Freshwater Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Reintroduction Biologist TERM advances Tennessee Aquarium’s freshwater conservation mission by providing daily husbandry needs of reintroduction programs for southeastern aquatic animals. Daily duties include overall husbandry of aquatic animals, primarily hellbenders, in recirculating systems under human care. This work will take place at Tennessee Aquarium Animal Care Facility (ACF) but will also require work at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) and Tennessee Aquarium facilities open to the public such as River Journey and Ocean Journey, as well as other locations. The Reintroduction Biologist TERM assists in fieldwork for conservation programs and conducts outreach relating to reintroduction programs for students and lifelong learners as needed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provides daily husbandry for reintroduction program animals, including feeding, maintaining exceptional water quality standards, and managing animal health and wellbeing.
2. Involved in head starting as well as breeding/spawning a variety of species as needed to support different conservation projects. This position will mostly work with hellbenders head starting efforts but will also include other species and projects.
3. Maintains and feeds out live foods to support conservation program animals. This may include a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates such as fish, brine shrimp, and crayfish.
4. Prepares/chops food and washes equipment. This may include but is not limited to chopping frozen food by knife as well as utilizing food processors and other kitchen tools daily. Food offered includes, but is not limited to, blood worms, brine shrimp, krill, silversides, microfauna, crayfish, etc.
5. Routinely conducts water quality testing using various probes, spectrophotometers, and other lab equipment as needed.
6. Build and maintain working relationships with Tennessee Aquarium reintroduction partners including state and federal agency personnel, university professors, and other non-profit organizations.
7. Assists with fieldwork and other field support for monitoring, collection, and animal releases for reintroduction programs as needed.
8. Acts as a mentor to seasonal staff and/or volunteers, helps with training and coordinating daily needs with other full staff members while maintaining a positive attitude.
9. Maintains accurate records and assists with data entry relating to husbandry and monitoring activities.
10. Supports outreach activities, both in-classroom and online, promoting Tennessee Aquarium reintroduction programs to a variety of ages, including lifelong learners.
11. Assists with the maintenance of field equipment as needed.
12. Coordinates and orders supplies as directed.
13. Maintains all working areas in good order and regularly cleans all equipment and surfaces to maintain a hygienic and clean environment as directed.
14. Assists with and provides feedback on routine welfare assessments.
15. Assists with tours of facilities as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Resilience to conservation fatigue and ability to navigate balancing the health of the population with individual wellbeing.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude when dealing with stressful situations.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Some computer skills and familiarity with Word, Excel, and social media sites.
• Ability to complete some light plumbing and carpentry work preferred.

Educational/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in a biological discipline with 2-4 years of experience providing daily animal husbandry or Master of Science with 1-2 years of experience with providing daily husbandry.
• Experience in common husbandry techniques of aquatic animals using recirculating aquaculture.
• Amphibian head starting experience preferred.
• Experience in aquatic fieldwork preferred.

License or Certification Required

• Driver’s license required to operate Aquarium vehicles.

Supervises

• Volunteers and fellows

Working Conditions

• Typically, a standard 40-hour work week but ability to be flexible and work longer shifts and more than 40 hours as needed.
• This is a TERM position based on grant funding. Work is expected to start June 2026 and be completed by May 2030.
• Schedule will require weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday) and holiday work.
• Outdoors in various conditions for some fieldwork may be associated with this position.
• Indoors in various conditions (broad ambient air temperature range) and frequent exposure to cold water.
• Work requires occasional overnight trips to conduct aquatic fieldwork, research and conservation support activities, and to attend various meetings.
• Willing to be on call 24/7 as requested by supervisor.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Move and transport equipment weighing up to 50 pounds as part of regular job duties.
• Navigate uneven terrain and dense outdoor environments while handling required gear.
• Ability to safely navigate in and around water environments, including swimming, as required.
• Ascend and descend ladders and stairs as needed.
• Work in confined or restricted spaces that may require crouching, kneeling, or crawling.

Full-time, hourly ($21-22/hour); Term position (June 2026-May 2030). 40-hour work week, no set schedule. Includes weekend, evening, and holiday work as needed.

To apply, submit an online application, references, CV, and cover letter through the Aquarium’s career site at https://tnaqua.org/get-involved/

All submissions must be received by June 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM.