Terrestrial Curator, Steinhart Aquarium

About the Opportunity:
Reporting to the Director of Animal Care and Wellbeing, the Curator is a leader on a team responsible for the development, care and management of the Aquarium's living collection and all associated habitats, support areas, programs and systems. This position focuses on the Osher Rainforests of the World, African penguin, and Southeastern U.S. Swamp exhibits. The Curator manages and supervises other aquarium managers, biologists, interns and volunteers. The Curator assists in creating immersive, transformational, purpose-aligned experiences and helps develop impactful partnerships and programs. Work schedules may include holidays, evenings and weekends.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes 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 https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

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 one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

About the Steinhart Aquarium Team:
The Steinhart Aquarium inspires Academy visitors, increases their understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, and empowers them to make sustainability actions, with excellent live exhibits maintained to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities:
Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of biologists including hiring, training, daily supervision, scheduling, mentoring and performance evaluation. Supervises volunteers and interns
• Provide 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
• Coordinate the acquisition and transfer of specimens
• Assist the Directors in the management of the departmental operating budget, programs, projects and new exhibit installation involving the living collection, and implementation of Academy strategy and Experience Division priorities
• Assist with the development and implementation of the institutional collection plan and upholds industry best-practices and the standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Fish and Wildlife, and other regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations
• Help develop impactful partnerships and programs that support the overarching strategic goals of the Aquarium and the Academy, and maintain effective working relationships within and outside of the Aquarium and Academy
• Collaborate with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability to advance cross-divisional collaborative research projects and collaborates across the Academy to advance the Action Areas of Tropical Island Ecosystems and Thriving California
• Assist with the coordination 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
• Present science and environmental learning programs to the general public, media and in professional meetings
• Motivate, develop and enrich staff with the understanding that our people are our most important asset
• Conduct general tours of the Aquarium and support spaces
• Act as departmental manager on duty in the absence of the Directors
• Follow all Academy safety regulations
• Other duties of a similar scope and nature as otherwise assigned

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education: 

• • Experience caring for birds, reptiles and amphibians required. Experience caring for invertebrates, fishes, and/or plants preferred
  • Bachelor degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology or a related field
  • Advanced degree or coursework in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Ecology, Botany or a related field is preferred
  • Minimum seven (7) years progressive work experience in a major aquarium, zoological facility or the equivalent background
  • Minimum five (5) years progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects and supervising professional staff

Skills and Abilities:   

• • Excellent employee management and leadership skills
  • Excellent observation, decision making, problem solving and reporting skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Advanced knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection
  • Advanced knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare
  • Advanced knowledge of public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping and life support systems
  • Advanced knowledge of natural animal habitats and the ability to duplicate them in a controlled environment
  • Ability to multitask, prioritize and delegate tasks
  • Ability to present programs and effectively convey information to guests, the general public, the media, colleagues, and in professional meetings
  • Ability to work both as a team leader and as a member of a team
  • Ability to lead and cross-train staff in all assigned areas
  • Ability to work as a member and 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 work with record-keeping software such as ZIMS, Formstack and Google Drive
  • Willing to work with, and lead the team, in venomous and dangerous animal care
  • Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification
  • Hold a valid California driver's license or be able to acquire one
  • Ability to work weekends, evenings and holidays as required

Language Skills:​​ Ability to read and interpret documents such as zoo and aquarium standard operating procedures, permit conditions and reporting requirements, accreditation standards, animal transaction/shipping documents. Ability to write routine reports, correspondence, and standard operating procedures. Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals.

Physical Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Must be able to transport 50 lbs. Must be able to work at a computer and perform repetitive motions 75%​ ​of the time. 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. This position may be performed remotely, no more than 20% of the time.