Aquarist I

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission.âWe welcome people from all backgrounds into our team and strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ individuals veterans and people with disabilities to apply.

Priority deadline for applications is October 22 2025. Due to the volume of incoming applications the role may be closed earlier than October 22 2025.

Job Summary:

Under moderate supervision care for and maintain our living collection and live animal exhibits with responsibility for overall animal health and well-being water quality of assigned exhibits and galleries routine maintenance of exhibits and associated infrastructure documentation and record-keeping animal and plant acquisitions in the field and population and community management. Work collaboratively with a team of husbandry professionals to manage a gallery of live exhibits and associated holding systems. Maintain the highest animal care and exhibit maintenance standards that continually meet or exceed all AZA accreditation standards. Perform other duties as required.

Core Activities:

• Perform daily animal husbandry duties including but not limited to diet preparation feeding and live exhibit maintenance.
• Conduct regular observations of animal health behavior and welfare to include disease detection and formal animal welfare assessments.
• Monitor and analyze water quality of exhibit animal holding and quarantine systems. Implement changes to husbandry protocols where necessary to maintain accepted water quality parameters.
• Document husbandry tasks animal observations animal health records animal welfare assessments and other pertinent animal transactions into the Tracks software database in accordance with departmental standards.
• Perform exhibit maintenance SCUBA dives.
• Perform collections of plants and animals in the field via tidepool collections plankton tows SCUBA diving and/or boat operations.
• Manage plant and animal communities within assigned live exhibits making routine stocking decisions with general curatorial supervision.
• Perform routine inspection and maintenance on critical water and mechanical systems and equipment including but not limited to fractionators mechanical filters UV sterilizers small pumps recirculation loops and exhibit lighting systems.
• Assist in the design development and construction of exhibits holding aquariums and life support systems.
• Oversee the work of husbandry volunteers interns and more junior husbandry staff members.

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Bachelors Degree in Biology or related field or equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• A minimum of 1 year of animal husbandry experience.
• Ability to work with aquarium chemotherapeutics and other chemicals.
• Ability to perform precise chemical measurements and dosing while adhering to all safety protocols.
• Knowledge of the basic taxonomy of marine fish invertebrates and plants.
• Demonstrated understanding of basic animal food preparation nutrition and feeding techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of water quality chemistry as it pertains to aquarium systems (including the nitrogen cycle pH dissolved gases temperature etc.).
• Understanding of the operation of aquarium life support systems and various mechanical biological and chemical filtration components.
• Basic understanding of fish and invertebrate disease parasites and animal health management and welfare.
• SCUBA certification highly desirable; ability to pass an occupational dive physical highly desirable.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficiency or the ability to quickly learn the Tracks animal database systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and desire to work in a productive team environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Aptitude for analytical and problem-solving.
• Aptitude for using basic hand and power tools.
• Ability to work within and maintain Monterey Bay Aquariums Core Values.

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment basic hand and power tools MBA vehicles small boats
• Extended periods of standing walking climbing bending and squatting
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Typical office main aquarium aquarium exhibits animal care spaces outdoor field work (boats on open ocean coastal habitats tidepools etc.).

Hourly Compensation Range:

$25.00- $28.37 USD per hour. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.