Back to jobs
Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
CACalifornia Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences•Non-profit Scientific Institution

Senior Curator, Aquarium

Location

San Francisco, California, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

5-7 years

Compensation

$120K - $130K per year

Posted

33m ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Senior Curator, Aquarium is responsible for the development, daily care, welfare, and management of the Aquarium's living collection, habitats, and programs. This role involves leading a team of biologists, overseeing conservation and research projects, and collaborating with other leaders to implement strategic plans. The curator also ensures adherence to industry best practices and regulatory standards for animal and plant husbandry.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The California Academy of Sciences is seeking a Senior Curator, Aquarium, reporting to the Director. The position leads the development, daily care, welfare, and management of the Steinhart Aquarium living collection, habitats, support areas, programs, and systems. The Senior Curator is part of the Aquarium leadership team and helps implement strategic priorities while managing staff, resources, conservation, research, breeding, and collection programs. The schedule may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Manage managers, biologists, interns, and volunteers, including hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, mentoring, and performance evaluation.

  • Oversee daily care and management of the living collection, galleries, habitats, and behind-the-scenes areas.

  • Develop and manage conservation, research, and breeding projects aligned with Academy strategic initiatives and AZA programs, including collaborations, grants, budgets, data collection, project management, and reporting.

  • Coordinate specimen acquisitions and transfers.

  • Maintain accurate records, protocols, procedures, and departmental standards using standardized software.

  • Advance animal welfare standards and innovations in animal and plant husbandry and environmental data management.

  • Develop and implement collection plans or environmental management programs while maintaining regulatory and accreditation standards.

  • Support departmental strategic planning, operating budgets, programs, projects, and new exhibit installations.

  • Coordinate habitat design and renovations, display concepts, environmental monitoring, and development of new tools and technologies with Exhibits Studio, Building Operations, Engineering, and other teams.

  • Collaborate with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability on research and strategic initiatives.

  • Develop staff through effective leadership and promote a culture of trust, respect, accountability, and constructive conflict management.

  • Build partnerships and programs supporting Aquarium and Academy strategic goals.

  • Participate in Academy committees, professional associations, and external partnerships.

  • Present science and environmental education programs to the public, media, and professional audiences.

  • Maintain professional relationships with colleagues, guests, media, and the public.

  • Follow all Academy safety regulations and perform other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Seven years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry, analytical chemistry/water quality, or related experience in a public aquarium or zoological facility.

  • At least five years of progressive leadership experience managing projects, budgets, and/or professional staff.

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine/Aquatic Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Advanced knowledge of animal care and welfare, USDA and AZA standards, public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, recordkeeping, life-support systems, and aquatic water-quality testing and management. Strong leadership, employee management, observation, decision-making, problem-solving, reporting, and written and verbal communication skills are required. Candidates must be able to present information effectively to guests, media, colleagues, and professional audiences; work collaboratively; use web-based communication tools; obtain CPR/AED/First Aid certification; and work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
SCUBA certification or ability to obtain certification, scientific research experience, pest-control experience, and experience caring for venomous or dangerous animals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to transport 50 pounds, perform repetitive motions, stand, sit, walk, reach, talk, hear, distinguish colors, use computers, climb stairs and ladders, swim, and operate long-handled nets, extension poles, and shepherd's hooks. Must be willing and able to work with or near hazardous materials and venomous or dangerous animals.

COMPENSATION:
Salary range is $120,000-$130,000, with actual compensation based on qualifications, experience, skills, education, certifications, and internal equity. The Academy provides a comprehensive benefits package based on hours worked, with additional compensation and benefits details discussed during the interview process.

Updated 33m ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal Care and Welfare • 1+ yrs
Aquarium Operations • 1+ yrs
Project Management • 1+ yrs
Budgeting • 1+ yrs
Employee Management • 1+ yrs
Leadership • 1+ yrs
Problem Solving • 1+ yrs
Data Collection • 1+ yrs

Experience

5-7 years

Certifications

CPR/AED/First Aid certification • Required
SCUBA certification • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$120K - $130K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationSan Francisco, California, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh • 9/10
physicalMedium • 6/10
cognitiveHigh • 8/10
executionHigh • 8/10
creativityMedium • 7/10
uncertaintyMedium • 7/10
communicationHigh • 8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

California Academy of Sciences

Team size

Growing team

Location

San Francisco, California, United States

Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Visit website

Senior Curator, Aquarium

San Francisco, California, United States • Full Time