Organization
The Cultured Abalone Farm
Job Description
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White Abalone Hatchery Project Specialist
This position takes place at The Cultured Abalone Farm. You must be located in the Santa
Barbara or Goleta area and have reliable transportation to the farm to fulfill this role.
Job Description:
The White Abalone Hatchery Project Specialist will be joining the hatchery team at The
Cultured Abalone Farm. This position will focus on assisting with the development and
maintenance of a white abalone hatchery facility, with the goal of raising white abalone to
restoration outplanting size. This includes working with the Hatchery and Facilities managers to
facilitate the installation of the drainage system, electrical, the build-out of the white abalone
hatchery, and the assembling of necessary parts and equipment for a functional hatchery. After
installation, this position will perform daily maintenance tasks associated with the white abalone
hatchery.
This position will work closely under the supervision of the Hatchery Manager on
abalone spawning, larval and juvenile husbandry, and general hatchery maintenance for both the
red and white abalone hatchery spaces. Tasks include (but are not limited to) maintaining
excellent water quality and functional recirculating reservoirs, including pumps, filters, and
chillers. Keeping a clean and organized lab space. Husbandry tasks, which include (but are not
limited to) culturing microalgae, feeding abalone, cleaning tanks, repairing tanks, and collecting
data on the abalone. This role will also attend the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program
meetings regarding spawning, larval abalone deliveries, rearing of white abalone and attending
Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration initiative meetings.
This role will additionally take part in general husbandry for production and broodstock
red abalone, including feeding kelp, red seaweed, and assisting in the general hatchery and
around the farm as needed. This position is highly physical in nature and takes place outside
in all types of weather.
About The Cultured Abalone Farm: Our farm was first established in 1989 and sits on the
historic Rancho Dos Pueblos on the Gaviota coast of Santa Barbara County. We raise the native
red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, through their entire life cycle from spawning and larval rearing
in our on-site hatchery to the harvest and delivery of live market-size abalone. We are proud of
our enduring dedication to the stewardship and sustainable farming practices that have earned
our farmed abalone the coveted green rating from Seafood Watch, and we continue to strive to
help restore abalone to its rightful place as an iconic California seafood by supporting
conservation and restoration efforts of all abalone species.
This position takes place at The Cultured Abalone Farm. You must be located in the Santa
Barbara or Goleta area and have reliable transportation to the farm to fulfill this role.
Job Description:
The White Abalone Hatchery Project Specialist will be joining the hatchery team at The
Cultured Abalone Farm. This position will focus on assisting with the development and
maintenance of a white abalone hatchery facility, with the goal of raising white abalone to
restoration outplanting size. This includes working with the Hatchery and Facilities managers to
facilitate the installation of the drainage system, electrical, the build-out of the white abalone
hatchery, and the assembling of necessary parts and equipment for a functional hatchery. After
installation, this position will perform daily maintenance tasks associated with the white abalone
hatchery.
This position will work closely under the supervision of the Hatchery Manager on
abalone spawning, larval and juvenile husbandry, and general hatchery maintenance for both the
red and white abalone hatchery spaces. Tasks include (but are not limited to) maintaining
excellent water quality and functional recirculating reservoirs, including pumps, filters, and
chillers. Keeping a clean and organized lab space. Husbandry tasks, which include (but are not
limited to) culturing microalgae, feeding abalone, cleaning tanks, repairing tanks, and collecting
data on the abalone. This role will also attend the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program
meetings regarding spawning, larval abalone deliveries, rearing of white abalone and attending
Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration initiative meetings.
This role will additionally take part in general husbandry for production and broodstock
red abalone, including feeding kelp, red seaweed, and assisting in the general hatchery and
around the farm as needed. This position is highly physical in nature and takes place outside
in all types of weather.
About The Cultured Abalone Farm: Our farm was first established in 1989 and sits on the
historic Rancho Dos Pueblos on the Gaviota coast of Santa Barbara County. We raise the native
red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, through their entire life cycle from spawning and larval rearing
in our on-site hatchery to the harvest and delivery of live market-size abalone. We are proud of
our enduring dedication to the stewardship and sustainable farming practices that have earned
our farmed abalone the coveted green rating from Seafood Watch, and we continue to strive to
help restore abalone to its rightful place as an iconic California seafood by supporting
conservation and restoration efforts of all abalone species.
Requirements:
● Reliable transportation to The Cultured Abalone Farm (Located off of Dos Pueblos
Canyon Exit 113)
● Experience in animal care, aquaculture, abalone, and/or marine sciences
● Ability to work on your feet for 4-5 hours at a time
● Comfortability with being wet, muddy, and handling live seafood (abalone, urchins, and
seaweeds)
● Ability to work both independently as well as with a team
● Experience in a leadership role, lab management, or project management
● High level of communication
● Attention to detail
● Problem-solving and critical thinking
● Ability to lift 30 pounds above your head
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience working with PVC plumbing systems or developing aquatic systems
● Experience working in a lab setting (pipetting) and following detailed protocols
● Basic Spanish
Compensation: $25-28/hr based on education and experience. This position is full-time
(40hrs/week). Benefits include a competitive healthcare package, sick leave, and PTO. This
position is a 2 year grant funded position, with the possibility of extension.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to
[email protected]
Application Period:
Applications will be accepted between March 1, 2026 until March 20, 2026
● Reliable transportation to The Cultured Abalone Farm (Located off of Dos Pueblos
Canyon Exit 113)
● Experience in animal care, aquaculture, abalone, and/or marine sciences
● Ability to work on your feet for 4-5 hours at a time
● Comfortability with being wet, muddy, and handling live seafood (abalone, urchins, and
seaweeds)
● Ability to work both independently as well as with a team
● Experience in a leadership role, lab management, or project management
● High level of communication
● Attention to detail
● Problem-solving and critical thinking
● Ability to lift 30 pounds above your head
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience working with PVC plumbing systems or developing aquatic systems
● Experience working in a lab setting (pipetting) and following detailed protocols
● Basic Spanish
Compensation: $25-28/hr based on education and experience. This position is full-time
(40hrs/week). Benefits include a competitive healthcare package, sick leave, and PTO. This
position is a 2 year grant funded position, with the possibility of extension.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to
[email protected]
Application Period:
Applications will be accepted between March 1, 2026 until March 20, 2026
FT/PT
Full Time
Application Deadline
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