Senior Curator, Aquarium

Job overview

The Senior Curator, Aquarium role is onsite in San Francisco, CA, with compensation of $120,000–$130,000 per year. The California Academy of Sciences is a nonprofit scientific and cultural institution whose mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Reporting to the Director, the Senior Curator leads the development, care, welfare, and management of the aquarium’s living collection and associated habitats, programs, and systems. The role guides staff and resources and oversees conservation, research, and breeding projects aligned with Academy priorities and Association of Zoos and Aquariums programs.

What you'll do

• Manage managers and biologists, including hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, mentoring, and performance evaluation
• oversee care and management of the living collection, galleries, habitats, and support areas
• develop and oversee conservation and research projects
• coordinate specimen acquisition and transfers
• maintain records, protocols, and standards
• implement collection plans or environmental management programs
• support strategic plans, budgets, programs, and exhibit installations
• coordinate habitat design and renovation
• collaborate on research initiatives
• develop staff and partnerships
• present science and environmental learning programs
• follow safety regulations.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

senior curator

aquarium

animal welfare

living collection

conservation

research

staff leadership

san francisco ca

california academy of sciences

$120k–$130k/year

full-time

40 hours/week

weekend work

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Comprehensive benefits package
• further details discussed during the interview process.

Why this role

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Schedule may include weekends, evenings, and holidays. Requires seven years of relevant paid full-time experience, five years of progressive leadership experience, and a related bachelor’s or master’s degree.

About the employer

California Academy of Sciences is hiring for this role. Industry: Zoos and Botanical Gardens. Sector: 71.