Nausicaá, the French National Sea Centre, is recruiting a Zone Manager-Diver for the tropical zone of its Aquariology Department.
For over 30 years, Nausicaá has striven to raise public awareness about mankind’s links with the Ocean and the need to preserve its natural equilibria. To achieve this, it not only displays thousands of animals and high-quality exhibitions, but also engages in educational, science outreach, and conservation programmes. Each day, Nausicaá works to ensure that its visitors truly experience the beauty, richness, complexity, and vulnerability of the marine world.
Nausicaá proposes 3 themed tour circuits to its 850,000 annual visitors: ‘In the Eye of the Climate’, ‘Human beings and the Coast’, and, since 2018, a new space dedicated to the High Seas. Better protecting and managing the High Seas ethically, equitably, and sustainably is one of the great challenges of the 21st century.
Nausicaa’s tropical zone is made up of a multitude of aquariums, ranging in size from a few dozen litres to 1000 m3. These are populated by a wide variety of species (marine fish and invertebrates, corals, freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians, and tropical plants).
Responsabilities
Reporting to the Director of Aquariology, the Tropical Zone Manager is responsible for the smooth running of the zone. They manage a team of 7 to 10 people and organise the Zone’s activities in line with the Aquariology department’s objectives in terms of safety, quality, and animal welfare.
Main roles
- Organising the zone in compliance with the Aquariology department’s rules: drawing up schedules, managing absences, allocating the zone’s activities and missions to staff.
- Managing their team: mobilising the team to achieve its objectives, leading meetings, conducting annual performance reviews, etc.
- Ensuring the general quality of the breeding enclosures in terms of population, overall coherence, aesthetics, animal health, hygiene, etc.
- Drafting or having drafted documents relating to the zone (instructions for use, procedures, activities, requests for third-party assistance, etc.). Having these documents approved and keeping them updated.
- Identifying the needs of the zone (equipment / animals / food / etc.) and obtaining the corresponding quotes from suppliers.
- Sharing in the day-to-day work of the zone’s aquarists and arranging for a replacement if necessary.
- Approving minor aquarium layout work and maintenance of small-scale aquariological equipment.
- Ensuring that all measures to preserve the health and well-being of the animals (prophylactic measures) are implemented.
- Collecting and transmitting all useful and/or requested information (R&D tax credits, breeding, feeding, acclimatisation, etc.).
- Ensuring that data is recorded in legal registers as well as ensuring that monitoring documents, declarations of movements / treatments carried out / births, etc. are kept up to date.
- Monitoring physico-chemical parameter readings, interpreting results and drawing up any necessary action plans in collaboration with the Life Support System Manager.
- Making proposals for the continuous improvement of their zone in particular and for Nausicaá's aquariology department in general.
- Giving presentations or talks to a variety of audiences (visitors, journalists, colleagues, students, etc.) both inside and outside Nausicaá.
- Participating in various Research & Development programmes.
- Participating in specific aquariology operations: Transport / Captures / Shows / Acclimatisation / Other out-of-the-ordinary operations, etc.
- After a training period, will be required to work on duty for the department.
Education & training
Minimum level BAC+2 in the following fields: marine sciences and technologies/techniques, aquariology, aquaculture, animal ecology.
Professional diving qualification: minimum level "class 0" required.
Professional experience
At least 3 to 5 years' professional experience in aquariology or aquaculture.
Candidate profile
- Managerial skills: leadership, able to clearly justify reasoning, persuade, and support team members, etc.
- Able to work in a team
- Good physical condition
- Good understanding of hydraulic networks and equipment
- Good theoretical and technical understanding of aquariology
- Aptitude for working with technology and carrying out manual work
- Proficient in the use of IT and new technologies
- Fluency in English is desirable
- Diligent and organised
- Observant
- Good interpersonal skills
The appliant must speak french fluently.
Working environment & conditions
- Fixed daytime working hours (204 days/year)
- Occasional evening work
- Occasional travel in France and abroad
- Heavy lifting and lots of walking
- Office work using IT tools
- Underwater diving
Contract: Permanent contract starting February 2024
NAUSICAA promotes inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity.
Qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, religion, origin, nationality, age, disability, or any other aspect of their identity.
Please send your application (covering letter and CV) either by e-mail to rh@nausicaa.fr or for the attention of:
NAUSICAA
HR DEPARTMENT
Boulevard SAINTE BEUVE
62200 BOULOGNE SUR MER