Payroll Title:
MUSEUM SCI Department:
AQUARIUM-MUSEUM Hiring Pay Scale
$34.82 - $38.43/ Hour Worksite:
SIO Appointment Type:
Career Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
RX Contract Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, 8 hrs/day, Sunday -Thurs

#141582 Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist
Filing Deadline: Mon 10/19/2026
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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a non-profit exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. The aquarium showcases over 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates. The interactive museum features research discoveries by Scripps scientists and engages visitors of all ages.Our goal is to promote conservation efforts that protect our ocean planet. We educate visitors on how our world works and inspire them to become stewards of the planet. Our conservation efforts are based on scientific research, and we aim to connect people with nature and with a shared sense of responsibility to care for our planet Earth.

Website: aquarium.ucsd.edu

Location: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Curator of Birds, the Senior Penguin and Animal Ambassador Aquarist is a dynamic role encompassing a wide range of responsibilities essential for the health, welfare, and sustainability of Birch Aquarium's animal ambassador programs, including, but not limited to, bird, reptile and aquatic collection husbandry and enrichment. This position combines direct animal care, health management, husbandry leadership, acquisition planning, and professional representation of the institution. The Senior Aquarist ensures exceptional standards of animal health and husbandry, develops and enforces biosecurity protocols, and provides technical training for staff. Leadership responsibilities include supporting and training aquarists, providing work direction to student employees and interns, and coordinating with veterinarians and the Curatorial team. This position ensures compliance with local, state, federal, USDA and AZA standards is upheld across animal areas.

The role also extends into aquatic animal life support and water quality operations, scientific diving, and habitat maintenance, as well as research, outreach, and professional communication on behalf of the aquarium. The Senior Aquarist plays a lead role in the enrichment and animal ambassador program as well as acquisition and transfer of specimens. Must maintain institutional goals, regulatory compliance, animal welfare, and long-term exhibit and collection planning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in biological science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Experience in management of staff, volunteers, programs, or projects at zoo, aquarium, or related facility
• Four (4) or more years of hands-on experience in penguin, reptile, and bird husbandry within a zoo, aquarium, or similar facility.
• Knowledge of penguin, bird, reptile quarantine, medical protocols, disease diagnosis, treatment, and medications.
• Ability to provide excellence in guest engagement, public and media related activites
• Ability to coordinate animal enrichment across diverse taxa - aquatic and terrestrial
• Demonstrated understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering aspects of maintaining biological systems.
• Proven experience in the acquisition, collection and transport of penguins and terrestrial animals
• Demonstrated knowledge of aquarium life support systems, e.g. temperature sensors, O2, ORP, filters, compressed air, plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical
• Demonstrated knowledge of water quality testing and analysis of aquarium systems
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in the event of animal emergency
• SCUBA certification required. Rescue diver certification preferred.
• Knowledge of Animal record keeping- ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) preferred.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work weekends, occasional nights, major holidays, during other staff's absence, and to respond to emergencies.
• SCUBA certification required. Rescue diver certification preferred. Will accept basic open water certification but must acquire AAUS Scientific Diver certification (Scripps Institution of Oceanography dive class) within 6 months.
• Must have valid California driver's license and have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures. Operates University vehicle to transport animals, equipment procurement and may require emergency response during and after work hours in a timely manner to address critical animal and life support systems issues.

Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18); completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) training will be required. Must meet CANRA compliance requirement per California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA, Penal Code sections 11164-11174.4). Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $68,466 - $110,142 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $32.79 - $52.75

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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