Live Collections Assistant

Strong National Museum•Rochester, NY

14h•Onsite

About The Position

The Strong is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Live Collections Assistant to support the care and maintenance of the museum’s living collections. The live collections assistant is responsible for providing frontline exceptional visitor service in accordance with established team and museum standards. This includes interacting with guests of all ages to anticipate and respond quickly and effectively to their questions and concerns, as well as to meet and exceed their expectations to provide an exceptional museum experience. The live collections assistant may also assist as needed with some day-to-day care and conservation of animals and plants in the collection, cleaning all live collections areas, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies. This position is intended for applicants interested in guest service and education centered around nature. The applicant can expect to spend a significant amount of time providing guest service in the butterfly garden while also experiencing some behind-the-scenes learning opportunities that may include providing care for exotic animals, participating in some butterfly data collection, or maintaining tropical plants. All museum staff are expected to cooperate with one another in furthering the museum’s general objectives and in completing museum projects. Similarly, all staff consistently maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude, act with integrity and in accordance with the highest ethical standards and demonstrate loyalty to the museum in all public contacts. Guests and colleagues deserve our best efforts every day.

Requirements

A high school diploma, GED, or CDOS
College-level science experience preferred
Ability to be an outstanding ambassador for the museum
Basic knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions
Strong communication and listening skills
Ability to work both independently and cooperatively
Availability to work evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends as necessary
Ability to work a flexible schedule

Responsibilities

Perform hosting duties in the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden.
Facilitate guests’ admittance to and departure from the garden.
Observe and caution guests touring the garden to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
Provide a welcoming, friendly environment for guests and relay information according to established team and museum standards.
Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for the museum and actively work to educate guests and enhance their experiences.
Help ensure that garden functions are consistently regulated.
Effectively handle guests’ needs, questions, and expectations in a manner consistent with museum service goals.
Provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, or facility activities.
Demonstrate flexibility with scheduling to ensure the garden is properly staffed.
Operate, monitor, and communicate via a two-way radio connecting various museum teams including guest services, security, environmental services, and public programs.
Introduce safety considerations, handle minor emergencies appropriately, and call for assistance as needed.
Notify live collections team members of concerns regarding livestock, including concerns regarding husbandry, health, or similar.
Assist with basic plant care in the greenhouse and butterfly garden, including, but not limited to, dead heading, weeding, and watering.
Perform corrective work when problems occur and follow recommended procedural changes to avoid such problems.
Publicly support team decisions, even if they conflict with personal opinions.
Communicate with team members, both in person and via email, to share notable information, complete task sheets, and log information.
Maintain an overall awareness and knowledge of the museum’s current mission, content, and procedures and of daily activities and programs as they affect museum visitation.
Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules, and regulations issued internally and under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Regularly examine workplace conditions to make sure they conform to applicable OSHA standards.
Provide positive guest experiences.
Interact with colleagues and guests in a professional, respectful manner.
Report to work on time, as scheduled.
Participate in all required museum training.
Participate in some butterfly and pupae data collection in accordance with USDA regulations and museum standards.
Participate in the organization, cleaning, and disinfection of all areas that the live collections team maintains, including the butterfly garden, greenhouse, chrysalis cases, laboratory, and adjoining hallways.
Prepare and clean the public viewing areas for the butterfly garden, and other live collections displays.