Herbarium Assistant - Bryophytes

Missouri Botanical Garden • St. Louis, MO

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides operational support for core herbarium activities and research projects in Bryology. Primary duties include mounting, filing, sorting, locating, pulling, imaging, and databasing specimens, working with visitors and volunteers, and conducting independent curatorial projects under the supervision of the bryophyte curators. Additionally, Herbarium Assistants support the herbarium’s integrated pest management program, freezing material and monitoring for pests in the collection. They also assist with the processing of incoming and outgoing shipments of material, conduct tours of the collection, and participate in various outreach activities on behalf of the herbarium.

Requirements

• Minimum one to three (1-3) years related experience in herbaria, natural history collections, or other historic collections.
• Basic knowledge of botanical nomenclature and taxonomy highly desired.
• Must be punctual, dependable, self-starter, and possess the ability to effectively multi-task and work under minimal supervision.
• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).
• High School basic math aptitude required.
• 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 required.
• Solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff and external collaborators in order to answer questions and service their needs.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, bend, or climb as required and move about for extended periods of time.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (step stools, rolling ladders)
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with specimen databases like Tropicos, Symbiota, Specify, or EMu a plus.
• Knowledge of other languages, especially Spanish and French, a plus.

Responsibilities

• Folds herbarium packets, mounts labels and transfers plant specimens into packets.
• Sorts, files, processes and distributes plant specimens.
• Works with databases, entering, verifying, correcting information and imaging objects utilizing herbarium specimens and library resources.
• Works with herbarium records database, entering data and tracking inter-institutional shipping transactions.
• Georeferences data (i.e. assigns geographic coordinates that links it to a geographic location on a map; converting it into computer readable form), to prepare it for analyses.
• Serves as a resource for questions about the collection from visitors, volunteers, students, and staff.
• Processes incoming and outgoing shipments to or from the herbarium, including all associated documentation, and distributes specimens to various users and projects.
• Supports collections research by accessing library materials, photocopying, assisting visitors and related duties.
• Assists the Curator with integrated pest management (IPM) protocols, monitoring the collection for pest activity and coordinating freezing regimens for specimens.
• Under supervision of the Curators, conducts curatorial work on the collection, including updating scientific names, reviewing technical literature, repacketing specimens, and reorganizing sections of the collection.
• 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 our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. 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
• Education Level: Associate degree