Catherine Vaz

• Care for and train marine mammals for specific marine mammal projects within integrated military functions.
• Administer food supplements, observe marine mammals, and assist with basic husbandry to ensure health and wellbeing.
• Actively training to become a designated secondary handler for specific animals.
• Travel with animals globally on short notice to ensure continuity of care and training.
• Operated and maintained various watercraft for marine operations.
• Perform underwater maintenance to the facility.

• Perform daily husbandry tasks including food preparation, water quality testing, medication/vitamin administration, record keeping, and animal behavior observation.
• Monitored aquarium health issues, identified and treated parasites, and performed area quarantine procedures to ensure animal health.
• Assist veterinarians with medical procedures, animal restraint and transport.
• Maintained cleanliness of assigned salt and freshwater exhibit areas through hand scrubbing, hydraulic scrubbing, and siphoning.
• Monitor and assist with repairs to aquarium filtration systems.
• Maintained animal records and managed equipment area responsibilities and communication requirements.
• Operated pneumatic and hydraulic hand tools for various tasks.
• Provide proactive guest service through guest interactions, pre and post show interactions and responding to guest inquiries.

• Oversaw dive operations, ensuring safety compliance and accurately recorded daily dive logs.
• Trained new divers on safety protocols and operational procedures to enhance team readiness and safety.
• Conducted underwater cleaning and inspections to maintain health of marine life habitats and ensure optimal exhibit conditions.
• Maintain diving equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety standards.
• Operate and maintain systems for refilling compressed air cylinders used in diving operations.

• Enforce animal welfare laws and regulations in the community.
• Investigated reports of animal cruelty and neglect, ensuring timely intervention for affected animals.
• Assisted in emergency response situations, safely rescuing and providing immediate care for distressed animals.
• Humanely handle, capture, restrain, confine and transport wild, domestic and livestock species using proper humane equipment, methods and techniques.
• Maintained accurate records of investigations and case reports for legal follow-up.
• Educated the public on responsible pet ownership and animal care, fostering community awareness and support for animal welfare.

• Facilitated smooth check-in and check-out procedures for pet owners, ensuring positive experiences during visits.
• Engaged with pet owners to update them on pets' activities, enhancing owner satisfaction and trust.
• Scheduled appointments and coordinated long-term boarding stays while managing cash and electronic payments, streamlining client transactions.
• Monitor dog behavior to ensure safety and well-being during playtime.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of dog play areas and facilities.

• Trained new divers on safety protocols and operational procedures to enhance team competency and safety awareness.
• Oversee dive operations and record daily dive logs.
• Conducted underwater cleaning and inspections to maintain healthy marine life habitats and optimal exhibit conditions.
• Maintain diving equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety standards.
• Operated and maintained compressed air cylinder refill systems to ensure safety and readiness for diving operations.

• Performed medical procedures including intake check ins, vaccine administrations, fecal examinations, and medication administration.
• Restrain animals during examination or treatment procedures using appropriate techniques according to species size and temperament.
• Assist in surgery turnover and in proper cleaning, wrapping and autoclaving of surgical packs.
• Maintained accurate medical paperwork while keeping exam and surgery rooms clean and organized.
• Ensured safe environment by cleaning and organizing animal enclosures.

• Assist with animal intake, evaluation, treatment, and training.
• Provided daily care for animals, ensuring cleanliness and comfort.
• Counseled potential clients on animal health, behavior, and training to enhance animal welfare and owner satisfaction.
• Collaborated with adoption staff and supervisors to deliver exceptional customer service and improve adoption outcomes.
• Engaged visitors, effectively promoting animal center's mission and fostering community support.

• Provided daily care for animals, maintaining cleanliness and comfort to support their well-being.
• Assisted with animal training, intake, evaluation, and treatment.
• Maintain accurate records of animal health and behavior observations.
• Assisted with animal adoptions, guiding potential owners to ensure successful placements.
• Collaborated with team members to enhance kennel operations, contributing to improved animal care standards.

As a Naturalist/Outreach Educator:

• Conduct tours and programs to K-12 students and groups, focusing on the natural history and conservation of the San Francisco Bay and its watershed.
• Educate visitors about local marine life and ecosystems through engaging presentations.
• Conduct interactive tours that enriched guest experiences and fostered conservation awareness.
• Collaborate with team members to design educational programs for various age groups.
• Maintained mobile aquatic life support systems for off-site programs.

As a Volunteer Diver:

• Oversaw dive team activities to uphold safety standards and perform essential maintenance tasks.
• Perform underwater maintenance and cleaning of aquarium exhibits.
• Monitored animal health and behavior, reporting concerns to senior staff promptly.