Collections Manager

Los Angeles County Museum Of Natural History Foundation•Los Angeles, CA

14h•$0 - $69,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) seeks a Collections Manager of Entomology. They will join an active department with two curators and one other collections manager, as well as multiple temporary project staff. NHMLAC’s entomology collection has approximately 6 million specimens of insects, spiders, and other terrestrial arthropods. It is the largest in Southern California and has specimens from all over the world. The collection's strength lies in its holdings of specimens of ants, phorid flies, scarab beetles, and moths from North and Central America. The collection includes traditional pinned and fluid-preserved specimens, and has recently expanded to include a frozen collection. The Collections Manager will help oversee the day-to-day operations of the entomology collection, including processing incoming and outgoing loans, cataloguing and integrating new specimens, specimen identification, maintaining and improving records in NHMLAC’s EMu database, conserving and organizing specimens, managing physical improvements and digitization projects, and facilitating the use of the collection by researchers. They will collaborate with other collecting departments to manage shared facilities, maintain high standards of collections care, and uphold NHMLAC’s policies, and will support the needs of other NHMLAC departments through collection access and subject matter expertise. NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least two years of technical experience in the collection, organization, care, use, and/or conservation of natural history specimens/collections; relevant experience may have been gained through work as a student or professional. We expect qualified applicants will have either a substantial history of museum work or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a related field and some museum work experience, but we encourage applicants in their cover letters to explain how their particular combination of education and experience qualifies them for the position.
Working knowledge of the taxonomy, natural history, and biology of terrestrial arthropods, including insects and/or arachnids.
Working knowledge of common specimen preparations, the organization and management of entomology/arachnology collections, and community standards and existing best practices for pinned and fluid-preserved specimens.
Experience with proper packing and shipping of specimens, including shipping regulations and documentation.
Experience with collections database software and common principles of biodiversity informatics.
Experience writing reports, grants, professional correspondence, and/or procedure documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups, including the general public and scientists.
Working knowledge of international, federal, and state regulations governing the collection and use of zoological specimens by museums and researchers.
Working knowledge of external data repositories such as GBIF and iDigBio.
Working knowledge of typical methods used for field collection and processing of terrestrial arthropods.
Working knowledge of the use of natural history collections for research.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion work.

Responsibilities

Cares for the Entomology collection on a day-to-day basis, including identifying, organizing and conserving specimens, preparing or processing specimen loans, processing new acquisitions, and facilitating collections visits. Proposes, develops, and implements plans for collection growth and improvement.
Provides documentation for the collection, including cataloging and accessioning, entering/updating database records, inventorying, and enhancing documentation through digitization. Responds to requests for information about the collection and shares collection records through external repositories.
Participates in education and other public program activities of the Museum including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Handles inquiries from the public.
Stays current with the research field related to the collection including arthropod biology and systematics, trends and techniques in collections management, collection-based research, conservation, digitization, biodiversity informatics, government regulations, and documentation. May lead or participate in ongoing or original research and fieldwork related to the collection.
Works as part of an effective team to manage the collection and ongoing work in Entomology.