Aquarist

SEA LIFE Brighton

East Sussex Closing date for applications is: 1st Jan 2026

SEALIFE Brighton Aquarist Job Description

Job Title: Aquarist

Division: Midway

Grade: F

Department: Displays

Reporting to: Displays Supervisor

Scope of Job: To play a key role in ensuring consistently high standards of display presentation and animal husbandry. To support the running and maintenance of all off show areas including the quarantine areas and the maintenance of the individual displays life support systems.

To provide support in SEALIFE Brighton Conservation strategy.

To play a key role in full fill all the zoo license & BIAZA requirements ensuring high welfare standards for our animals.

Key Objectives:

• To maintain consistently high standards of displays presentation throughout all public and behind scenes areas of displays.
• To ensure consistently high standards of animal husbandry and record keeping align with zoo license veterinary, and BIAZA requirements.
• To ensure consistently high standards of animal husbandry through correct routine maintenance of the life support systems operation.
• To play a key role in the continual development of the displays on site in line with the displays development plan.
• To play a key role in the continual development of the SEALIFE Brighton Conservation strategy work conducted on and off.
• Be an ambassador for SEA LIFE Brighton, leading from the front promoting the core brand values every day to inspire, coach and motivate others.

Main Responsibilities:

• Work to a level that is equal to or surpasses the guidelines set in the company minimum standards for displays.
• Action plans set out as part of the displays objectives for the site.
• Action plans set out as part of the conservation objectives for the site.
• Prepare and update where needed suitable diets and feed all livestock.
• Prepare and follow suitable training & enrichment plans for the relevant animals.
• Ensure consistently high levels of animal health and welfare.
• Adhere to any welfare guidelines including proficient use of the AHEF system and enrichment animal plans, and correct and detailed drug records.
• Ensure all the records are kept updated daily in a correct and proficient manner as per zoo license requirements, including but not limited to veterinary records (AHEF), drug treatments register, census and movement data (OERCA), animal individual files (monthly weight).
• Ensure all the interpretation screens are updated as per zoo license requirements.
• Ensure high quality product presentation through the routine maintenance of displays and tanks, thus ensuring high levels of visitor satisfaction.
• Complete ongoing routine maintenance of Life Support Systems, crisis management equipment, environmental alarms and associated critical spares.
• Complete accurate and up to date displays record systems including deliveries, collections, animal management, feeding and associated matters.
• Implement continually high levels of cleanliness of all the displays, quarantine and food preparation areas, plus associated plant and workshops.
• Maintain and develop displays lighting, signage and interactive displays in the displays area.
• To perform carefully and correctly closing checks before leaving the building to maintain high animal welfare.
• As a key member of the displays team, alarm callout duties and water system control checks (Seneye, and SCADA monitoring systems) will be mandatory and as such will be a designated key holder. Due to the nature and importance of this role it is required for employees within this role to reach the site when on callout duty within 20 minutes.
• Working shift pattern to cover 5 days out of 7, averaging 40 hours per week, not including any breaks. The ability to be flexible with working hours and days to meet demands and requirements of the business which operates 7 days a week. This can include Christmas and boxing days as well as bank holidays.
• Working a shift pattern with up to a year’s rota given in advance. Require hours 8-5pm, which may vary dependent on the needs of the business.
• Whilst caring for animals and working with the public and for marketing/PR activities, it is likely that you will be required to work outside your normal contracted hours. In addition, you will be expected to remain flexible with regards to weekly rotas based on the needs of the business and animal requirements.
• To talk and communicate with the guests in a friendly and engaging manner whilst conducting normal duties or as part of an experience or talk where required for the needs of the business.
• To oversee and lead where needed guest focused animal experiences conducted on site such as our public turtle feed.
• Where able to become trained as part of the displays dive team and be available for diving in roles determined by the needs of the business.
• To represent or support Merlin Entertainments to external media and other areas with appropriate support and training.
• Complying with the statutory and company regulations regarding Health and Safety at Work and COSHH.
• Complying with government and company regulations about diving at work. Including attending dive medicals and first aid at work courses.
• Ensure there is a safe working environment on site for yourself and all displays staff, through keeping up to date with risk assessments and health and safety related documents/signs, including a prompt report of the Near Miss, ensuring that you are fully trained in safe working procedures and that correct PPE is available for all tasks undertaken before undertaking them.
• Ensure prompt and accurate reporting or health and safety incidents on site.
• Ensure all back of house areas are kept presentable to a standard set out by the Displays Curator.
• Adhere to all Zoo licence and BIAZA regulations and how they apply to the centre.
• Responsible for ordering of livestock feeds and sundries within budgetary constraints.
• To minimise waste and unnecessary spend on consumables where possible.
• Play a key role in the continual development of the core product through completion of tasks detailed within the site ‘Displays Development Plan’.
• To attend and present at conferences or other peer gatherings when requested to talk about the work undertaken on site.
• To undertake objectives set through yearly PDP assessment.

Adhere, complete and track your training through our training matrix.

• Play a key role in the displays and site team to ensure the smooth operation of the displays and site.
• Maintain a high level of communication between the displays and site management.
• Supervision of Displays Assistants, work experience, students, volunteers and interns.
• Supervision of student, volunteers and interns, assisting and/or participating to conservation, education and research projects as assigned from the Displays Supervisors. This may include (but is not limited to) career evening, conservation events, outreach events, beach clean, supervising and assisting college and university students with their on site research projects.
• Adhere to all customer care initiatives as specified by the company.
• Attendance of all relevant training courses and workshop as dictated with Merlin animal welfare department.
• Work within bio secure environments of our turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre and adhere to relevant protocols.