Director of Animal Care

NorCal Aquarium and Wildlife Adventures

$80,000 Salary + Bi-Weekly & Monthly Bonuses | Lead the Entire Animal Program

This is not a typical animal care role.

This is your opportunity to run the entire animal program at a growing, high-energy facility —to lead a team, set the standard, and directly impact the lives of animals, your team, and every guest who walks through our doors.

At NorCal Aquarium and Wildlife Adventures, the Director of Animal Care/ Senior Husbandry Curator is the top animal-care leader on site . You own the floor. You lead the people. You set the standard.

If you’re ready to step into a role where your decisions matter daily—and your leadership truly drives outcomes—we want to talk to you.

What You’ll Own:

Leadership & Operations:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 8–15 Animal Keepers and Husbandry staff.
• Own all daily animal care operations, including immersion experiences and on-floor execution.
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to high standards.
• Drive training, onboarding, and skill development across all animal care roles.
• Build schedules and assign coverage based on skill level and operational needs.
• Act as the primary decision-maker for day-to-day operations and team direction.

Animal Welfare & Program Excellence:

• Set and maintain the standard for exceptional animal welfare and habitat quality.
• Oversee daily welfare checks, enrichment programs, and husbandry routines.
• Execute and oversee veterinary care plans in partnership with veterinarians.
• Maintain accurate animal health records and ensure documentation compliance.
• Lead animal introductions, transfers, and operational adjustments.

Veterinary & Clinical Leadership:

• Serve as the primary on-site partner for veterinarians and clinical teams.
• Oversee ongoing medical cases and ensure proper follow-through.
• Support and execute treatments, procedures, and recovery plans.
• Escalate concerns quickly and make informed, confident decisions.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management:

• Own all regulatory interactions (USDA, local agencies, veterinary oversight, ZAA best practices).
• Lead incident response for animal, guest, and team member safety.
• Ensure full compliance with all SOPs, documentation, and inspection standards.
• Proactively identify risks and take action before issues arise.

Operational & Business Ownership:

• Manage animal care resources, inventory, and supply needs.
• Operate within budget while maintaining high standards.
• Provide updates, reporting, and insights to senior leadership.
• Think critically about how to improve systems, storytelling, and guest engagement.

What You Bring:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Zoology, Animal Behavior, or related field.
• Strong, hands-on experience in animal husbandry (zoo, aquarium, or exotic animal setting).
• Proven leadership experience—this role requires confident decision-making and team management.
• Experience executing veterinary care plans and working alongside clinical teams.
• Strong understanding of animal welfare standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, guest-facing environment.

Preferred:

• Veterinary technician certification or clinical background.
• Experience in immersive or guest-interaction-focused facilities.
• Experience with USDA inspections, audits, or regulatory oversight.

What Success Looks Like?

• Your team is trained, confident, and consistently performing at a high level.
• Animal welfare standards are not just met—they’re elevated.
• Operations run smoothly, even in high-volume, fast-paced conditions.
• You make strong, informed decisions and take ownership of outcomes.
• Guests leave having experienced something meaningful and memorable.

Work Environment:

• Hands-on, highly active role with significant time spent on the floor.
• Fast-paced, guest-facing environment with shifting priorities.
• Requires flexibility, including weekends, holidays, and emergency response.

Why This Role Stands Out?

• $80,000 base salary + strong bi-weekly and monthly bonus opportunities.
• True leadership ownership—you run the animal program at your site.
• Opportunity to build, shape, and elevate a growing facility.
• Work alongside a passionate, mission-driven team.
• Make a direct, visible impact on animal welfare, team development, and guest experience.