Biologist I, Animal Care

California Academy of Sciences • Full-time • San Francisco, California, United States • $56.50k / year • 4d ago

About the Opportunity:

This temporary part-time aquatic position is responsible for providing general animal care, maintenance and support for the Steinhart Aquarium's diverse living collection. This Aquatic Biologist position will provide husbandry support which can include fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. This 24 hour per week position is currently funded for 12 months.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy's mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes 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 are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

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 one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United. Once the Academy has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Cal Academy Workers United this position will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible for the general care and maintenance of one or more of the following: fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptile, amphibian, and plants
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.
Participates in the animal enrichment and training program.
Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required.
Provides backup and support for areas assigned to other staff as the Primary and/or Secondary backup during their normal days off and holidays.
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 Curators and Associate Director, including specimens for display and feeding.
Assists in the design and preparation of new display environments and exhibits.
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:

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.

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this position is $27.07. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. 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.

Please scroll down to "Other details" for this position's hiring range.

Schedule: Temporary Part-time currently funded for 12 months, 24 hours per week with a schedule of Friday-Sunday, 8am-5pm.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

This position will close November 28, 2024 at 9 PM.Review of applications will begin as soon as the position is closed

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, cover letter, and complete the brief online application

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).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here

Other details