POSITION SUMMARY:          
Reporting to the Associate Director, the Animal Care Manager is a leader on a team responsible for the development, daily care, welfare, and management of the Aquarium's living collection and all associated habitats, support areas, programs and systems.  The Animal Care Manager instills a culture of respect, trust and accountability within the department and across the Academy.  The Animal Care Manager directly and indirectly manages and supervises biologists, interns and volunteers, including schedules and work assignments.  Provides animal and plant care and support for the Academy's living collection, primarily in the aquatic exhibits, with an emphasis on tropical corals and other marine animals. Work schedules may include holidays, evenings and weekends.

The California Academy of Sciences welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in achieving our mission to explore, explain, and sustain life on Earth. We place diversity, equity, and inclusion at the heart of our recruiting efforts and strive to build a culture centered on mutual respect, equal treatment, and the opportunity to succeed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages a team of biologists including hiring, training, daily supervision, scheduling, mentoring and performance evaluation.
• Assists Curators and Associate Directors in maintaining Steinhart Aquarium protocols, procedures, recordkeeping and standards, and provides recommendations for advancing animal welfare standards and innovations in animal and plant husbandry.
• Provides daily animal care and habitat maintenance including animal feedings, 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.  
• Provides leadership and oversight of the development, daily care and management of the collection and assigned galleries, taxa and habitats within Steinhart Aquarium.
• Motivates, develops and enriches staff with the understanding that our people are our most important asset.
• Maintains accurate records using the department's standardized software programs.
• Actively participates in the animal enrichment and training program.
• Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required.
• Schedules coverage and staffing support for biologist absences due to vacations, extended leaves, expeditions or support for habitat renovations.
• 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.
• Assists in the acquisition of living specimens following the collection plan developed by the Associate Director and Curators, including specimens for display and feeding.
• Assists the Curators and Associate Directors in the implementation of the departmental strategic plan and operating budget, manages programs, projects and new exhibit installation involving the living collection.
• Assists in the design and preparation of new display environments and habitats.
• Helps develop impactful partnerships and programs that support the overarching strategic goals of the Public Engagement and Education Division, and the Academy.
• Participates in relevant Academy committees and workgroups, professional associations and partnerships with outside organizations.
• Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• 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.
• Acts as departmental manager on duty in the absence of the Associate Director and Curators.
• Other duties of a similar scope and nature as otherwise assigned.
• Follows all Academy safety regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
A qualified candidate will possess a combination of the following education and/or equivalent experience:

• A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, or a related field of study.
• Minimum five (5) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or related position(s) in a public aquarium or comparable institution, showing an increase in responsibility and experience.  
• Minimum two (2) years of progressive work experience and leadership in managing projects and/or professional staff.
• Experience working with closed marine and freshwater systems is preferred. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced knowledge of essential animal care and welfare requirements for the living collection.
• Advanced knowledge of cnidarians, specifically corals, is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
• Advanced knowledge of public aquarium/zoo operations, maintenance, record keeping and life support systems.
• Advanced knowledge of natural animal habitats and the ability to duplicate them in a controlled environment.
• Knowledge of record-keeping software such as ZIMS, Formstack and Google Drive.
• Excellent observation, decision making, problem solving and reporting skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and delegate tasks.
• 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 and leader of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect and accountability.
• Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.
• Experience with scientific research projects.
• Extensive experience with exotic animals, aquarium fishes, invertebrates, plants, amphibians, reptiles and/or birds required.
• Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry.
• SCUBA certified or able to attain SCUBA certification, if required.
• Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals. Bilingual (spoken and/or written) in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or other non-English language preferred but not necessary. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:  
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential 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. Must be able to climb ladders and lift 50 lbs.  Must be able to perform repetitive motions 40% of the time.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:  
Please submit your cover letter and resume online at https://calacademy.snaphire.com Note that the recruitment timeline for positions vary and depend on many factors, so it is impossible to accurately predict when a position will close. We appreciate your patience during this process. No phone calls please.

The California Academy of Sciences will consider for employment 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).

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion, marital or domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. 

The California Academy of Sciences is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is also prohibited in Golden Gate Park.