Mammalogist I

Monterey Bay Aquarium•Monterey, CA

1d•$25 - $28

About The Position

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. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Priority deadline for applications is February 9, 2026. Due to the volume of incoming applications, the role may be closed earlier than February 9, 2026. Job Summary: Under moderate supervision, care for and maintain our sea otter collection and sea otter exhibit, with responsibility for overall animal health and well-being, routine maintenance of exhibit and associated infrastructure, documentation and record-keeping, animal training and enrichment, public sea otter training sessions, and support of our sea otter surrogacy program. Work collaboratively with a team of husbandry professionals in the management of our sea otter collection and infrastructure. Maintain the highest animal care and exhibit maintenance standards that continually meet or exceed all AZA accreditation standards. Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Must possess, or be able to obtain within the first 3 months of employment, a valid California driver's license in order to operate Monterey Bay Aquarium vehicles
Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Biology or related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
A minimum of 1 year of animal husbandry experience, preferably in the care of marine mammals
Knowledge of the basic taxonomy and natural history of marine mammals
Demonstrated understanding of basic animal food preparation, nutrition, and feeding techniques
Knowledge of training principles and operant conditioning techniques focused on positive reinforcement.
Knowledge of animal enrichment programs.
Demonstrated understanding of USDA/APHIS guidelines and regulations of marine mammals including but not limited to water quality/chemistry, housing standards, and sanitation as it pertains to marine mammal guidelines per the AWA (including the bacteria counts, salinity, temperature, etc.)
Understanding of the operation of aquarium life support systems and various mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration components
Demonstrated understanding of marine mammal animal health management and welfare with emphasis on sea otters
SCUBA certification highly desirable; ability to pass an occupational dive physical highly desirable; ability to dive in full face masks
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
Proficiency or the ability to quickly learn the Tracks animal database system
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

Responsibilities

Perform daily animal husbandry duties including but not limited to diet preparation, feeding, and live exhibit maintenance.
Participate in formal otter training sessions and maintain established behaviors of sea otter collection.
Train new behaviors under the guidance/supervision of more senior staff.
Conduct behavioral enrichment including implementation, monitoring/observation, recording/documentation, and/or development of species-appropriate enrichment.
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.
Conduct regular observations of animal health, behavior, and welfare to include detection of health issues and the conduction of formal animal welfare assessments.
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.
Monitor and analyze water quality of exhibit, animal holding, and quarantine systems.
Facilitate capture and restraint of mammals for onsite health examinations or transports.
Perform maintenance SCUBA dives for sea otter exhibit.
Oversee the work of husbandry volunteers, interns, and more junior husbandry staff members.