California Academy of Sciences Layoff — June 2026

The California Academy of Sciences announced it is implementing staffing and budget reductions to address a recurring deficit, including the layoff of 53 staff (about 9.3% of the workforce). Those affected include 37 union-represented employees and 16 non-union employees; an additional 32 positions are being offered new roles or having hours reduced. The Academy cited a projected FY25 cash deficit exceeding $8.0M driven by building and facilities costs, care for live animals and large scientific collections, declining tourism and post-pandemic shifts in audience behavior, and slower revenue growth. Leadership said the reductions aim to balance the budget in the near term while protecting visitor experience, education, and scientific research, and affected staff have been provided severance or notified of role changes.

California Academy of Sciences disclosed this layoff in an official WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice recorded by the CA state workforce agency on April 28, 2026. The notice covers 53 employees in Music Concourse Drive San Francisco, CA (San Francisco County), with the layoff effective June 29, 2026.

That is roughly 21.2% of the 250 people California Academy of Sciences employs.

LayoffTalk has tracked 6 layoff events at California Academy of Sciences since May 2026, including 53 jobs documented in official WARN filings, with 5 additional events known from news reporting.