On Call Aquarium Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

The Animal Health Manager position is based within the Steinhart Aquarium's Animal Health department, which provides veterinary services to the aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences. This position reports to the Senior Veterinarian. This position functions with a high degree of independence to ensure that the daily operations and clinical workflow of the Hospital and other AHD spaces is effective, efficient, and at a high standard. This person also oversees the on-call team for AHD, including relief veterinarians and on-call Animal Health Biologists.This person is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment and upkeep of supplies within the Hospital spaces. The Animal Health Manager is also responsible for independently managing the aquarium's annual medical review process, overseeing and maintaining medical records, and overseeing incoming and outgoing animal transactions. The Animal Health Manager instills a culture of respect, trust and accountability within the department and across the Academy. This person motivates, develops and enriches staff with the understanding that our people are our most important asset. The work schedule may 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.

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently oversees the maintenance, upkeep, and organization of the Veterinary Hospital. Is responsible for the daily operations of the Treatment Room, including overall space upkeep to remain in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards. 
• Functions independently across all Animal Health Department spaces - including Aquatic Medical room, Aquatic Quarantine room, Terrestrial Quarantine room, and Pathology room - in order to provide coverage, leadership, and support to other team members as needed.
• Works with the Veterinarians to hire and onboard on-call veterinarians and Biologists for the Animal Health department, and then manages communications with this coverage team. This includes scheduling of relief shifts, providing support for all legal and accounting documentation (e.g., submission of W-9 documents to Payroll), and management of timesheets and invoicing.  
• Oversees Animal Health departmental inventory needs, including ordering and stocking of supplies, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. 
• Is able to oversee Hospital daily workflow and manage the intake and triage of new and emergency medical cases: coordinates directly with Animal Care staff, performs initial patient assessment, can perform basic non-invasive and non-anesthetic veterinary diagnostics, and can preemptively prepare appropriate medical or quarantine spaces to receive a potential case.   
• Is responsible for managing the aquarium's annual medical review of animals and exhibits. Works with minimal oversight and supervision to review medical records, facilitate meetings between Animal Care, Animal Health, Water Quality, and Commissary staff to capture and update the most recent data as it pertains to the current habitats and collections. Then independently ensures that all medical records are kept up to date and in accordance with the best practices and industry standards established by the AZA.
• Organizes and prepares all incoming and outgoing animal transactions (shipments and purchases), including confirming permits, initiating communications for transfer of animals, arranging transportation logistics, and providing documentation for customs clearance.
• Ensures that all animal transactions adhere to institutional collection plans and policies.
• Effectively communicates animal health treatment and shipment status to the Aquarium staff on a routine basis.
• Assists collaborative efforts of AHD with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS) to advance cross-divisional collaborative research projects. Helps develop impactful partnerships and programs that support the overarching strategic goals of the Steinhart Aquarium and the Academy.
• Participates in relevant Academy committees and workgroups, as well as professional associations and partnerships with outside organizations. Travels on Aquarium business as required.
• Presents science and veterinary programs to the general public as needed. Conducts general tours of the Hospital and its support spaces as scheduled.
• Follows all Academy and departmental safety procedures, including implementation and maintenance of biosecurity protocols as established for appropriate spaces.
• Actively contributes to a departmental culture that promotes trust, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Follows all Academy safety regulations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education:

Required:

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of California (or equivalent out of state) or the ability to obtain California RVT licensure within 24 months of employment.
• Must have completed at least five (5) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or related position(s) in a public aquarium or zoo, or comparable institution, showing an increase in responsibility and experience during the time.

Preferred:

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Chemistry, or a related field of study is preferred.

Skills and Abilities:  

Required:             

• Advanced working knowledge of veterinary hospital philosophy and operations including the concepts, principles, and practices of anesthesia, treatment, welfare, and the associated equipment and techniques to provide the aforementioned.
• Advanced working knowledge of public aquarium and zoo operations, including quarantine functions, facility maintenance, and life support systems.
• Advanced working knowledge of natural animal habitats and the ability to evaluate, maintain, and help replicate them in controlled environments such as zoos and aquariums. 
• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of professional museum and zoo registration methods and collection management standards.
• Knowledge of inventory accession, record-keeping practices, and zoological nomenclature.
• Knowledge of the laws regulating animal acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards, and transportation within the U.S. and abroad is desirable. 
• Experience with computers, Google suite and similar workplace applications, and animal recordkeeping software (e.g., ZIMS, Tracks).
• Ability to collect and collate information from a variety of sources into concise and accurate reports.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional proficiency in medical and husbandry record keeping.
• Advanced working knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
• Advanced working knowledge of chemistry and biology as applied to animal health, diagnostics, and water quality.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis.
• Excellent observation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational and problem solving skills.
• Ability to multitask, adapt, and prioritize.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect, and accountability.
• Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry.
• Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.

Preferred:

• SCUBA certified or able to attain SCUBA certification if required.
• Knowledge of record-keeping software such as ZIMS, Formstack, and Google Drive.
• 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.
• Must be able to work comfortably with or within the sight of blood and other organic fluids. 
• Must be able to work comfortably with or within the sight of needles and other diagnostic medical equipment.
• 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 $75,000.00- $83,000.00. 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/Hybrid up to 8 hours of remote work, 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).