Senior Curator, Aquarium

About the California Academy of Sciences Founded in 1853 , the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof— our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi,  spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling. Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes 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 Director, Senior Curator, Aquarium is 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 Senior Curator is a key member of the Steinhart Aquarium leadership team, collaborating with other leaders to implement the Steinhart strategic plan and manage all staff, spaces, and resources. The Senior Curator oversees conservation, research, and/or breeding projects that align with the Academy’s strategic initiatives and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' programs. The Senior Curator instills a culture of respect, trust and accountability within the department and across the Academy. Work schedule may include weekends, evenings, and holidays. Organizational Culture When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future. We hope you are inspired by what we do and are motivated to contribute to our mission. 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. Key Responsibilities: Manages other managers and a team of biologists including hiring, training, daily supervision, scheduling, mentoring, and performance evaluation. Provides leadership, oversight, and coordination of the development, daily care, and management of the resident collection and assigned galleries, habitats, and behind-the-scenes support areas within Steinhart Aquarium.  Develops and oversees Aquarium conservation and research projects with specific emphasis on those directly related to strategic initiatives and AZA programs, including internal and external collaborations, grant writing, budgeting, data collection, project management, and project reporting.  Coordinates the acquisition and transfer of specimens or similar projects. Maintains accurate records using the department’s standardized software programs. Maintains Steinhart Aquarium protocols, procedures, recordkeeping and standards, and provides recommendations for advancing animal welfare standards and innovations in animal and plant husbandry and/or in environmental data collection and management. Develops and implements the institutional collection plan or an environmental management program and upholds industry best practices and the standards of regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations. Assists with the implementation of the departmental strategic plan and operating budget, manages programs, projects, and new exhibit installation involving the living collection. Coordinates the design and renovation of habitats and development of concepts for displays and habitats, including research and development into novel species and their care, in collaboration with Exhibits Studio and Building Operations, or coordinates the design and renovation of environmental monitoring and response, including research and development of cutting-edge tools and technology to support the care and wellbeing of the collection, in collaboration with the Building Operations and Engineering. Collaborates with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability to advance cross-divisional collaborative research projects and strategic initiatives. Motivates, develops and enriches staff with the understanding that our people are our most important asset and actively helps develop and maintain a departmental culture that promotes trust, respect, accountability and effective conflict-management. Helps develop impactful partnerships and programs that support the overarching strategic goals of the Aquarium and the Academy, and maintains effective working relationships within and outside of the Aquarium and Academy. Participates in relevant Academy committees and workgroups, professional associations and partnerships with outside organizations. Presents science and environmental learning programs to the general public, media and in professional meetings. Interacts with professional colleagues, guests, the media and the general public in a professional manner. Follows all Academy safety regulations. Perform other job-related duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly and indirectly manage and supervise managers, biologists, interns and volunteers, including schedules