Suresh Aswal

Forward-thinking Senior Aquarist equipped with advanced operational and technical knowledge of animal husbandry and maintenance. Proven team leader and problem-solver competent in navigating complex situations. Manages assignments, schedules and projects with organized and detail-oriented mindset.

• SeaTrek Guide certification from Sub Sea Systems
• PADI Rescue Diver Scuba Certified
• Certified First Aid, CPR and AED from American Heart Association
• Conducted Tours of lost chambers aquarium for TV channels and marketing
• Trained on Fire Fighting skills by Dubai Police Academy
• Served in 2nd Meghalaya Battalion as Cadet in National Cadet Core, India for 3years in Junior Division
• Awarded employee of the month and quarter on several occasions and nominated for Employee of the year 2013 at Atlantis the palm, Dubai.
• Successfully completed Atlantis Brand promise and leadership training programs

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct EGRESS, dive safety and rescue scenarios for guest Dive operations
• Train and Assess specialist and associates to carry out guest diving operations in Endless Oceans Habitat
• Training new associates and specialists to have a better understanding of compact Skids, Quarantine regime and protocols set by leadership
• Organizing schedule and duty rosters for colleagues and assigning weekly duties and responsibilities to all Biologists, Aquarist and Junior aquarist,
• Assisted in creating Standard operating procedures, Daily Checklist for smooth operating environment and ISO certification audits
• Storage, taking inventories and raising requisitions for all operational supplies, perishables and non-perishable
• Updating daily reports and recording animal logbooks, preparing final daily reports of all Habitats and animals in stock; to be sent to management at the end of daily operations
• Conduct training for new Aquarist, Junior Aquarist, interns and Mentor students including periodical assessments, able to give constructive feedback on frequent training and assessments
• Conducting weekly meetings with managers to update and follow-up on ongoing projects and events
• Training and assessing front of house staff for behind-the-scenes tours, dive shows and guided tours
• Oversee all dive related duties and in charge for dive locker operations., Actively involved in Colleague Engagement Survey Committee (CES) which involves leading a group of team members to ensure the department meets all training goals, functions effectively with managers and helps to promote a healthy work environment
• Senior Specialist for quarantine Area, responsible for Improved understanding of quarantine protocols, regimes, treatments, animal transport and handling Including acclimation and acquisition of animals
• Training colleagues on the shark spotting skills, familiarizing with animal behaviors and responses
• Lead aquarist for Main Habitat (2 million liters), coral Habitat (6000 liters) and quarantine facility (38 tanks)
• In the team of Aquarist for maintaining 11.5-million-liter Aquarium with 280 different species and 65000 marine animals, Caretaking of local and tropical marine animals in small Habitats ranging from 200 liters to 98,000 liters
• Provide appropriate care, routine health assessments, feedings, including Vitamins and dietary need for all animals, Habitation services and treatments as required to all animals in collection including invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds and insects
• Actively involved in collecting ideas and building enrichments for different animals in collection
• Assisted in training birds, mammals, reptiles and other amphibious animals in collection
• In charge for horticultural activities that included pest control, preparing treatments, fertilizing, training vines and potting new plant and trees in the Bio dome
• Oversee and assist in local animal collection, transportation and acclimation to quarantine facility
• Responsible for live food cultures (aquatic and terrestrials), including DE capsulation of cysts and harvesting
• In charge of the feeding, training, transportation and handling of two Albino Alligators, Station and target trained all elasmobranchs and green sea Turtles in the Main Habitat
• Applied proper animal husbandry principles with emphasis on employee, guest and animal safety including large animal capture, de-barbing, handling and transportations
• Part of the team to successfully drained and filled 3.5 million liters 'shark tank' including transporting all livestock and re-introduction in the Habitat

ANIMAL PROGRAMS AND VISITORS INTERACTION

• Senior specialist for underwater guest programs, SeaVenture; Helmet dive and SeaDive in 26-million-liter habitat
• Conducted snorkeling, Ray feeding and assisted in Sea Trek and Dive Programs in main Habitat (11.5 million liter), Safety diver for Ultimate dive experience where guests interacted and feed animals underwater
• Conducted individual and group tours of different activities offered at the Lost chambers Aquarium for guests and management
• Assisted Front of house staff in organizing educational programs for school groups and special events, involving animal interactions and awareness
• Responsible for the assessment of all employees performing Back of House Tours, guided tours, Ray feeding, Aqua theater shows and other different animal interaction programs
• Delivered tours within the Aquarium, with basic knowledge of mechanical systems, General safety, animal care, animal dietary needs and other areas surrounding the operation
• Learned and applied detailed knowledge of safety and safe handling of equipment by Trainings, participation and always following standards
• Managed delivering animal programs and interaction in timely manner during high seasons while maintaining safe environment for peers, management and guests
• Conducted interactions for people of determination and young school kids

LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND MAINTENANCE

• Conducted life support system inspections, oversee aquarium maintenance and water quality parameters including backwash with follow up troubleshooting
• Plumbing and PVC modification of skids to enhance overall output and reduce labor hours, Snagging and repair works for commissioning systems in pre-opening properties
• Overnight Habitat bleaching/sterilization of jellyfish Habitats including manual backwash of sand filters
• Utilized proper husbandry techniques to ensure the optimal health of animals by daily water quality analysis and record keeping
• Making checklist for LSS parameters and assuring all parameters are in range for smooth operation
• Assisting in daily and periodical maintenance of LSS parts for aesthetic upkeep of equipment
• Regular maintenances of lighting systems and adjusting programming according to animal requirements