Trabalhar Connosco

Aquarist (Aquarista)

We are SEA LIFE Porto and are part of the magical Merlin Entertainments!

About Us

SEA LIFE Porto is a living, breathing, interactive environment that's all about immersing visitors in the experience. Our amazing ocean display holds natural seawater where you can see our largest inhabitants as they roam around, walk beneath the ocean itself and get a wonderful view of our sea turtle Mariza. Seeing the magic of the deep up close with breath-taking displays among the fish, sharks, penguins and seahorses.

SEA LIFE Porto is also part of the magical Merlin Entertainments group, a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, operating now over 125 attractions, 20 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents.

Merlin Entertainments is a business built on fun. We are the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator and we have over 130 attractions, 21 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries across 4 continents. Our iconic brands include the likes of SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Dungeons, LEGOLAND Parks, LEGO Discovery Centres and more!

So if you are a team player who is vibrant and passionate about creating memorable experiences in a great company, we want to hear from you!

About the role

We are currently recruiting for a Aquarist to join our Divers & Displays team.  Your duties will include life support maintenance, record keeping, cleaning of displays, laboratories and quarantine facilities, animal welfare and feeding. You will face new challenges all the time and your passion for sea creatures will be key to support the local Curator and the team to achieve the highest standard of animal care and husbandry.

It is essential the successful candidate holds a Portuguese or UE driving license and has access to a vehicle, the position requires you to be on call on a rota basis and relocation within 30 minutes of the attraction is a must.

We are looking for the following skills and experience:

• Proven experience, under the guidance of Aquarium Curator, for maintaining and developing livestock displays along with promoting public education and awareness in relation to our SEA LIFE Breed, Rescue and Protect message.
• Knowledge of fulfilling Zoo license requirements and veterinary inspections to maintain the highest levels of animal welfare and recognise the importance of effective record keeping in this environment
• Ability to assist in the daily animal diet preparations, water quality testing, and routine cleaning of animal exhibits, holding pools, food preparation facilities and aquarium work areas.
• Experience of working with tropical marine and ambient species is necessary and a sound understanding of life support systems is essential
• Assists in exhibit preparation, including exhibit changes and improvements, and modifications including lighting, habitat, and plumbing as needed. Maintains aquatic habitat cleanliness and preparation for visitors.
• You must have experience working in the aquarium industry and a college degree or technical training on this field
• An understanding of HSE diving at work regulations is essential
• Diving qualification is a must (preference for PADI rescue diver /equivalent, or conditions to achieve that level in a short period of time)
• Ability to work as part of the displays team to ensure we achieve excellence in marine management, conservation, preservation and education
• Proven experience of working in a target driven environment
• Our ideal candidate will be dynamic, confident, self-motivated with excellent written and verbal communication skills and the drive to succeed; also have an advanced or upper-intermediate level in English
• Deliver exceptional customer service in a fast paced environment
• Ability to be flexible/adaptable as per the business operational requirements
• Intermediate level for the Microsoft Office Suite inclusive of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

This role is full time contract, averaging 40 hours per week and will include weekends and bank holidays as required.

Alongside a competitive annual salary and 23 days holiday, you can look forward to enjoying a great benefits package including a Merlin Magic pass, Employee Assistance Programme, Health Discount card, up to 25% discount in our retail shops and much more!

Note: Only applications received by February 10, 2023 will be considered.