Collections Technician

Field Museum • Chicago, IL

3d • $20 • Onsite

About The Position

Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history. The successful candidate will assist 3-days per week (19 hours/week) with the digitization and mobilization of mammal specimen trait data as part of the NSF-funded RANGES Thematic Collection Network. The Ranges TCN consists of 21 natural history collections seeking to extend basic specimen records with traits (e.g., measurements, reproductive data) to fill digital data gaps and firmly link specimens and their traits in an extended specimen network. The successful candidate will work on digitizing and mobilizing specimen-level trait data for nearly 16,000 Field Museum non-marine mammal specimens from the western United States (18 states, including Alaska). This Collections Technician (Mammals) will report to Collections Manager Adam Ferguson and is responsible for digitizing trait data and ensuring it is integrated into the Museum's internal database EMu (e.g. grant-funded term position) and ultimately external data aggregators. Duties for this individual position are as described below.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in science or related field with at least 1-year of experience working in a natural history museum
• Experience with relational databases or data management software
• Familiarity with specimen-based trait data recorded in natural history museums
• Ability to work well with others
• Ability to work independently in a museum setting
• Attention to detail
• Familiarity with online platforms for distributing biodiversity data (e.g., GBIF) and managing community science projects (e.g., Notes for Nature)
• Flexibility in regard to activities related to different project goals and objectives

Responsibilities

• Transcribe and digitize trait-associated specimen data for at least 16,000 specimens
• Format trait data in accordance with universal data standards
• Mobilize data into the Field Museum's internal data management software (EMu)
• Work to ensure internal data is shared via data aggregators such as GBIF
• Help lead and coordinate community science efforts to digitize primary data
• Participate in group calls, meetings, and discussions with other Ranges partners

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level