Biologist I, Aquarium

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

Reporting to the Curator of Water Quality and Aquarium Operations, this part-time commissary biologist
position is responsible for providing daily animal diet preparation, food stock inventory, and ensuring
clean kitchen spaces. Also general animal care and maintenance for live feed items both terrestrial and
aquatic. Work schedule will include weekends, evenings and holidays. This 16 hour per week position.

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.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United, and will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract.

About the Commissary Team

The Commissary Team is integral to the living collections at the Academy. This team is responsible for
diet preparation of the mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, terrestrial invertebrate, and aquatic (fresh and salt water) collection. The Commissary Team is one of the several teams within the Steinhart Aquarium. 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. Since 1923, Steinhart Aquarium has developed a colorful history of firsts. From becoming the first public aquarium to display flashlight fish and coconut octopuses to advancing exploration of the ocean’s mysterious “twilight zone,” innovation and scientific excellence are in our DNA. Today, Steinhart continues to shape the role that modern aquariums play in educating and inspiring the public about the biodiversity and sustainability of our oceans and rainforests.

Key Responsibilities

•  Prepares food for the animals following established diets.


• Cleans and disinfects work areas on a daily basis and maintains the commissary in a neat, orderly manner to comply with United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) and Association
  of Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) standards.


• Provides the husbandry and maintenance of healthy live aquatic and terrestrial feeds by
  following established protocols.


• Provides a high standard of daily husbandry care and exhibit maintenance including animal
  feedings, exhibit and back of house cleaning, health monitoring and environmental sampling.


• Provides backup and support for areas assigned to other staff as the Primary and/or Secondary
  backup during their normal days off and holidays.


• Trains and supervises volunteers.


• Effectively communicates to the Aquarium management and staff.


• Participates in Academy committees and work groups as needed.


• Becomes fluent in our animal data software program - ZIMS.


• Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and effective working relations with fellow
  employees.


• Actively participates in a culture promoting trust, respect and accountability.


• When required, presents programs to the general public, media and in professional meetings.


• Conducts general tours of the Aquarium and its support spaces.


• Answers questions from the general public through a variety of means.


•  Interacts with professional colleagues, guests, the media and the general public in a
  professional manner.


• Follows all Academy and Aquarium safety regulations.


•  Other duties of a similar scope and nature as otherwise assigned.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

• Basic knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection.


• Basic knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection.


• Basic knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.


• Basic 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.


• Effective at multitasking, adapting, and prioritizing.


• 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.


• Experience caring for exotic animals, aquarium fishes, invertebrates, plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds and/or mammals.


• Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid Certification.


• Must be able to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis.


• Ability to read, interpret, and write documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.


• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

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. 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. The employee must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs, must be able to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time, climb stairs and ladders, able to swim, able to use extension poles, long-handled nets and shepherd’s hooks and able to work with, or adjacent to, venomous and dangerous animals.

Schedule: Part-time, Onsite, 16 hours per week with a schedule of Friday-Saturday 7am-4pm

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $27.64. 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.

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).