Vice President of Animal Care and Wellbeing

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is hiring a Vice President of Animal Care and Wellbeing. The VP leads animal care, animal health and wellbeing, animal rescue, behavioral husbandry and dive safety, supervises the leaders of each, and advises the SVP and Chief Mission Officer on animal care and welfare priorities. The Aquarium is a nonprofit founded in 1981 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More than 1.2 million people visit each year.

What you will do

• Lead and develop the leaders of Animal Care, Animal Health and Wellbeing, Animal Rescue, Behavioral Husbandry and Dive Safety, including succession planning
• Set and evaluate animal welfare practices across the institution from documented assessments, and make sure concerns get recorded decisions and corrective action
• Oversee Animal Rescue and Dive Safety, including operating standards, staff readiness, risk management and incident review
• Develop and update the Aquarium's long-range animal plan, which supports animal wellbeing, species and habitat conservation, population sustainability and education, and plan new exhibits with the Planning and Design Department
• Keep animal care, health, rescue and dive safety in line with federal and state rules and AZA standards, and work with the Vice President of Facilities, Environmental Quality and Water Science on water quality, life support and facility risks
• Manage the related budgets, and support fundraising and public programs

Requirements

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in accredited zoos or aquariums, with significant senior leadership of animal care and welfare functions and experience leading managers or senior specialists
• A bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, zoology, psychology, animal behavior, veterinary science or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred
• Knowledge of animal care and welfare, nutrition, veterinary practice and how water quality and life support systems affect animals
• A record of improving welfare assessment practices and keeping an institution ready for AZA accreditation
• A Maryland driver's license or the ability to get one; SCUBA certification is a plus

Full-time and on-site at Pier 3, 501 E. Pratt St., and the Aquarium's site at 901 E. Fayette St. in Baltimore. The salary range is $118,000 to $165,499 a year (requisition VICEP002145).

Applications go through the National Aquarium careers site.