Assistant Collections Manager, Botany

Field Museum•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Field Museum of Natural History is hiring an Assistant Collections Manager for Botany and Mycology, with a focus on seed plants, in the Gantz Family Collections Center. The position supports the day-to-day care, curation, and operation of the collection and undertakes assigned projects. The Field Museum’s Searle Herbarium contains approximately 2.5 million accessioned flowering plant specimens, including nearly 40,000 types, as well as extensive collections of dried fruits, seeds, bark, and other plant parts. Its gymnosperm collection includes approximately 12,000 collections, 1,000 cones, and 41 types. The Assistant Collections Manager reports to the Collections Manager(s) or a Collections Head. The role receives general supervision from the Collections Manager(s) and Head of Collection and has no direct supervisory responsibilities. The position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO. It is not eligible for hybrid work and has a 35-hour workweek. Pay is $28.50 per hour.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of herbarium collections experience, or equivalent.
Familiarity with botanical collections and research.
Working knowledge of basic taxonomic or identification principles and collections management.
Proficiency in preparing, housing, accessioning, and cataloging materials.
Ability to work with preservation chemicals associated with herbaria.
Strong organizational skills to keep collections accessible.
Attention to detail.
Demonstrated proficiency with collections databasing.
Proficient knowledge of and experience with international and domestic regulations for specimen acquisition and shipment, and requirements for packing loans.
Knowledge of basic word-processing and spreadsheet software.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Ability to work well with others and independently.
Capacity for problem solving.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a scientific area related to the collection.
Familiarity with imaging systems.
Ability to read cursive handwriting.

Responsibilities

Oversee the collection during short-term absences of Collections Manager(s).
Maintain clean, safe, and organized collections storage, work, and laboratory areas.
Assist with managing, developing, and evaluating digitization efforts, including transcribing catalog and label data, imaging specimens and items, georeferencing, and conducting collections inventories.
Participate in the museum-wide collections database working group.
Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed collections records in the Museum’s 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, acquisitions, and deaccessions.
Assist with the day-to-day physical and operational management of laboratories and the collection, including coordination 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 domestic and international loans and on-site use of the collection by researchers, exhibitions, and visiting communities.
Participate in the Museum’s Integrated Pest Management Program.
Assist with collections reorganization and other priority collections projects as needed.
Help train, mentor, and work with interns, volunteers, and technicians.
Support the Museum’s public and education programming and promote its mission and fundraising goals.