Senior Curator, Aquarium

California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco seeks a Senior Curator to lead the Steinhart Aquarium living collection, overseeing daily care, welfare, and habitat management. You will guide conservation and research projects, manage staff and budgets, and collaborate across divisions and AZA programs.

This role requires seven years in animal/plant husbandry or related field, plus five years of leadership in managing projects, budgets, and staff.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects, budgets, and/or professional staff.
• 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.

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.
• Coordinates the acquisition and transfer of specimens or similar projects.
• 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.

Skills

Animal care knowledge

USDA/AZA standards

Public aquarium operations

Leadership & staff management

Communication skills

Public speaking

Project management

CPR/AED/First Aid

Team collaboration

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Chemistry or related field

Tools

Life support systems

Water quality testing

Recordkeeping software

Job description

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Senior Curator, Aquarium is responsible for the development, daily care, welfare, and management of the Aquarium's living collection and all associated habitats, support areas, programs, and systems. The Senior Curator is a key member of the Steinhart Aquarium leadership team, collaborating with other leaders to implement the Steinhart strategic plan and manage all staff, spaces, and resources. The Senior Curator oversees conservation, research, and/or breeding projects that align with the Academy’s strategic initiatives and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' programs. The Senior Curator instills a culture of respect, trust and accountability within the department and across the Academy. Work schedule may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Key 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.
• Coordinates the acquisition and transfer of specimens or similar projects.
• 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.
• Coordinates the design and renovation of habitats and development of concepts for displays and habitats, including research and development into novel species and their care, in collaboration with Exhibits Studio and Building Operations, or coordinates the design and renovation of environmental monitoring and response, including research and development of cutting‑edge tools and technology to support the care and wellbeing of the collection, in collaboration with the Building Operations and Engineering.
• 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.
• 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 managers, biologists, interns and volunteers, including schedules and work assignments.
• Manage projects, programs or designated areas as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and/or Education

• 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.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects, budgets, and/or professional staff.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Chemistry or a related field.

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection and/or standard laboratory equipment, instrumentation and methods.
• Advanced knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
• 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.
• Excellent observation, decision making, problem solving and reporting skills.
• Excellent employee management and leadership skills.
• Excellent 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 caring for venomous and dangerous animals.

Physical Environment

• 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 differentiate between colors.
• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials.
• 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.

Compensation and Benefits

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

Schedule

Full‑Time, 40 hours per week.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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).