisitions, transfers, births, and mortalities.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly census checks.
• Manage and organize individual animal profiles to ensure completeness.
• Train new staff on TRACKS database use and conduct regular refreshers.
• Serve as the local TRACKS administrator in coordination with IT and senior managers. 

Water Quality Monitoring:

• Maintain water quality lab and inventory of testing supplies.
• Enter data promptly into daily reports and notify leadership of any deviations.
• Manage external water sample submissions and results reporting.

Enrichment Tracking:

• Recording and digitization of enrichment activities, training sessions, and behavioral observations.
• Reviewing and maintaining documentation related to animal interactions. 
• Escalating issues to senior management. 

Welfare Assessment:

• Monitoring animal welfare assessment systems.
• Assisting in scheduling, training staff on conducting and inputting quarterly assessments.
• Generating report findings for review by leadership and the Animal Welfare Committee.

Inventory & Regulatory Compliance:

• Assist with permit application packages and provide supporting collection reports.
• Supporting accreditation efforts by updating documentation and generating reports. 

Collaboration & Communication:

• Partner with aquarists, veterinarians, and leadership to share key updates and improve care practices.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• Produce reports on water quality, animal diets, welfare assessments, and more.
• Use analytics to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Animal Health Lab Management:

• Oversee inventory of medicines, supplies, and surgical equipment and maintain an accurate inventory. 
• Conduct monthly audits of controlled substances (with veterinarian verification).
• Enter all health evaluation data accurately and promptly.
• Oversee laboratory samples submissions and documentation.

Research Support:

• Provide accurate data to support Ripley’s research initiatives.

Facilities Support:

• Assist with facilities upkeep and holding to Ripley’s Aquariums high standards.

Diving Support: 

• Support the dive team by performing functions of Dive Tender, Dive Supervisor, and occasional in-water cleaning, maintenance, or dive shows.

Training Support 

• Assist in creating digital training materials and lectures to optimate staff training. 
• Perform specific training functions related to above duties. 

Special Skills and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years professional experience working with animals in a zoological or aquarium setting.
• SCUBA certification (PADI Open Water Diver equivalent or greater).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity with animal care regulations and best practices.
• Proficiency in database or animal management software (TRACKS experience preferred).

Pay Rate: $52,000.00/annually 

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is dedicated to providing an atmosphere free from barriers in order to promote equity and diversity and will ensure the full participation and advancement of members of protected groups, which include but are not limited to women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority groups, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is committed to ensuring that its hiring process is fair and equitable for all persons. 

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is committed to accessibility and to protecting the human rights of all persons in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario’s Human Rights Code. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our organization. As such, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada will provide reasonable accommodation for any applicant, as requested during the recruitment process. Please contact us at [email protected] if you require assistance with the accommodation process.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology tools (including ADP Workforce Now) to assist in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants as part of the recruitment process for this position. Please note that hiring decisions are made by department managers and human resource personnel.

Thank you for your interest in Ripley's Aquarium of Canada! Only those who were selected for an interview will be contacted further.