Curatorial Assistant II

Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join Harvard University Central Administration Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals. Job Description Join a dynamic team of curators committed to the collections at Harvard University’s tree museum. Steeped in history, 152 years of records and objects are ready for discovery, stewardship, and development. The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants. Founded in 1872 and designed by America's first landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, and the Arboretum's first director, Charles Sprague Sargent, the 281‑acre Arboretum is an historic landmark and one of the best preserved of Olmsted's landscapes. A unique blend of beloved public landscape and respected research institution, the Arboretum provides and supports world‑class research, horticulture, and education programs that foster the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of woody plants. Along with a horticultural library and herbarium encompassing some 1.5 million dried plant specimens, the Arboretum comprises one of the largest and best documented woody plant collections in the world, with over 16,000 living plants. Job‑Specific Responsibilities Herbarium of Cultivated Plants – Supports care and maintenance of over 120,000 specimens in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants and Dried Emerging Leaves Collection. Responsibilities include gathering and mounting new vouchers, label preparation, databasing, barcoding, digitization, and insertion. Scouting for and repairing damaged specimens, maintaining organization, monitoring for pest infestations, and managing rotational freezing and silica refresh schedules are also required. The assistant assists visitors and scholars, handles digitization and loans of specimens, and transports or ships specimens and supplies to the Harvard University Herbaria in Cambridge when needed. Living Collections Inventory – Assists with the annual inventory of plants in permanent collections and the Dana Greenhouse and nursery. Tasks include producing accurate plant inventories, reviewing records in the institutional plant collections database BG‑BASE, maintaining display labels, and, during peak periods, assisting with accessioning and related tasks. Other Duties as Assigned – Includes data entry, records review and audits, and special curatorial projects related to the Arboretum’s living collections and plant records archives. The assistant serves as a key informational resource to staff, visiting scholars, students, and the public. This is a 100% on‑site position, 35 hours/week, Monday‑through‑Friday schedule. Working Conditions Must conduct work outdoors in various weather scenarios and plant collections. Must not be squeamish around insects. Must drive an Arboretum vehicle from site to site when necessary. Physical Requirements Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds. Must walk and stand for up to three hours at a time in indoor and outdoor conditions. Basic Qualifications A minimum of one (1) year of experience in a related field. Ability to drive Arboretum vehicles in the landscape. Must conduct inventories of outdoor/indoor plant collections and collect herbarium vouchers throughout the year. Additional Qualifications and Skills Bachelor’s degree with coursework in botany, horticulture, or a related field preferred. Work experience in plant records/curation at a public garden or herbarium preferred. Preferred candidate is self‑motivated, communicates effectively, multitasks, works independently and collaboratively, and applies critical thinking and curiosity to solve problems. Additional Information Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week. Visa sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship. Pre‑employment screening: reference and background screenings, identity and RMV check for valid driver's license. Other information: 3‑month orientation and review period. Work Format Details This position must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location; candidates must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. Salary Grade and Ranges This position is salary grade level 051. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. Benefits Generous paid time off including parental leave. Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one. Retirement plans with university contributions. Wellbeing and mental health resources. Support for families and caregivers. Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement. Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks. Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition