British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Aquarist
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SEA LIFE Hunstanton
Norfolk
Closing date for applications is: 3rd Aug 2026
Contact: Michael Best (michael.best@merlinentertainments.biz)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Paid
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: Compensation between GBP £26,966.00/Yr.-GBP £29,366.00/Yr.
Fancy working with jaw-some sharks, energetic penguins, or perhaps our cheeky otters? If you’re a hardworking and experienced Aquarist, then prepare for a world of glittering scales, humongous tentacles, and razor-sharp teeth!
We have a structured progression plan for our display teams in place across the UK, which means our Aquarists can develop through five levels. You can join us between levels 1 and 5 (depending on experience) and will be compensated accordingly, as you progress to the next tier. Successful performance can lead to you becoming a Displays Supervisor and with so many sites across the world, the opportunities are endless.
A day at Hunstanton is full of amazing things. From caring for our resident creatures, to rescuing an injured seal pup on the beach, to diving a tank, to tagging a shark to going on a trip with multiple aquariums to find jellyfish polyps, no day is the same. It is, however, often topped off with stunning Hunstanton sunsets!
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You’ll play a vital part in caring for our animals, ensuring consistently high levels of animal health and welfare as well as looking after and carrying out routine maintenance of the filtration and life support systems, crisis management equipment and environmental alarms. Other duties include back washing main filters, water changes, water quality checks, water parameters, health checks, plus training and enrichment.
You’ll prepare suitable diets and feed all livestock, as well as provide medication and treatment of animals under direction. You will also provide 24-hour alarm cover on a rota basis and maintain strict codes of practice for the use, storage and record keeping of all medications and chemicals according to HSE, COSHH and SSSMZP regulations.
This is a full-time, permanent role. This will include weekends and bank holidays on a roster basis.
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Qualifications & Experience
- Experience within public aquariums involving maintenance, plumbing and operation of large life support systems
- Strong demonstrable experience of animal husbandry
- An understanding of the fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to an aquarium environment
- Solid understanding of the accurate use of theming, lighting, and water movement
- A degree level qualification in animal care, marine biology or equivalent (desirable)
Benefits
- 40% off LEGO online
- 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
- Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends every year
- Enjoy the Ride Pass – giving you and 5 others a Merlin annual pass (gold edition)
- X2 volunteer days per year
- Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world
- Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets
Apply For This Job
To apply please use this link - https://careers-uk-merlinentertainments.icims.com/jobs/13265/aquarist/job?mode=job&iis=Job+Board&iisn=BIAZA
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