(Sr.) Trainer

TITLE: (Sr.) Trainer
DEPARTMENT: Oceanarium
REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Oceanarium Team
STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt
PAY RATE: $26.00 - $35.00/hour
LOCATION: Onsite, Chicago

The position is intentionally designed to accommodate different levels of experience. Candidates with strong foundational experience may be considered at the Trainer level, while candidates with more advanced experience in animal training, behavior modification, leadership, and staff development may be considered for the Senior Trainer level. 
 
POSITION OVERVIEW: Shedd Aquarium is seeking a (Sr.) Trainer to join our Oceanarium team and support the care, training, welfare, and engagement of a diverse collection of animals, including dolphins, whales, penguins, sea otters, sea lions, birds of prey, and other animal ambassadors. 

This role combines exceptional animal care and husbandry with positive reinforcement training, behavioral conditioning, public engagement, and teamwork. Trainers play an important role in creating meaningful experiences for both animals and guests while supporting the highest standards of animal welfare. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   

Core Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate commitment to the vision, mission, and values of the Shedd Aquarium.   

Animal Care & Welfare

• Provide exceptional daily care and husbandry for animals within the Oceanarium collection, including diet preparation, enrichment, animal handling, and support for medical care.
• Support animal health and welfare through observation, training, enrichment, and appropriate husbandry practices.
• Maintain clean, safe environments and accurate records related to animal care, behavior, diets, medical needs, and daily operations.
• Dive and snorkel as needed for pool cleaning, exhibit inspection, maintenance, and animal care.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively within the Oceanarium team and across departments to support animal care, training, and departmental goals.
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions, special events, volunteer activities, and other departmental initiatives.
• Provide guidance and constructive feedback to less experienced staff and contribute to a positive learning environment.
• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, and positive relationships with colleagues, volunteers, guests, contractors, and community partners.

Guest Engagement & Education

• Engage guests by sharing accurate, compelling information about animals, their care, and Shedd’s mission.
• Participate in public presentations, tours, behind-the-scenes experiences, media opportunities, student interviews, and other educational programs.
• Represent Shedd with professionalism while creating positive and memorable guest experiences.

Training & Behavior

• Apply operant conditioning principles, with a focus on positive reinforcement, to develop and maintain animal behaviors.
• Participate in training goals and behavioral programming that support animal care, welfare, management, and guest programming.
• Develop behaviors from foundational stages through completion while maintaining appropriate training standards and animal welfare practices.
• Support animal presentations, guest interactions, and other programs through effective animal training and handling.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Additional Responsibilities at the Senior Level:

• Apply advanced operant conditioning and behavior modification techniques to develop complex behaviors with minimal oversight.
• Coordinate daily animal training goals and complex training initiatives, including enrichment, presentations, and new behavioral conditioning.
• Assist leadership with animal care, training, handling, programming, and departmental standards and goals.
• Lead or coordinate specialized animal handling for presentations, medical care, transport, and other activities.
• Mentor and develop less experienced staff in animal training, husbandry, enrichment, animal handling, guest interpretation, and general operations.
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement animal care, training, enrichment, programming, and personnel goals.
• Represent Shedd in advanced public presentations, media appearances, tours, and facilitated programs.
• Support compliance with applicable industry and government standards.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences, or a related area is preferred.  Equivalent experience will be considered instead of a degree.
 
Core Experience:   

• 2+ years of experience working with marine mammals, birds, or other exotic animals or an equivalent amount of experience at another facility training animals 
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays, evenings, and other non-standard hours as required. 
• Commitment to continued learning and professional growth. 
• Ability to receive, apply, and provide constructive feedback. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are important. 
• Experience working effectively as part of a collaborative team. 
• Demonstrated ability to train and maintain foundational animal behaviors. 
• Experience applying operant conditioning principles focusing on positive reinforcement. 

Additional Qualification at the Senior Level:

• 5+ years of professional experience in animal husbandry, training, behavior, and guest programming, preferably within an AZA-accredited institution. 
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated application of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, and behavior modification techniques across a variety of taxa. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and condition complex behaviors. 
• Strong animal husbandry knowledge and experience supporting complex animal care needs. 
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills. 
• Experience coordinating animal training goals, enrichment programs, presentations, or other departmental initiatives. 
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in complex situations. 
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and guest engagement skills. 
• Proficiency with SCUBA diving for exhibit maintenance and/or animal care activities. 
• Strong computer and record-keeping skills. 

Designations/Certifications: 

• Open water diving certification required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Lift in excess of 40 pounds, periodic lifting up to 70 pounds. 
• Sit 
• Stand 
• Stoop 
• Walk 

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This person may be exposed to: 

• Low noise 
• Moderate Noise 
• Cold Water 
• Saltwater 

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization. 

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance 
• Accrued Paid Time Off 
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays 
• Life Insurance 
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive 
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets 

Reasonable Accommodations: 
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [email protected]. 

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.