Aquarist

As an Aquarist at SEA LIFE Brighton, your primary responsibilities will include maintaining high standards of animal husbandry, overseeing daily operations of aquatic displays, ensuring cleanliness and safety, and collaborating on the transportation and quarantine of aquatic life. You'll also be involved in developing exciting new exhibits for our guests, making this an engaging role that blends care and creativity.

To become an Aquarist at SEA LIFE Brighton, it’s ideal to have experience in the aquarium industry, along with a degree or equivalent in a relevant field. A strong background in aquatic animal husbandry is essential. Additionally, a PADI Rescue Diver qualification or above is desirable for this role.

The work schedule for an Aquarist at SEA LIFE Brighton is full-time, comprising 40 hours per week on a rota basis. This includes working on weekends and bank holidays. Additionally, you may need to be on-site after hours and participate in a call-out rota.

Aquarists at SEA LIFE Brighton enjoy comprehensive benefits, including 25 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), discounts in retail shops and restaurants, and an annual Merlin Magic Pass that allows free entry to attractions worldwide. Additional perks include employee pricing for cinema tickets and special days off for volunteering.

SEA LIFE Brighton is committed to the career development of its Aquarists by offering opportunities to collaborate on innovative projects, participate in conservation efforts, and develop engaging exhibits. The team atmosphere encourages personal growth and skill enhancement, helping you achieve your career goals.

When answering this question, express your passion for aquatic life and how it relates to your experiences. Share specific moments or interests that have driven you toward this career path and what aspects of being an Aquarist excite you most.

Provide detailed examples of your previous roles related to animal husbandry, highlighting specific species you've worked with and the systems you've managed. Discuss the importance of ethical care and how you ensure consistent standards for animal health.

Reflect on your experience, emphasizing calmness under pressure and quick decision-making. Provide a specific example of a past situation, your response to it, and the outcome. Highlighting your problem-solving skills will be beneficial.

Discuss your approach to developing educational materials or interactive experiences for guests. Share experiences where you’ve successfully engaged visitors, emphasizing creativity and communication skills.

Mention specific journals, organizations, or conferences you follow to keep your knowledge current. Discuss your commitment to continuous learning and personal development within the field of aquatic science.

Illustrate how crucial teamwork is in maintaining high standards of animal care and exhibit development. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues in the past to achieve common goals.

Share an engaging account of a project where you applied creativity to solve a problem or enhance guest presentation. Focus on your thought process, the project's goals, the challenges faced, and its impact.

Explain a systematic approach for identifying, assessing, and addressing health issues in aquatic animals. Discuss collaboration with veterinary professionals and any relevant record-keeping protocols you would follow.

Define conservation in your own words and explain its importance. Discuss ways you'd engage both staff and guests in conservation efforts and how you'd integrate educational aspects into everyday aquarium operations.

Share your time management strategies and how you would balance routine maintenance tasks with urgent priorities. Emphasize the importance of being organized and adaptable while maintaining high care standards.