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About the Role

The Animal Health Manager position is based within the Steinhart Aquarium’s Animal Health department, providing veterinary services to the aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences. This role functions with a high degree of independence to ensure daily operations and clinical workflow are effective, efficient, and meet high standards. The manager oversees the on-call team, manages hospital equipment and supplies, oversees the annual medical review process, maintains medical records, and oversees animal transactions. This position instills a culture of respect, trust, and accountability, motivating and developing staff.

Responsibilities

Independently oversees the maintenance, upkeep, and organization of the Veterinary Hospital, ensuring daily operations of the Treatment Room comply with USDA and AZA standards.
Functions independently across all Animal Health Department spaces to provide coverage, leadership, and support.
Works with Veterinarians to hire and onboard on-call veterinarians and Biologists, managing communications, scheduling, and documentation for this team.
Oversees Animal Health departmental inventory needs, including ordering and stocking of supplies, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Manages Hospital daily workflow and the intake and triage of new and emergency medical cases, including initial patient assessment and preparation of appropriate spaces.
Manages the aquarium’s annual medical review of animals and exhibits, reviewing medical records and facilitating inter-departmental meetings to ensure data accuracy and up-to-date records.
Organizes and prepares all incoming and outgoing animal transactions, including confirming permits, initiating communications, arranging transportation, and providing documentation for customs clearance.
Ensures all animal transactions adhere to institutional collection plans and policies.
Effectively communicates animal health treatment and shipment status to Aquarium staff.
Assists with AHD's collaborative efforts with the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS) to advance cross-divisional research projects.
Participates in relevant Academy committees, workgroups, professional associations, and partnerships.
Travels on Aquarium business as required.
Presents science and veterinary programs to the public and conducts tours of the Hospital.
Follows all Academy and departmental safety procedures, including biosecurity protocols.
Actively contributes to a departmental culture that promotes trust, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Follows all Academy safety regulations.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in California or ability to obtain within 24 months of employment.
At least five (5) years of paid full-time animal/plant husbandry or related position(s) in a public aquarium or zoo, or comparable institution, showing an increase in responsibility.
Advanced working knowledge of veterinary hospital philosophy and operations, including anesthesia, treatment, welfare, and associated equipment.
Advanced working knowledge of public aquarium and zoo operations, including quarantine functions, facility maintenance, and life support systems.
Advanced working knowledge of natural animal habitats and their replication in controlled environments.
Knowledge of professional museum and zoo registration methods and collection management standards.
Knowledge of inventory accession, record-keeping practices, and zoological nomenclature.
Knowledge of laws regulating animal acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards, and transportation (desirable).
Experience with computers, Google suite, and animal recordkeeping software (e.g., ZIMS, Tracks).
Ability to collect and collate information into concise reports.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Exceptional proficiency in medical and husbandry record keeping.
Advanced working knowledge of USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.
Advanced working knowledge of chemistry and biology as applied to animal health, diagnostics, and water quality.
Ability to work weekends and holidays on a routine basis.
Excellent observation skills.
Effective organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to multitask, adapt, and prioritize.
Ability to work as a member of a team and engage in a culture that promotes trust, respect, and accountability.
Willingness to seek further training in animal and plant husbandry.
Ability to complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
Ability to read and interpret departmental protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to utilize web-based communication and collaboration applications.
Ability to transport 50 lbs.
Ability to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time.
Ability to work comfortably with or within the sight of blood and other organic fluids.
Ability to work comfortably with or within the sight of needles and other diagnostic medical equipment.
Ability to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
Ability to work a computer.
Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
Ability to swim.
Ability to use extension poles, long-handled nets and shepherd’s hooks.
Ability to work with, or adjacent to, venomous and dangerous animals.

Skills

Veterinary hospital operations
Anesthesia
Animal treatment
Animal welfare
Public aquarium and zoo operations
Quarantine functions
Facility maintenance
Life support systems
Natural animal habitats
Museum and zoo registration methods
Collection management standards
Inventory accession
Record-keeping practices
Zoological nomenclature
Animal acquisition laws
Animal disposition laws
Animal exhibition laws
Animal husbandry standards
Animal transportation laws
Computer proficiency
Google Suite
Animal recordkeeping software (ZIMS, Tracks)
Information collection and collation
Report writing
Verbal communication
Written communication
Attention to detail
Organizational skills
Medical record keeping
Husbandry record keeping
USDA standards
AZA standards
Chemistry
Biology
Animal health diagnostics
Water quality
Observation skills
Problem solving
Multitasking
Adaptability
Prioritization
Teamwork
Trust building
Respectful communication
Accountability
Continuous improvement
CPR/AED/First Aid
Web-based communication
Web-based collaboration
SCUBA certification (preferred)
ZIMS
Formstack
Google Drive
Scientific research projects

Location

San Francisco, California

Work Type

Full-Time
Hybrid

Experience Level

5+ years of experience

Education Level

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine or Aquatic Biology, Chemistry, or a related field of study (preferred)

Salary/Compensations

$75,000.00 - $83,000.00

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

About the Company

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, featuring a planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum.
Its mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
The Academy houses extensive collections of plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts.
It is a diverse team of scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators.
The Academy values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.
The Academy has a new strategic plan with three initiatives: Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030.
The Academy encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Equal Opportunity

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).