California Academy of Sciences

Senior Curator, Aquarium

San Francisco, CA · Senior · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$120k-$130kDetected 16 days ago

Project ManagementBudgetingScientific WritingResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingMentoring

About the role

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.
Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history.
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.

Responsibilities

Manages other managers and 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.
Develops and oversees Aquarium conservation and research projects with specific emphasis on those directly related to strategic initiatives and AZA programs, including internal and external collaborations, grant writing, budgeting, data collection, project management, and project reporting.
Maintains accurate records using the department's standardized software programs.
Maintains Steinhart Aquarium protocols, procedures, recordkeeping and standards, and provides recommendations for advancing animal welfare standards and innovations in animal and plant husbandry and/or in environmental data collection and management.
Develops and implements the institutional collection plan or an environmental management program and upholds industry best practices and the standards of regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations.
Assists with 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 projects and strategic initiatives.
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.

Requirements

Must have completed seven (7) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or seven (7) years of paid full-time analytical chemistry/water quality or related position(s) in a public aquarium or zoological facility.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Chemistry or a related field.
Advanced knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection and/or standard laboratory equipment, instrumentation and methods.
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.
A successful candidate will have the following:
Experience and/or Education:
Minimum five (5) years of progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects, budgets, and/or professional staff.
Skills and Abilities:
Advanced knowledge of public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping, life support systems. May include water quality testing methods, parameters, and methods for maintaining them in aquatic habitats.

Nice to have

SCUBA certified or able to attain SCUBA certification.
Experience with scientific research projects.
Experience with pest control measures.
Experience caring for venomous and dangerous animals.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
Excellent observation, decision making, problem solving and reporting skills.
Excellent employee management and leadership skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000.00- $130,000.00.

Benefits

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.
The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked.
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.
Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Company info

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.

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This listing is sourced directly from California Academy of Sciences's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.