🌊 Senior Aquarist – SEA LIFE Orlando 🦈🐢

Lead. Dive. Inspire. Protect the ocean—every single day.

SEA LIFE Orlando is searching for an experienced, passionate Senior Aquarist to join our Displays Team and help lead animal care operations at one of Florida’s most exciting attractions 🌴🐠

This role is perfect for an aquarist who thrives on high standards, teamwork, leadership, and innovation—and who’s just as comfortable mentoring teammates as they are diving into large-scale exhibits 🤿

🐠 About the Role

As a Senior Aquarist, you’ll work closely with the Curator and Displays Supervisor to lead the day-to-day work of our animal care team, supporting Aquarists and Husbandry Assistants while ensuring outstanding animal welfare and inspiring guest experiences.

You’ll be a key connector—acting as a liaison between leadership and frontline staff—helping organize workloads, share best practices, and ensure the team has the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. You’ll also collaborate with Senior Aquarists across SEA LIFE attractions to brainstorm, problem-solve, and maintain consistency company-wide 🌍

This is a full-time, benefited position with growth, leadership, and impact at its core.

🧭 Key Responsibilities

🐟 Leadership & Team Support

✨ Assist the Displays Supervisor in guiding the Displays Team to deliver exceptional daily husbandry
✨ Serve as a role model for professionalism, work ethic, and SEA LIFE values
✨ Support training, mentoring, and development of Aquarists and Husbandry Assistants
✨ Lead daily tasks and meetings when leadership is absent (without direct supervision duties)

🐢 Animal Care & Welfare

❤️ Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare across all marine, freshwater, reptile, and amphibian exhibits
📋 Maintain and oversee accurate records for animal care, diving, water quality, and health
🚚 Assist with animal transports, quarantine, disease diagnosis, treatments, and vet rounds
🧠 Educate team members on disease recognition, medication calculations, and husbandry best practices

🧪 Life Support Systems (LSS) & Water Quality

💧 Monitor and manage water quality parameters across all exhibits
🧰 Maintain, troubleshoot, and teach others about filtration systems, protein skimmers, UV, ozone, reactors, and plumbing
🛠️ Assist in designing, building, repairing, and improving aquarium life support systems
📊 Ensure chemistries are within range and work with leadership when corrective action is needed

🤿 Diving & Exhibit Maintenance

🌊 Perform and lead SCUBA diving operations in large-scale exhibits (200,000+ gallons!)
🦈 Dive with sharks, rays, turtles, and more in closed environments
🧼 Support underwater cleaning, maintenance, animal collections, and guest dive shows
🧳 Maintain company-issued dive gear and diver areas to SEA LIFE standards

🎤 Guest Experience, Education & Conservation

🎓 Support Animal Ambassador and Education programs
🎤 Present confidently to guests, media, and professional audiences
🌱 Champion conservation initiatives and help develop new conservation projects
🌍 Inspire guests through engaging storytelling and world-class displays

🎓 Background, Experience & Qualifications

🧠 Experience

✔ Minimum 5 years of professional aquarium experience
✔ At least 1 year in a leadership/lead-of-the-day role
✔ Experience with diverse taxa including fish, invertebrates, elasmobranchs, reptiles, amphibians, and more
✔ Strong background in water quality, life support systems, and animal health

🤿 Dive Requirements

✔ Open Water SCUBA certification required
✔ Rescue Diver certification preferred (or ability to obtain)
✔ 1–2 years diving in public aquarium exhibits (70,000+ gallons preferred)
✔ Ability to pass swim test, dive physical, and obtain First Aid/CPR/AED/DAN O₂

🎓 Education

🎓 B.A./B.S. in Life Sciences or accredited aquarium/zoological program required

🦺 Health, Safety & Compliance

🛡️ Ensure compliance with AZA, USDA, and Merlin Health & Safety standards
📘 Assist with SOP development, risk assessments, and safety training
🚨 Ensure accurate incident reporting and proactive risk management

💪 Work Environment & Schedule

⏰ Flexible schedule required (weekends, holidays, evenings)
🌡️ Work in wet, variable-temperature environments
🏋️ Lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks throughout full shifts
📞 On-call emergency response may be required

🌟 Why Join SEA LIFE Orlando?

Because here, you don’t just care for animals—you lead, innovate, inspire, and protect the ocean while shaping the next generation of aquarists 💙🌊

🎉 Benefits of Joining Merlin Entertainments! 🎉

🏥 Excellent Health Care Options: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
🌴 Outstanding Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy well-deserved breaks to recharge!
🎢 Merlin Magic Pass: Free entry for friends and family to our amazing parks & attractions. 🎡
🏆 Recognition Programs and Rewards: Celebrate your achievements and hard work!
💼 401(k) Program: Save for the future with company matching contributions.
📚 Tuition Reimbursement Programs: Get support for further education and career growth.
🚀 Numerous Learning and Advancement Opportunities: Grow your skills and advance your career with us!
Ready to be a part of the magic? Apply today and start your adventure with Merlin Entertainments! 🌟✨