Curatorial Assistant I chez California Academy of Sciences

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

Reporting to the Collection Manager and under supervision, the Curatorial Assistant I performs duties related specifically to marine mammal stranding response and specimen curation with a specific focus on field data and specimen collecting, in particular participating in large whale necropsy response. Responsibilities for this position are diverse and range from simple to moderately complex in nature. This is a part-time temporary on-call position and appointment is one year with the possibility of renewal contingent upon performance and funding availability.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Participates in responses to dead large whale strandings
• Assist with response to beach strandings of dead marine mammals
• May assist with specimen preparation of both field-collected marine mammals and those from the freezers, including identifying, ageing, preparing, and sampling tissues for accessioning into the collections
• Organize specimens in preparation for filing them in the collection
• Learn and implement relevant computer software, when required
• Assist department staff as needed
• May provide assistance to department visitors
• May work with volunteers and interns
• Follow all Academy safety regulations
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

• College-level biology coursework, on the job learning or mentorships/volunteering in biology, museum studies or a closely related field; education or experience in biological field preferred
• Some knowledge of marine mammal collections, nomenclature, and taxonomy desirable
• Ability to responsibly handle delicate or irreplaceable specimens
• Ability to work as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, cross-functional teams and external customers from different identities and experiences
• Ability to travel throughout San Francisco and the larger Bay Area, including to remote sites by operating an Academy owned vehicle (automobile, van or light truck) or personally owned vehicle. Valid California driver's license with clean driving record required.

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. 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 persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, climb ladders, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms (often above shoulder level), talk and hear. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions related to mounting plants and working at a keyboard 80% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this position is $27.64. 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: This is an as-needed, on-call position primarily supporting field work. Hours will vary based on project needs and may range from 0 to 16 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).