Assistant Collections Manager, Botany

Position: Assistant Collections Manager Botany

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: GANTZ Family Collections Center

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical dental vision plans and even pet insurance.

• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off paid sick leave and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.

• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

Were dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!

The Field Museum of Natural History has an opening in the Gantz Family Collections Center for an Assistant Collection Manager (Botany & Mycology with a focus on Seed Plants). The Field Museums Searle Herbarium is the fifth largest in the Western Hemisphere and houses 2.5 million accessioned flowering plant specimens including nearly 40000 types. Representation is worldwide but particularly strong in tropical Central and South America. The Central American material is overall one of the worlds finest single collections with special strengths in Guatemala Honduras and Costa Rica. The South American collections are important with special strengths in Venezuela Colombia Ecuador and Peru. A good representation in North American taxa is found especially for Missouri and addition the Field Museum curates an extensive collection of approximately 2000 dried fruits large seeds bark and other plant parts that generally are not accommodated on herbarium specimens. The gymnosperm collection consists of approximately 12000 collections 1000 cones and 41 types.

The Assistant Collection Manager reports to the Collections Manager(s) or a Collections Head and is expected to assist with day-to-day aspects of collections care curation and operations and is assigned to specific projects as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the collection during short-term absence of Collections Manager(s)
• Maintain clean safe and organized collections storage work and lab areas
• Assist with managing developing and evaluating digitization efforts including transcription of catalog and label data imaging specimens and items georeferencing and collections inventory
• Actively participate in museum-wide collections database working group
• Support accurate timely and detailed record-keeping related to collections using the Museums collections management system and help ensure collections data and metadata are discoverable
• Work with and digitize specialized and complex collections data
• Assist with processing accessions and acquisitions as well as deaccessions
• Assist with management of day-to-day physical and operational aspects of lab(s) and collection including but not limited to engaging with Facilities and Protection Services
• Understand and implement best practices and community standards for physical and digital collections care and curation
• Track and report metrics of collections use and growth
• Work with Collections Manager(s) to facilitate an active domestic and international loan program and on-site use of the collection by researchers exhibitions and visiting communities
• Participate in the Museums Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)
• Assist with collections reorganization efforts and other priority projects in Collections as needed
• Help train mentor and work with interns volunteers and technicians
• Support the Museums public and education programming and promote the mission of the Museum and its fundraising goals

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and minimum three years herbarium collections experience (or equivalent) (Masters degree in scientific area related to collection preferred)
• Familiarity with botanical collections and research
• Working knowledge of basic taxonomic or identification principles and collections management
• Proficiency with preparing housing accessioning and cataloging of materials
• Ability to work with a variety of preservation chemicals associated with herbaria
• Strong organizational skills necessary to keep collections accessible
• Attention to detail
• Demonstrated proficiency with collections databasing is required
• Familiarity with imaging systems is preferred
• Proficient knowledge of and experience with international and domestic regulations for acquisition and shipment of specimens and requirements for packing loans
• Knowledge of basic word-processing and spreadsheet software required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required
• Ability to read cursive handwriting desired
• Ability to work well with others and independently
• Capacity for problem solving

Supervision Received:

General supervision from Collection Manager(s) and Head of Collection

Supervision Exercised:

The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Hours:

35 hours/weekly

Hybrid Eligibility:

Not eligible

Union Representation:

This position is represented by Field Museum Workers United AFSCME Council 31 AFL-CIO.

Pay Range: $28.50/Hourly

PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination embracing diversity and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application participating in interviews or any other part of the selection process please reach out to us at .

Required Experience:

Manager