Collection Manager II, Section of Mammals

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
 

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The position’s primary responsibilities involve the physical care, maintenance, and preservation of collections of the Section of Mammals. This collection is a research collection consisting of more than 120,361 specimens covering 24 of the 26 living orders of mammals and 114 of the 136 recent families. The majority of specimens are skins and skulls (and some skeletons) but include a corresponding frozen tissue collection of more than 19,000 samples.

A portion of this work will be dedicated to innovating and/or implementing modern storage techniques within the collection and increasing its visibility and utility. Requests for collection visits, loans, data, and images will be handled in a timely manner with appropriate documentation for the collection. Collaboration with curators and conservators will be undertaken to propose, develop, and apply for grants related to collection care and/or data management. Outreach will include roles within the larger museum community, including development (e.g., participation in donor cultivation activities such as collection tours), exhibits, education, marketing and communications, media requests, and internal public lectures. Service is expected to be at a high level both within the museum and within the disciplinary community, and professional development activities will be undertaken to further knowledge of collection stewardship. Limited mammalogy research activity will be allowed at the discretion of the Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• The successful candidate will have a graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in mammalogy or a closely related field AND at least five years of work experience involving day-to-day management of collections including physical care, maintenance and preservation, and data and records management, including experience using collection content management systems.
•  Evidence of effective science communication and project management is also required.
• A proven track record of improvement, development, promotion, and maximized use of collections is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Candidates with a strong knowledge of both scientific principles and the techniques, procedures, best practices, and professional standards for specimen preparation (including dermestid husbandry), specimen handling (including frozen tissues), and scientific data management are preferred.
• An understanding of relevant domestic and international regulatory laws and compliance procedures related to mammalogy collections is required.
• Collection managers must have the ability to both work independently and supervise volunteers and/or student workers on large, iterative tasks over lengthy periods of time.
•  Necessary computer skills include word processing, spreadsheets, image editing, and collection management databases.
• The ability to take high quality digital 2D and 3D images of specimens is a plus.
• Collection managers must be able to work collaboratively and must establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• The collection manager must have the capability to identify and prioritize needs within the collection, propose modern solutions to meet those needs, and collaborate with curators and conservators to develop and apply for grants related to collections care and data management.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle specimens and operate tools or controls and use arms to reach. Drawers and shelving to be manipulated will be located up to 120 inches high (employee may use step stool or ladder). The employee is occasionally required to climb (stairs, ladders, stepstools) or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee performs duties in a wide variety of settings including office, collection area, and public galleries. The noise level in the work environment will vary accordingly.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds alone and 50 pounds assisted.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The physical work environment includes exposure to chemical and physical hazards that require personal protective equipment. Employee must be willing to take annual tests for the use of respirators. Examples of chemical hazards include hazards inherent to specific collections such as toxic preservatives. Examples of physical hazards include noise hazards from hand tools and equipment, fall hazards from use of ladders and lifts; and ergonomic hazards such as repetitive motion.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Maintenance, organization, and growth of the Mammals collection: For the existing collections (including archives and library materials), the collection manager must maintain a database(s) of specimens/objects within the Mammals collection and monitor their storage conditions, including but not limited to temperature and humidity levels, pest infestation, and cleanliness. Collection Manager must also handle the receipt and cataloging of new specimens and be familiar with and comply with the museum collections management policy. Collaboration with curators and conservators must be undertaken to propose, develop, and apply for grants related to collection care and/or data management. Collection Manager is expected to develop, implement, and train others in best management practices for direct care of collections.

• Data management: All specimens must be recorded, and records should be complete and clear. A complete inventory of the collection should be maintained. A significant amount of effort must be dedicated to increasing the visibility and utility of the collections.

• User services: Schedules and assists collection visitors. Requests for loans, data, and images must be handled in a timely manner with appropriate documentation.

• Outreach: Includes roles within the larger museum community, including development, exhibits, education, marketing and communications, media requests, and internal public lectures.

• Service and professional development: Both internal (e.g., section administration, support for activities in other departments such as committee work) and external service (e.g., professional society membership and officer positions, consultations, peer review) is expected to be at a high level. Professional development activities must be undertaken to further knowledge of collections management.

• Other duties as assigned.

Expected starting pay range, based on experience, $52,000 - $56,000.