Biologist II

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. 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.

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

About the Opportunity

This is a full-time Biologist II position that is responsible for providing general animal care, maintenance, and support for the Steinhart Aquarium’s diverse living collection. Our biologists maintain habitats and holding areas, monitor animal and plant health, make frequent daily rounds, report suspected animal or water quality problems to a department lead, and maintain accurate records. The work schedule is either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday and will include weekends, evenings and holidays.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including 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 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 qualification for the position.

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. Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to more than 60,000 live plants and animals, representing more than 1,000 unique species, it offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats.

Key Responsibilities

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Position Duties and Responsibilites:

• 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.
• Participates in collection of specimens, animal transportation and shipments, and travels on Aquarium business as required.
• 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.

Experience and/or Education: 

Required:

Three (3) years of 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, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology 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.
• Effective organizational and problem solving 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 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 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 $30.63. 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.

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).