Animal Care Specialist

Company: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Location: Clearwater
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Specialist - Pinnipeds REPORTS TO: Animal Care Program Supervisor SUPERVISES: Animal Care Volunteers and Interns EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT: Non-exempt ON-SITE, REMOTE, OR HYBRID: On-Site PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: THIS POSITION IS FOR PINNIPEDS NOT DOLPHINS although there may be some cross over - YOU MUST HAVE PINNIPED EXPERIENCE. The Animal Care Specialist for Pinnipeds will support the goals and objectives of the Animal Care Department by performing the responsibilities including but not limited to the following standards of operations and care as identified in this position description. Provide the highest possible daily healthcare to the CMA animal population. Maintain and advance animal training with all animals in the CMA population. Maintain, create, implement and condition environmental enrichment devices. Ensure proper husbandry equipment is maintained. Perform educational and entertaining presentations. Conduct fun and educational animal interaction programs. Prepare daily animal diets. Maintain sanitary areas for food preparation and storage. Collect and record accurate animal data. Assess animal behavior and health daily and report any anomalies to the department manager. Ensure a high standard of guest service is carried out. Maintain a flexible work schedule and adapt to shifting priorities. Be familiar with and ensure all duties are to be performed in accordance with departmental and CMA policies and procedures The Animal Care Specialist will work with CMA management to support the mission, vision and values of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The will also work with CMA management to support and participate in departmental plans and projects, enhance team knowledge and advance techniques. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: At least 2 years experience with marine mammals and at least 1 year experience with Pinnipeds - Harbor Seals and Sea Lions preferred. Provide the best care possible to the animal collection Follow safe policies and provide a safe working environment for animals, team members and guests Strong communication skills with clear, friendly, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication Great problem solving and time-management skills with ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks at once Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities Notice areas of improvement and present creative solutions to management Demonstrate ability to maintain previously established animal behavior - priority experience with pinnipeds Demonstrate ability to effectively shape, approximate and complete trained behaviors with all animals in the marine mammal collection - priority experience with pinnipeds Demonstrate ability to develop, condition and implement enrichment with all marine animals in the collection - priority experience with pinnipeds Continue to develop animal training skills while maintaining and improving animal behavior Develop ability to troubleshoot during atypical situations Demonstrate proper use of training terminology Increase (personal and animal collection) behavioral repertoire working with mentor and/or animal point person Research species specific enrichment and present ideas and information to Senior Enrichment Coordinator Demonstrate the ability to assist other team members with their animal related goals and challenges Demonstrate the ability to conduct safe, educational and fun animal interaction programs - priority experience with pinnipeds Recognize precursors and respond appropriately to animal aggression Mentor, guide and coach personnel within the department Develop knowledge of proper husbandry procedures applicable to the position, i.e. hydration, gastric collection, fecal collection, weight, etc. Assist with animal husbandry procedures including those involving restraint or the use of a net - priority experience with pinnipeds Must have an understanding of proper net, gating and separation techniques Ensure proper administer medications to all animals as prescribed by the veterinarian Prioritize human and animal safety as it pertains to exhibit doors and locks Advanced swim test is required for this position Responsible for entering the water to scan and remove any foreign objects that could injure our resident animals or team members – this may include standing on the pool ledge/rocks or diving Maintain animal habitats to highest standard outlined by USDA, ensuring that aesthetics as well as function are a primary focus Help develop the skills of Associate Animal Care Specialists and Animal Care Volunteers and Interns Learn USDA regulations pertaining to the Animal Care Department and assist in USDA walkthroughs Demonstrate proficiency in public speaking to provide guests with educational and entertaining presentations and interactions Carry out CMA’s mission, vision and values Maintain good working relationships with all internal and external entities, including but not limited to staff, volunteers, interns and guests. Unsupervised execution of opening and closing procedures Assist with tours, education programs and public relations or marketing events as assigned Complete training in safety programs including but not limited to: Swim Test, Scuba certification, CPR certification, First Aid and dive safety Ability to work flexible schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays Perform other duties as workload necessitates included but not limited to Enrichment Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Intern Coordinator and Research Demonstrate efficiency in computer related tasks or assignments, including but not limited to data entry, MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook Assist with grant writing as needed Assist with research projects as needed Assist with creating ways to fund projects Assist at offsite rehabilitation facilities with animal rehab - bird, cetacean, pinniped and otter necessary Assist with in house sea turtle procedures adhering to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) Marine Turtle permits held by CMA, upon request EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Minimum 24 months’ paid experience at Associate Animal Care Specialist level or equivalent at CMA or at another facility and 1 year of pinniped experience Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, a related field, or equivalent experience preferred. Possess a valid SCUBA certification. Free diving experience required. Current CPR/First Aid Certification preferred Ability to pass an advanced swim test within 90 days of hire PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work long hours in extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to; extreme heat, cold, high humidity, direct sunlight, rain, wind, and other outdoor conditions. - Daily Able to routinely perform physically demanding work. Daily Additional requirements include but are not limited to: Pass swim test – Annually Lift up to 50lbs to waist level - Frequently Lift up to 20lbs to shoulders and above head – Frequently Walk/stand for long periods of time - Frequently Maneuver safely on uneven terrain or in tight spaces - Frequently Safely climb ladders when needed – Frequently Squat, bend, kneel, twist and reach - Frequently Reach above the shoulders - Frequently Push and pull larger equipment – Frequently Work outdoors in all weather conditions and adapt to changing weather – Frequently Work indoors, under cover without air conditioning or heat – Frequently The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required. All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.

Keywords: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Kissimmee , Animal Care Specialist, Science, Research & Development , Clearwater, Florida