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.
Core Activities:
- 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.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
- 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
- Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values
- 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
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, open 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.
