Curatorial Assistant, Africa and Madagascar

Missouri Botanical Garden • St. Louis, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Curatorial Assistant actively contributes to the development of scientific information through study and management of plant specimens and data collections, and participation in the preparation of analyses, and in the production of scholarly publications. The successful candidate will have some background herbarium experience and limited expertise in a taxonomic group or geographic region, and will also have developing understanding of botanical nomenclature, botanical literature and taxonomy. The individual may supervise undergraduate students, interns, and volunteers.

Requirements

• At least three (3) years’ herbarium experience and prior course work in plant systematics/taxonomy, field botany or ecology.
• Developing understanding of botanical nomenclature, botanical literature and taxonomy.
• Limited expertise in a taxonomic group or geographic region.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; professional, speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect.
• May supervise undergraduate students, interns, and volunteers and work regularly with them integrating them into various research and conservation initiatives.
• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written); bilingual skills highly desirable.
• College math aptitude requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals; etc.
• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features preferred.
• Solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff and external contacts in order to answer questions and service their needs.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the work day.
• Operates copier, printer, fax, and computer.
• Ability to walk about facilities frequently throughout work day, and to sit for extended periods of the work day.
• Ability to walk, stand, or kneel as required and move about for extended periods of time.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes.
• Ability to understand field safety requirements and wear personal protective equipment, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Prior field experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manages research projects and/or a portion of the research collections.
• Identifies, labels, processes and stores/accesses plant materials (specimens, silica-preserved samples, spirit collections).
• Enters and maintains appropriate database records in Tropicos.
• Supports the curation of one or more plant families or sections of the research collection, including the backlog of African specimens.
• Supports the upload of images from Africa and Madagascar to Tropicos.
• Supports research activities of colleagues and/or programs.
• Participates in the writing and editing of scientific papers, reports and proposals, including data collection and analysis.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the Science and Conservation division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date.
• The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines.
• When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.

What This Job Offers

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