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 a department lead, the Part-time Biologist I is responsible for providing animal care for the Steinhart Aquarium’s living collection in various exhibit areas as assigned. Cleans habitats and holding areas, monitors animal and plant health, makes frequent daily rounds, reports suspected animal or water quality problems to a department lead, maintains accurate records. Work schedule will 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. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United, and will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract.

About the Steinhart Aquarium

Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to more than 60,000 live plants and animals, representing more than 1,000 unique species, it offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats. Since 1923, Steinhart Aquarium has developed a colorful history of firsts. From becoming the first public aquarium to display flashlight fish and coconut octopuses to advancing exploration of the ocean’s mysterious “twilight zone,” innovation and scientific excellence are in our DNA. Today, Steinhart continues to shape the role that modern aquariums play in educating and inspiring the public about the biodiversity and sustainability of our oceans and rainforests.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides daily animal and plant care and habitat maintenance including animal feedings, habitat and back of house 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.
• Actively participates in the animal welfare and behavioral husbandry programs.
• Assists in animal treatments and procedures as required.
• Assists in the design and preparation of new display environments and habitats.
• Actively seeks further training with all taxa represented in the living collection.
• Maintains accurate records using the department’s standardized software programs.
• Effectively communicates to the Aquarium management and staff.
• Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Participates in Academy committees and work groups as needed.
• Presents 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.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and Education:

• Previous work (paid or unpaid) experience in an aquarium, zoo or similar facility caring for animals and/or plants required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Aquatic Biology or a related field, preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities:    

• 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.
• Ability to multitask, adapt, and prioritize.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• 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.
• Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.
• Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry.
• Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis.
• Experience with scientific research projects, preferred.

Physical Environment:

• Ability to transport 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time.
• 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.

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.

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly range 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: Part-time temporary, 24hours per week, in-person

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).

The Opportunity:

We are looking for motivated structural biologist to join tour team to support multiple oncology therapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will have previous, hands-on experience in sample preparation, data acquisition and data analysis from both X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. They will apply their expertise to form compound driven complexes, identify, and optimize crystallization/CryoEM conditions with the aim of determining high resolution structural information to drive small molecule design and mechanistic understanding. We’re seeking a team player with enthusiasm to work in an interdisciplinary setting to drive toward new, cutting edge oncology therapeutics. 

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute experiments with the aim of determining small molecule driven multi-protein complex structures by CryoEM and X-ray crystallography.

• Perform cryo-EM grid screening, optimization, data collection and refinement to enable high-quality structure determination.

• Interact with interdisciplinary teams (including chemists, computational chemists, biologists, project teams, and management) and clearly articulate structural data in a broader drug discovery context.

• Maintain excellent records and communication among internal and external colleagues.

• Be driven by a desire to be innovative in a high energy, fast paced environment and work collaboratively with a variety of collegues across the organization.

Required Skills, Experience and Education:

• PhD in structural biology or protein biochemistry or a related scientific discipline with 2-5 years of post-doctoral experience.

• Hands-on experience and expertise in cryo-EM sample optimization and grid preparation, data collection, map generation, and structure determination.

• Strong track record of solving challenging CryoEM problems such as preferred orientation, small proteins/complexes, modeling into low resolution maps, or iterative rounds of protein optimization.

• Hands on experise with modern software packages for data collection, refinement and visualization of structural biology data, and the ability to seamless switch between them based on need (e.g. CryoSPARC, RELION, Phenix, REFMAC, Coot, ChimeraX, Pymol).

• Excellent written, verbal communication, interpersonal and organization skills.

• Conscientious team-player interested in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience and expertise in protein crystallization, crystal optimization and harvesting for data collection.

• Experience with biophysical characterization methods, including mass spectrometry, SEC-MALS, DLS, SPR, NMR and thermal shift assays.

• Experience with protein-protein complexes including antibodies/Fabs, molecular glues, PROTACs, etc.

• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Experience in gene construct design, expression and purification of recombinant proteins. 

  #LI-Hybrid  #LI-LN1

ESA is seeking a mid-level biologist with 2-7 years of experience in relevant scientific or environmental consulting environment.  This is an exempt, full-time, salaried role with hybrid flexible expectations. Qualified candidates must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, vicinity of Sacramento, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Central Valley, or within 3 hours commute.  All qualified candidates must be willing & able to travel as needed. Preference given to candidates located in the bay area and central valley of CA. This role involves travel for site visits, projects, and in-person team collaboration as needed.

Who You Are 

• Qualified candidates should have previous experience performing natural resource-related evaluations, technical studies, analyses and tasks requiring knowledge based on education and at least two years of professional experience. 
• Previous construction compliance monitoring experience required.
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to perform all aspects of biological monitoring on small to large, complex construction projects. Some night and/or weekend work may be assigned. General experience with wildlife and vegetation species from the geographic area of work: California Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
• Qualified candidates must have experience surveying and monitoring CA nesting birds. 
• Preference given to candidates with direct experience surveying, handling, and monitoring for, or with monitoring approvals by state and federal agencies for one or more of the following species: San Joaquin kit fox, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, San Francisco garter snake, giant garter snake, California black rail, western burrowing owl, western spadefoot, vernal pool brachiopods, Swainson’s hawk and/or other nesting birds, Crotch’s bumble bee, and bats.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some early morning, late night and/or weekend work, as well as long hours may be required
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have own transportation to project sites
• Must have a smart phone with sufficient data plan to collect necessary data on-site

What You Will Do for ESA

• Perform biological compliance monitoring and reporting at active construction sites to ensure conformance with environmental/permit requirements
• Conduct special-status species surveys and nesting bird surveys
• Construction compliance monitoring
• Identify and may relocate sensitive species, when needed and if agency-approved
• Effectively communicate with senior ESA staff, construction crews, project personnel, and project management staff
• Take initiative and contribute to a respectful, feedback-driven team culture
• Maintain daily written monitoring and inspection logs, including utilizing electronic data collection tools, such as Fulcrum and Trello
• Enter data into an on-line GIS mapping application, such as Fieldmaps, Collector, Survey 123
• Deliver worker environmental awareness training to on-site staff
• Comply with all safety requirements and policies
• Field work outside, potentially in remote or rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
• Desk-based data processing, technical evaluations, and a range of client deliverables
• Training/mentoring early career biologists
• Other ad hoc tasks as needed

What’s Special About Our Biology Team

Our Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout California. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

We encourage you to read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed. 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

ESA is seeking variable part-time (on-call) field biologists with 5+ years' experience. Qualified candidates must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, vicinity of Sacramento, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Central Valley, or within 3 hours.  All qualified candidates must be willing & able to travel as needed. Preference given to candidates located in the bay area and central valley of CA.  The need for on-call services is expected to be greatest in late summer through fall with periodic work throughout other parts of the year. Additional work beyond this period may be requested. 

Who You Are 

• Qualified candidates should have previous experience performing natural resource-related evaluations, technical studies, analyses and tasks requiring knowledge based on education and at least two years of professional experience. 
• Previous construction monitoring experience required.
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to perform all aspects of biological monitoring on small to large, complex construction projects. Some night and/or weekend work may be assigned. General experience with wildlife and vegetation species from the geographic area of work: California Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
• Qualified candidates must have experience surveying and monitoring CA nesting birds. 
• Preference given to candidates with direct experience surveying, handling, and monitoring for, or with monitoring approvals by state and federal agencies for one or more of the following species: San Joaquin kit fox, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, San Francisco garter snake, giant garter snake, California black rail, western burrowing owl, western spadefoot, vernal pool brachiopods, Swainson’s hawk and/or other nesting birds, Crotch’s bumble bee, and bats.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some early morning, late night and/or weekend work, as well as long hours may be required

What You Will Do for ESA

Preference will be given to candidates with direct experience surveying, handling, and monitoring for, or with monitoring approvals by state and federal agencies for one or more of the following species: San Joaquin kit fox, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, San Francisco garter snake, giant garter snake, California black rail, western burrowing owl, western spadefoot, vernal pool brachiopods, Swainson’s hawk and/or other nesting birds, Crotch’s bumble bee, and bats. Successful candidates will fulfill the following duties:

• Perform biological compliance monitoring and reporting at active construction sites to ensure conformance with environmental/permit requirements
• Conduct special-status species surveys and nesting bird surveys
• Identify and may relocate sensitive species, when needed and if agency-approved
• Effectively communicate with senior ESA staff, construction crews, project personnel, and project management staff
• Take initiative and contribute to a respectful, feedback-driven team culture
• Maintain daily written monitoring and inspection logs, including utilizing electronic data collection tools, such as Fulcrum and Trello
• Enter data into an on-line GIS mapping application, such as Fieldmaps, Collector, Survey 123
• Deliver worker environmental awareness training to on-site staff
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have own transportation to project sites
• Must have a smart phone with sufficient data plan to collect necessary data on-site
• Comply with all safety requirements and policies
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Confident in working outside, potentially in remote or rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
• Other ad hoc tasks as needed

What’s Special About Our Biology Team

Our Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout California. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

We encourage you to read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed. 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

You are eligible to participate in ESA’s sick leave program. You may be eligible to participate in our employee stock ownership program and tax deferred 401(k) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements for these plans.

ESA is seeking variable part-time (on-call) field biologists with 0-5 years experience.  Preference given to candidates with 1+ years of professional experience. Qualified candidates must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, vicinity of Sacramento, Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Central Valley, or within 3 hours.  All qualified candidates must be willing & able to travel as needed. Preference given to candidates located in the bay area and central valley of CA.  The need for on-call services is expected to be greatest in late summer through fall with periodic work throughout other parts of the year. Additional work beyond this period may be requested. 

Who You Are 

• Qualified candidates should have previous experience performing natural resource-related evaluations, technical studies, analyses and tasks requiring knowledge based on education and at least two years of professional experience. 
• Previous construction monitoring experience required.
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to perform all aspects of biological monitoring on small to large, complex construction projects. Some night and/or weekend work may be assigned. General experience with wildlife and vegetation species from the geographic area of work: California Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
• Qualified candidates must have experience surveying and monitoring CA nesting birds. 
• Preference given to candidates with direct experience surveying, handling, and monitoring for, or with monitoring approvals by state and federal agencies for one or more of the following species: San Joaquin kit fox, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, San Francisco garter snake, giant garter snake, California black rail, western burrowing owl, western spadefoot, vernal pool brachiopods, Swainson’s hawk and/or other nesting birds, Crotch’s bumble bee, and bats.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some early morning, late night and/or weekend work, as well as long hours may be required

What You Will Do for ESA

• Perform biological compliance monitoring and reporting at active construction sites to ensure conformance with environmental/permit requirements
• Conduct special-status species surveys and nesting bird surveys
• Identify and may relocate sensitive species, when needed and if agency-approved
• Effectively communicate with senior ESA staff, construction crews, project personnel, and project management staff
• Take initiative and contribute to a respectful, feedback-driven team culture
• Maintain daily written monitoring and inspection logs, including utilizing electronic data collection tools, such as Fulcrum and Trello
• Enter data into an on-line GIS mapping application, such as Fieldmaps, Collector, Survey 123
• Deliver worker environmental awareness training to on-site staff
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have own transportation to project sites
• Must have a smart phone with sufficient data plan to collect necessary data on-site
• Comply with all safety requirements and policies
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Confident in working outside, potentially in remote or rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
• Other ad hoc tasks as needed

What’s Special About Our Biology Team

Our Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout California. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

We encourage you to read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed. 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

You are eligible to participate in ESA’s sick leave program. You may be eligible to participate in our employee stock ownership program and tax deferred 401(k) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements for these plans.

Join Our Thriving Talent Community!

Are you passionate about protecting our planet and advancing environmental science? Whether you're a biologist, planner, scientist, or environmental professional, we invite you to join our vibrant Talent Community!

Why Join Us?

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders and peers to share insights, collaborate on projects, and expand your professional network.
• Career Growth: Access exclusive job opportunities, career development resources, and mentorship programs designed to help you advance in your career.
• Innovative Projects: Be part of groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of sustainability, conservation, and environmental technology.
• Continuous Learning: Stay ahead of the curve with access to the latest industry trends, webinars, workshops, and certifications.
• Culture: ESA culture is built on inclusion, creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to our work, our clients, and our communities.

Get Involved!

• Join Our Events: Visit us and get to know us during our regular events, and conferences to stay connected and inspired.
• Share Your Expertise: Contribute to our community by sharing your knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas.
• Stay Updated: Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news, job postings, and industry insights.

Take Action Today!

Join our Environmental Science Talent Community and be a part of the movement towards a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference. Click the Apply button above to sign up and start your journey with us!