Animal Care Team Member

About the role

Join the Beluga Whale Sanctuary as an Animal Care Team Member and help transition rescued belugas, puffins and other aquarium species to a more natural environment. You will work alongside marine experts, engage with visitors, and support daily operations in a unique marine‑conservation setting.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct positive‑reinforcement training for belugas and other marine mammals.
• Prepare diets, maintain habitats, and ensure water quality.
• Operate boats, perform open‑water and cold‑water dives, and assist with rescue drills.
• Lead visitor tours, feeding presentations, and guest experiences.
• Provide ad‑hoc support to admissions, maintenance and other departments as needed.

Required profile

• Experience with positive‑reinforcement training of cetaceans or marine mammals.
• Open‑water dive certification and a valid driver’s licence with a clean record.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays and irregular hours.
• Physical ability to lift 25 kg, work in cold water and spend time on a boat.
• Pass background check, physical exam and open‑water swim test.

Required skills

• Positive reinforcement training
• Open‑water dive certification
• Boat operation and navigation
• Cold‑water diving
• Life‑support system maintenance
• Water‑quality monitoring
• Laboratory or veterinary‑tech techniques
• Aquarium animal and bird care
• Boat captain licence (preferred)
• Drysuit or rescue‑dive certification (preferred)
• CPR/First Aid

What we offer

• Free Merlin Magic Pass for attractions worldwide.
• Merlin Annual Pass (Gold edition) for you and five guests.
• Discounted rates at Merlin hotels globally.