Animal Care Team Specialist - Aquarist

What you'll bring to the team

Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary and Puffin Rescue Centre is looking for an aquarist who genuinely loves fish and cold-water marine life. This role is hands-on, day-to-day care for our aquarium department, with a focus on husbandry, water quality, and creating displays that are as engaging for guests as they are healthy for the animals. You'll also lend a hand with our puffins when needed. 

 

Responsibilities:

· Daily Animal Care: Feed, clean, and monitor the health and behaviour of animals across our aquarium department, and quarantine, following established husbandry protocols.

· Water Quality & LSS Maintenance: Monitor and adjust water quality parameters, carry out routine maintenance and troubleshooting on life support systems (filtration, pumps, chillers, protein skimmers, etc.).

· Display Design & Enrichment: Take an active, creative role in designing and refreshing tank displays and aquascapes - arranging substrate, rockwork, and planting to create naturalistic, visually engaging habitats that support animal welfare and captivate visitors.

· Undertake daily animal welfare evaluations, reporting concerns promptly to the Aquarium and Puffin Supervisor.

· Record Keeping: Log feeding, water quality readings, husbandry tasks, and animal observations accurately and consistently.

· Facility Upkeep: Keep tanks, equipment, and back-of-house areas clean, organised, and safe for animals, staff, and visitors, in the winter help with general maintenance of the entire facility.

· Assist with puffin care as needed, particularly during busy periods or staff shortages.

· Visitor Engagement: Talk with customers, including taking occasional tours, letting your passion be infectious! 

· Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Aquarium and Puffin Supervisor and fellow team members, always following training and safety procedures, and helping other areas as needed for instance admissions.

This is a full-time, permanent contract based in Iceland and includes regular weekend work.

When applying for positions at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary, please be aware that obtaining a work permit and residence permit can take approximately 8 to 10 months for first-time applicants. This duration may vary based on individual circumstances and the completeness of your application.

Qualifications & Experience

· Passion for cold-water marine species.

· Experience in aquarium keeping.

· Working knowledge of life support systems (LSS) 

· A creative eye for aquascaping and display design.

· Comfortable working as part of a team and following direction from a supervisor.

· Good observation skills and attention to detail for health monitoring and record-keeping.

· Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed.

Benefits

Alongside working with a supportive, hard-working, and fun team, you’ll also receive:

• Help with Visa costs
• Relocation package offered
• Merlin Magic Pass: Free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends annually
• Enjoy the Ride Pass – giving you and 5 others a Merlin Annual Pass (Gold edition)
• Discounted rates at Merlin hotels globally

If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at recruitment@merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted Salary Range

ISK kr559,349/Mo.