Amy Giddens
Napier City
Summary
Energetic, hardworking, self-motivated conservationist. Wanting to gain more knowledge and skills to secure a job that aligns with values of caring for and restoring New Zealand's natural environment. An outgoing and personable nature, a willingness to help and a positive can-do attitude.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Diver/ Bird Keeper
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
03.2023 - Current
- As of March 2023 I joined the dive team and my title changed from Bird keeper to Diver / Bird Keeper. I carried on with all my previous responsibilities as a Bird keeper as well as taking on a diver roll.
- Perform entertaining scuba diving shows whilst hand feeding fish and rays.
- Maintain cleanliness of aquatic habitats and avian enclosures.
Bird Keeper
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
09.2019 - 03.2023
- Care for residential and rehabilitating kororā
- Caring for and raising captive brown kiwi in nocturnal housing and outdoor pens at Westshore captive breeding facility.
- Educate the public through up close animal encounters, public speeches, and interviews.
- Monitor and document animal behaviour and physical condition to track their health; seeking veterinary attention when necessary.
- Consult with veterinarians to diagnose problems, and administer prescribed treatments.
- Monitor and control rodents by setting and clearing traps, installing cameras, and tracking where rodents have been.
Volunteer Field Worker
Save Our Kaweka Kiwi
07.2021 - Current
- Provide regular health checks for kiwi chicks.
- Administer medications via tube dosing for disease and parasites.
- Ability to use radio telemetry to monitor and track wild kiwi.
- Complete long days tramping in remote areas
Diver /Aquarist
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
12.2017 - 03.2019
- Perform entertaining scuba diving shows whilst hand feeding fish, sharks, and rays.
- Maintain cleanliness of aquatic habitats and enclosures.
- Monitor water quality.
- Assist with residential and rehabilitating kororā duties.
- Maintain animal welfare for tuatara and other taonga species.
- Prepare special diets for animals to accommodate species specific needs.
- Educate visitors through animal encounters and public speeches.
- Monitor and document animal behaviour and physical condition to track their health; seeking veterinary attention when necessary.
- Consult with veterinarians to diagnose problems, prepare and administer prescribed treatments.
Education
Diploma in Marine Studies
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
12.2017
Skills
- Strong work ethic
- Team work skills
- Physically fit
- Self-motivated
- Trustworthy
- Excellent communication
- Good time management
- Problem solving skills
- Safety cautious
- Full manual driver licence
Certification
- Full NZ Driver licence
- Oxygen providers, PADI | 2023
- First Aid, Fire and Safety | 2023
- Kiwi practitioners candling course, Save The Kiwi | 2022
- Completed 21 day Outward Bound course | 2021
- Accredited captive kiwi handler | 2021
- Oiled Wildlife Response training, Massey University | 2021
- Diving COC | 2018
- Dive instructor, PADI | 2017
- Marine Mammal Medic, Project Jonah | 2016
- Day Skippers, Maritime NZ | 2016
Professional Development
Online Courses:
- Bird Identification, Department of Conservation | 2022
- Felid Skills, Department of Conservation | 2022
- Vet E-quarist courses, Penguins 1-3 | 2024
References
Joe Woolcott | Curator at the National Aquarium of New Zealand
Phone: 0273470241 Email: joe.woolcott@nationalaquarium.co.nz
Rebekah Cuthbert | Bird supervisor at the National Aquarium of New Zealand
Phone: 0273582875 Email: rebekahcuthbert@nationalaquarium.co.nz
Bev Wilkinson | Kiwi husbandry manager at Westshore Wildlife Reserve for Save the Kiwi (works closely with Aquarium staff at Westshore Kiwi Facility).
Phone: 0274808025 Email: bev@kiwisforkiwi.org
Deb Harrington | Save our Kaweka Kiwi Administrator/ Volunteer Lead.
Phone: 0274325726 Email: deb.dave@farmside.co.nz
Timeline
Diver/ Bird Keeper
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
03.2023 - Current
Volunteer Field Worker
Save Our Kaweka Kiwi
07.2021 - Current
Bird Keeper
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
09.2019 - 03.2023
Diver /Aquarist
National Aquarium Of New Zealand
12.2017 - 03.2019
Diploma in Marine Studies
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
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