Job opportunities

Working at the Aquarium is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of something big. Discover how you can join our mission of inspiring ocean conservation.

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What sets us apart

We're an inclusive, committed, diverse group of people who collaborate.
We're passionate about learning more and doing more to better our world.
We're all dedicated to conservation of the ocean.

Find your next career

We have hundreds of employees with different skills and jobs, but all support our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean. Our departments:

Two African penguind being fed by a husbandry staff member

A pile of fuzzy purple sand dollars on the sandy seafloor

A staff member looking through a telescope searching for sea otters in the ocean behind them

Two people wearing blue Aquarium vests stand in front of a sign that reads Membership and Tours

A staff member and a young student in the Bechtel Education Center working on some ocean work and other students in the background

Visitors gaze at glowing bioluminescent creatures projected across a dark wall in the Into the Deep exhibit

Front entrance of the Monterey Bay Aquarium with a few visitors outside walking towards the doors

Crowd of visitors watches a presentation in front of the towering kelp forest exhibit

Close-up of sea otter Ruby with a paw raised near its face, looking upward

An arial view of most of the Aquarium staff standing in the Aquarium entrance

Two purple-striped jellies floating side-by-side in the Open Sea exhibit

Animal Care (husbandry operations, marine operations, veterinary services)

Business Operations (finance and accounting)

Conservation & Science (global ocean conservation, policy and advocacy, sea otter program, science and research)

Membership & Development (membership, development, fundraising)

Education (education program strategy and education operations)

Exhibitions (content, design, projects and production)

Facilities Operations (applied water science, campus maintenance, planning and construction)

Guest Experience (interpretive programs, operations, security, safety, emergency management)

Marketing (brand and design, communications, content strategy, performance marketing, strategic partnerships, business development, public affairs)

People & Culture (employee and labor relations, learning and development, benefits and wellness, DEIA, talent acquisition)

Technology & Innovation (digital product development, enterprise technology)

Video

The best job ever!

Dive deep and meet the people behind the scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. From taking care of our animals and exhibits to hosting events, find out what—and who—it takes to run a place like the Aquarium.

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As an employer, we celebrate and embrace diversity

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.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion doesn’t end with the recruitment process. We hire, train, compensate, develop, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, age, physical ability, or veteran status.

In addition, the Aquarium offers a variety of programs to cultivate and preserve an environment where employees feel inspired to share their experiences and ideas. We encourage employees to participate in our Diversity Committee, join an employee affinity group, participate in group discussions or book clubs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and more. We want every employee to share in our commitment to show respect for all, build relationships, learn, and grow.

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Compensation and benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Floating holidays, vacation, and sick time
A 403(b) retirement plan
Flexible work options
A wellness program
Learning and development opportunities
Discounts at our cafe—which serves local, sustainable, and organic foods
Support for alternative transportation

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Interested in a food or retail job at the Aquarium?

For job openings in food and retail, please email Service Systems Associates at mbastorejobs@mbayaq.org.

Our location

Our purpose-driven work—to inspire ocean conservation—takes place in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, where even the view reminds us of our impact. Nestled on the shores of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Monterey offers a mild climate and endless ocean activities. The San Francisco Bay Area lies a few hours north, including San Jose (70 miles) and San Francisco (150 miles), while Big Sur, 30 miles south, offers state parks perfect for hiking, camping, and beachcombing.

Learn more about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Meet our staff

It takes hundreds of people to fulfill the mission of the Aquarium—from exhibit designers to aquarists, researchers, engineers, science communicators, and more. Learn what it's like to work at the Aquarium through our staff stories.