Visual Communications Staff (Full-Time, Permanent)

Dolphin Research Center currently has a full-time opening for a Visual Communications Staff Member.  DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility dedicated to teaching, learning and caring for marine mammals and the environment we share. We are home to a colony of Common Bottlenose Dolphins and California Sea Lions.

Join our Visual Communications Department if you enjoy working outdoors around the water, interacting with people and watching dolphins at play. Photograph program participants to provide lasting memories of their experiences. This is a team department and most projects involve working closely with other V-C staff members and with co-workers from other departments.  Note: All photographs and videos are the sole property of Dolphin Research Center. Any photos taken with your own camera and your equipment during personal time are for your personal use and not to be sold or published.  This is NOT the position for someone hoping to transition to a marine mammal trainer.

Abilities and Skills

•  Ideal candidate must be a team player, self-motivated, dependable, flexible and have a positive attitude   
•  Must have physical agility, good balance, and be able to take steep steps while climbing on and off floating docks. 
•  Must also be able to squat and/or kneel to take photographs and/or shoot video.
•  Must be able to work long days in the Florida Keys heat.
•  Windows-based computer skills are required.
•  Familiarity with digital photography is required.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud software is a plus.

Position Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Taking candid digital still photos of guests and dolphins during public programs.
• All phases of video recording and editing.  Types of projects include promotional, educational, documentary, narrative and visual music montage.
• Photographing and video recording DRC dolphins, programs and events to support corporate-wide needs.
• Creating corporate publications including advertisements and marketing pieces.
• Creating on-site informational and directional signage.
• Tracking and maintaining production schedules.
• Working directly with guests to select and process print and/or digital photos.
• Willing to train the right candidate.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position starts at $10.00 per hour.  DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k)- retirement plan, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities.  DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and with our high benefits offers a competitive total package right for our environment.

To Apply:

If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, DRC application and samples of work (including portraiture or photographs with people as well as any other type of work such as video) to Dolphin Research Center, Attention: Human Resources Department, e-mail at drc-hr@dolphins.org, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050.

Dolphin Research Center is an equal opportunity employer

Director of Medical Care (Full-Time/Permanent)

COMPANY SUMMARY:

Dolphin Research Center, Inc. is a non-profit, natural lagoon facility located in the Gulf of Mexico in Grassy Key, Florida. Our mission is to promote peaceful coexistence between marine mammals and humans and the environment we share through research and education and to operate for the advancement of such research and education. Our animal family consists of 24 common bottlenose dolphins, one spotted dolphin, four sea lions, and nine birds. DRC holds the only manatee assessment license in the Florida Keys and works closely with Florida Fish and WildLife on rescues. 

JOB SUMMARY:

Dolphin Research Center is looking for a full time staff Veterinarian to provide veterinary care for the population of animals living onsite.  The director will supervise the medical department which consists of an Assistant Director, up to two Medical Technicians, a Medical Behaviorist and a seasonal intern. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The successful candidate will be the veterinarian of record for the facility.  This position contributes to and implements a  comprehensive medical program, manages clinical medical cases, supports a medical records system, and provides reports on the health of the animal population. S/he manages the Veterinary Technician  staff, communication and management of resources. This position represents the department, animal care teams and professional associations to assure the standard of delivering the high quality of animal care at Dolphin Research Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Demonstrate commitment to DRC’s vision, mission and values. 
• Manages all aspects of animal health to include a preventative medicine program, diagnostics, treatment, necropsy, medical records etc. Ability to perform basic in house laboratory skills and operate the in-house blood machine. Ultrasound and endoscopy skill desired.
• Work with Animal Care management to establish diets for each animal.
• Coordinate the on site management of clinical medical cases including diagnoses, treatments and post mortem examinations.
• Work closely with our consulting veterinarian.
• Stay relevant in the marine mammal health industry, contribute to research, conservation and education both within and outside the facility via outreach and publications, presentations. Attend professional meetings, like  IAAAM
•  Basic working knowledge of microsoft office, google etc.
• Set annual goals and conduct annual performance appraisals for medical staff including Veterinary Technicians and Behavioral Specialists.
•  Ensure Technician schedule provides for continuous coverage.
•  Maintain medical records in current systems.
•  Provide timely reports reflecting the health status of collection animals to the Animal Care Committee and other appropriate staff.
•  Manage activities to assure good communication and responsible management of resources, while providing a high level of service which includes strategic planning and financial  management.
• Stay current with complementary medicine advances.
• Manatees?
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain Florida veterinary license within 6 months.
• USDA license preferred.
• Ability to obtain DEA license.
• Board certification in zoo medicine not required but preferred.

Experience:

• At least one year of experience working in a zoo or aquarium setting.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Must be able to assist in restraining dolphins, sea lions, and manatees.
• Must be physically fit and comfortable working in the water.

Salary

• Salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• DRC currently offers medical benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, sick, as well as personal growth and training opportunities.  DRC seeks to provide for the well being of its employees and our salaries combined with our generous benefits create a competitive total package that is right for our environment.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The cost of living in the Keys tends to be high and salaries, for the most part, are not competitive with the national average. This is particularly true at DRC, which is still maturing as a not-for-profit corporation. Starting salaries vary according to an applicant's educational background, experience, and particular job responsibilities. The starting annual salary for an entry-level employee at DRC averages $21,000. Many staff members find it necessary to supplement their income through other means.

DRC seeks to provide for the well being of its employees and our salary combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment.

DRC offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick leave, gift shop discounts, work clothing, and complimentary Dolphin Encounters. However, the most important benefits are the extraordinary rewards employees encounter on a daily basis: feeling the elation when a dolphin demonstrates a new behavior for the first time, watching a child grin in excitement when she sees a dolphin burst out of the water into a flip, sitting quietly on a dock observing the fluid grace of dolphins, experiencing the sense of satisfaction when a student grasps a new concept, witnessing the magical moment when a learning-disabled child utters his first word. Moments such as these are the true rewards, the unique benefits of working at Dolphin Research Center.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested, please send your resume and completed application by email to drc-hr@dolphins.org or fax them to the Human Resources Director at (305) 289-8902. You may also mail them to Dolphin Research Center, Human Resources Director, 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050 or stop by the center and complete an application in person.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.