Job Application for Biologist II, Animal Care at California Academy of Sciences

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About the Opportunity:
Reporting to the Curator, the Biologist II is responsible for providing general animal and plant care for the Steinhart Aquarium’s living collection in various exhibit areas as assigned. Cleans habitats and holding areas, monitors animal and plant health, makes frequent daily rounds, reports suspected animal or water quality problems to a department lead, maintains accurate records. Work schedule will include weekends, evenings and holidays. Preferred candidates will have experience in 2 or more of the following areas: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, plant collections, or freshwater fish.

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. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United. Once the Academy has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Cal Academy Workers United this position will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. 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 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. The Aquarium is a collaborative, supportive and innovative department that promotes a culture of trust, accountability and respect.

Key Responsibilities:

Provides daily animal and plant care and habitat maintenance including animal feedings, habitat and back of house cleaning, health monitoring and environmental sampling for one or more of the following: fresh and saltwater aquariums, terrestrial invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, bird, plant and mammal habitats and holding areas
Actively participates in the animal welfare and behavioral husbandry programs
Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required
Assists in the design and preparation of new display environments and habitats
Actively seeks further training with all taxa represented in the living collection
Maintains accurate records using the department’s standardized software programs
Effectively communicates to the Aquarium management and staff
Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and effective working relations with fellow employees
Participates in Academy committees and work groups as needed
Presents 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
Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education:

Required:

- Three (3) years paid full-time animal/plant care or related position(s) in a public aquarium or comparable institution, showing an increase in responsibility and experience

Preferred:

- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Zoology or a related field

Skills and Abilities:

Required:

- Knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection
- Knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare
- Knowledge of public aquarium /zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping and life support systems
- Excellent observation skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to multitask, adapt, and prioritize
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
- 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 member of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect and accountability
- Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications
- Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry
- Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification
- Ability to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis

Preferred:

- SCUBA certified or able to attain SCUBA certification
- Experience with scientific research projects

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 50lbs.
Ability to perform repetitive motion 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 at 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 hoods
Must be able to work with, or adjacent to, venomous and dangerous animals

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this position is $31.47. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. 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

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will close on February 7, 2025 at 9pm.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, cover letter, and complete the brief online application

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).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.

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This position requires having at least three (3) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or related position(s) in a public aquarium or comparable institution, please briefly explain how you meet this requirement.

Do you have experience in working within a behavioral animal enrichment and husbandry program? If yes, please briefly explain.

Do you have paid experience in one or more of the following areas: birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, or plant collections. If so, please briefly explain.

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Biologist II, Animal Care

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