Assistant Curator of Mammals & Birds at The Living Planet Aquarium – Draper, Utah

Position: Assistant Curator of Mammals and Birds

Reports To: Curator of Mammals and Birds

Compensation: Starting at $58,000

Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs—perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world—including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center opening, the Aquarium is the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact

Position Summary

The Assistant Curator of Mammals and Birds is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for the daily operational excellence of the Mammals and Birds departments. This role bridges the gap between high-level collection strategy and daily husbandry execution. The ideal candidate ensures the highest standards of animal welfare, staff safety, and guest engagement while fostering a culture of professional development and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Staff Leadership & Operational Management

· Direct Supervision: Oversee daily activities of the Mammals and Birds teams, ensuring all husbandry, enrichment, and training protocols are executed safely and efficiently.

· Personnel Development: Conduct performance evaluations, provide consistent coaching, and identify professional growth opportunities for animal care staff.

· Scheduling: Manage complex staffing rotations to ensure 365-day coverage, including holidays.

· Safety Leadership: Serve as a primary lead for the Dangerous Animal Response Team and ensure all staff are trained in emergency protocols and OSHA safety standards.

2. Excellence in Animal Welfare & Husbandry

· Program Oversight: Manage the daily implementation of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment programs, ensuring they are goal-oriented and documented.

· Welfare Monitoring: Lead the team in conducting regular, science-based animal welfare assessments and implementing corrective actions based on findings.

· Nutrition & Health: Work closely with the Veterinary Team to monitor animal health, manage diet transitions, and oversee medical treatments.

3. Institutional & AZA Compliance

· Record Keeping: Ensure meticulous data entry into ZIMS (Species360), including medical, behavioral, and taxonomic records.

· SOP Development: Draft and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the department remains at the forefront of modern zoological practices.

· Regulatory Readiness: Maintain "inspection-ready" habitats and holding areas at all times in accordance with AZA, USDA, and state wildlife regulations.

· SSP/TAG Participation: Support the Curator in communicating with AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP) and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG) regarding transfers and breeding recommendations.

4. Interdepartmental Collaboration

· Project Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for other LLPA departments regarding habitat maintenance and water quality.

· Guest Experience: Collaborate with the Education and Marketing teams to ensure public presentations and "keeper talks" are accurate, engaging, and support the institution’s conservation mission.

Qualifications

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, or a related field.

· Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional zoological setting, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.

· Technical Skills: Proficiency in ZIMS, Microsoft Office Suite, and experience with avian/mammalian restraint and transport.

Critical Competencies

· General knowledge of all animal phylum and their characteristics and habits.

· Ability to remain resilient and "think on your feet" within an ever-evolving institution.

· Skilled at identifying problems and changing course quickly to prioritize animal welfare and LLPA community impact.

· Proactive in adapting to new organizational standards and departmental shifts at LLPA.

· Ability to successfully manage the animal collection.

· Understand exhibit design and construction.

· Recognize any deficiencies in habitat or animal holding facilities.

· Ability to prioritize issues affecting animals and staff.

· Basic knowledge of veterinary procedures and vaccinations.

· Knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of zoo record keeping methods and collection management standards. Working knowledge of ZIMS.

· Possess excellent communication skills. Must be able to give and take direction: both verbally and written.

· Efficiency, good time management, and a passion for staff mentorship and development.

· Ability to multi-task as well as delegate.

· Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including weekdays, weekends, holidays and evenings.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

· Valid Utah driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.

· Preferred Open water dive certification (PADI or NAUI) or higher or ability to acquire dive certification within the first 6 months of hire.

· Must possess or be willing to obtain current, negative TB test results.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

· Sitting, standing, climbing, swimming, and carrying intermittent weights of up to 50 lbs.

· Hot, cold, humid, and wet environments

· Driving Aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.

· Ladders, elevated platforms, enclosed spaces and uneven surfaces.

· Hours and availability: This is a salaried position calculated at 40 hours per week; Position is responsible for ensuring on-call support for after-hours emergencies, weekends, and holiday coverage.

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.