Samuel Shannon

Experience

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  University of North Florida

  Sept 2012 - Aug 2016

  Ropes Course Facilitator

  Designed and implemented challenge and ropes course programs for corporate, at-risk, and nonprofit groups to develop skills in leadership, problem solving, self-esteem and effective communication. Provided educational programs centered around native flora and fauna for elementary and middle school groups. Worked outdoors in Florida’s climate and environmental conditions including heat, high relative humidity, insects, poisonous plants and animals.

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  PetSmart

  Oct 2012 - Feb 2013

  Pet counselor

  I aided customers in selecting products for their pets. I focused mainly on Fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

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  Petland Retail Stores

  Feb 2013 - Jun 2016

  Pet counselor

  Maintained life support systems for marine and freshwater enclosures. Carried out daily maintenance and preventative care for vertebrate and invertebrate species including avian, amphibian, reptiles and mammals. Unique specimens included Macaws as well as banded cat sharks.

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  Environmental Services, Inc.

  Jan 2015 - May 2015

  Assistant Scientist

  Conducted wetland delineation, remediation, Gopher Tortoise surveys and invasive plant removal. Filed permits and reports to the Army Corps of Engineers and to the Jacksonville Energy Authority. Field work consisted of back to back days conducting surveys in hot Floridian summers in swamp, Sandhill, and scrub habitats. Conducted Gopher Tortoise and anuran call surveys using drift fences, cameras, and audio recordings. Experienced with common and endangered herptofauna native to Florida, including the Blue-Tailed Mole Skink (Plestiodon egregius). Show less

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  Mandarin Sea Life

  Oct 2015 - Feb 2017

  Lead Aquarist

  Maintained and installed large-scale aquatic life support and filtration systems, including pumps, various filters, protein skimmers, and RO/DI systems. Ensured adequate supplies of conditioned water and chemicals for all animal enclosures. Responsible for repair by maintaining an inventory of spare parts and special tools. Trained less experience staff in aspects of life support systems. Knowledgeable in water quality parameters and problem remediation, flow dynamics, as well as intermediate chemistry and physics. Show less

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  City of Jacksonville

  May 2016 - May 2017

  Environmental Specialist

  Site Manager and coordinator for the State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Act for Duval, Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns counties. Managed all phases of site rehabilitation of petroleum and other pollutant-contaminated sites as they relate to Chapter 62-780, F.A.C. Evaluated technical documents, written proposals, bids, invoices, and other financial documents. Knowledge of petroleum contamination assessment, remediation technologies and associated costs.

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  Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

  May 2016 - Aug 2016

  Stingray intern

  Internship where I worked with a team of 3 other Keepers to maintain and care for elasmobranchs and invertebrates in a 17,000-gallon saltwater exhibit. Provided hands-on life support maintenance including back-washing sand filters, operating protein skimmers with ozone, servicing pressure gauges and UV sterilizers, as well as scrubbing algae. Conducted daily water quality testing using YSI photometer. Assisted with routine medical exams of the rays, including obtaining weights, restraining rays for barb trims as needed, applying topical and dissolved medications, as well as animal observations, enrichment, and training. Show less

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  Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

  Apr 2017 - Oct 2019

  • Spearheaded new water quality monitoring program and developed new internship program for AZA accredited facility• Slashed municipal water consumption during drought conditions by 20% by improving existing equipment• Proactively maintained adequate spare part inventories, tools, and lab equipment• Assessed Plumbing & Instrumentation Diagrams, mechanical drawings, and blueprints

  • WQ and LSS Manager

    Oct 2018 - Oct 2019

  • Aquatic Biologist

    Apr 2018 - Oct 2018

  • Water Quality Specialist

    Oct 2017 - Apr 2018

  • Water Quality Technician

    Apr 2017 - Oct 2017
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  Clarke

  Jun 2020 - Mar 2022

  -Implement various conservation activities such as exotic and invasive species control through manual and chemical means, native plant community restoration, as well as mitigation of disturbed aquatic ecosystems-Operation and maintenance duties of equipment including 4WD trucks, ATV's, UTV's, motorized watercraft, trailers, portable pumps, pump engines, backpack blowers and sprayers, chainsaws, handtools, GPS, etc.-Water testing and analysis following fish kills and algae blooms.-Extensive identification of native and exotic terrestrial and aquatic plant species.-Licensed Chapter 482 Pest Control Operator in Core, Aquatic, Right-Of-Way, and Natural Areas. Show less

  • Aquatic Ecologist I

    Feb 2021 - Mar 2022

  • Aquatic Biologist II

    Oct 2020 - Feb 2021

  • Aquatic Biologist I

    Jun 2020 - Oct 2020
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  Tanknicians

  Jun 2021 - now

  Aquarium Consultant

  Provide technical and mechanical skills and CAD designs to assist in developing large scale aquariums.

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  Historic Tours of America

  Mar 2022 - Mar 2023

  Care for the daily operations of one of America's oldest functioning aquariums, with a focus on animal welfare.

  • Interim Life Support Manager

    May 2022 - Mar 2023

  • Operations Manager

    Mar 2022 - Mar 2023
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  Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

  Mar 2023 - Mar 2024

  Assistant Curator of Animal Husbandry

  assists with the administration and management of the Bachelor Environmental Center (BEC) as well as other off-site projects. This position is responsible for maintaining the aquatic and avian enclosures at the BEC including the upkeep of the life support systems. Maintains a high level of animal care for all specimens in collection and coordinates with the animal health team regarding new treatments and procedures. Assists with specimen acquisition and disposition for the living collection including transports to Frost Science and other facilities. Oversees quarantine of new acquisitions according to Frost protocols. Trains and manages off-site husbandry team members and coordinates staffing and coverage needs. Show less

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  Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

  May 2024 - now

  Aquatic Life Support Manager