Job Description
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About the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.
When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you\'re working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.
Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at
We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Senior Curator, the Assistant Curator is responsible for the development, daily care, wellbeing, and management of the Aquarium\'s living collection and all associated habitats, support areas, programs and systems. The Assistant Curator instills a culture of respect, trust and accountability within the department and across the Academy. Work schedule may include weekends, evenings and holidays.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Steinhart Aquarium is currently seeking an Assistant Curator to join the leadership team. Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to more than 60,000 live plants and animals, representing more than 1,000 unique species, it offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats.
The Assistant Curator will oversee terrestrial and freshwater habitats, including reptiles and amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, and plants, within the Osher Rainforest, African Penguins, and Swamp exhibits. A successful candidate will have prior experience managing paid professional staff, deep expertise with several of these taxonomic groups, and a strong background in behavioral husbandry, animal training, and enrichment.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manages a team of biologists including hiring, training, daily supervision, scheduling, mentoring and performance evaluation.
Provides leadership, oversight and coordination of the development, daily care and management of the resident collection and assigned galleries, habitats and behind the scenes support areas within Steinhart Aquarium.
Provides daily animal care and habitat maintenance including animal feedings, cleaning, health monitoring and environmental sampling as needed.
Coordinates the acquisition and transfer of specimens.
Maintains accurate records using the department’s standardized software programs.
Assists department leads in maintaining Steinhart Aquarium protocols, procedures, recordkeeping and standards, and provides recommendations for advancing animal wellbeing standards and innovations in animal and plant husbandry.
Assists with the development and implementation of the institutional collection plan and upholds industry best-practices and the standards of regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations.
Assists in the implementation of the departmental strategic plan and operating budget, manages programs, projects and new exhibit installation involving the living collection.
Collaborates with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability to advance cross-divisional collaborative research and conservation projects.
Collaborates across departments to advance the Academy’s strategic priorities.
Motivates, develops and enriches staff with the understanding that our people are our most important asset and actively helps develop and maintain a departmental culture that promotes trust, respect, accountability and effective conflict-management.
Helps develop impactful partnerships and programs that support the overarching strategic goals of the Aquarium and the Academy, and maintains effective working relationships within and outside of the Aquarium and Academy.
Participates in relevant Academy committees and workgroups, professional associations and partnerships with outside organizations.
Presents science and environmental learning programs to the general public, media and in professional meetings.
Interacts with professional colleagues, guests, the media and the general public in a professional manner.
Follows all Academy safety regulations.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly and indirectly manage and supervise biologists, interns and volunteers, including schedules and work assignments.
Manage projects, programs or designated areas as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS: A successful candidate will have the following:
EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:
Required:
Must have completed seven (7) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or related position(s) in a public aquarium or zoological facility.
Minimum two (2) years of progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects and/or professional staff.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology or a related field.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Required:
Advanced knowledge of essential animal care and wellbeing requirements for the living collection, especially birds, reptiles and amphibians, plants, freshwater fishes and invertebrates.
Advanced knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and wellbeing.
Advanced knowledge of public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping and life support systems.
Excellent observation, decision making, problem solving and reporting skills.
Effective employee management and leadership skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to present programs and effectively convey information to guests, the general public, the media, colleagues, and in professional meetings.
Ability to work as a leader of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect and accountability.
Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.
Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
Ability to work weekends, evenings and holidays as required.
Preferred:
SCUBA certified or able to attain SCUBA certification.
Experience with scientific research projects.
Experience with pest control measures.
Experience with behavioral husbandry programs.
Experience caring for venomous and dangerous animals, including large crocodilians.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Ability to transport 50 lbs.
Ability to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time.
Requires the ability to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
Must be able to work a computer.
Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
Must be able to swim.
Must be able to use extension poles, long-handled nets and shepherd’s hooks.
Must be able to work with, or adjacent to, venomous and dangerous animals.
SCHEDULE : Full time, 40 hrs per week, Monday-Friday
Compensation and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $80,000.00 - $90,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate\'s qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.
The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).
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Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement, Monday to Friday, Afternoon shift,