Temporary Collections Assistant - Ornithology

Cleveland Museum of Natural History • Cleveland, OH

9d

About The Position

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. For more than a century, the Museum has inspired visitors to connect with the wonders of science and nature. Today, we continue that legacy—and remain committed to sharing our resources to promote a healthy future for both humans and the planet.

As Ohio’s largest natural history museum, we use our vast collections and state-of-the-art facilities to contribute to scientific understanding worldwide. Our scientists conduct research across a variety of disciplines, making groundbreaking discoveries about early human ancestors, ancient Ohio, animal and plant life around the world, and more. We steward more than 12,500 acres of wild habitats through our Natural Areas Program, working to protect the environment of northern Ohio and the diverse species that call it home.

The Museum is seeking a dedicated professional to join our Collections team.

Job Summary

The Collections Assistant will work in collaboration with the collections management staff to steward the Ornithology collection. The Collections Assistant will focus on moving study skins, eggs, and nests from their existing location into a new, on-site storage facility, as well as updating associated physical and digital records. This is a temporary, donor-funded position expected to last between 3-6 months.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Museum Studies, or related field and 1 year of demonstrable experience working in museum collections; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and successfully meet project deadlines and goals.
• Strong knowledge of collections management methods, best practices, and database management.
• Familiarity with collections management systems and/or relational databases (EMu preferred).
• Ability to handle collection objects carefully and safely to not cause damage.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to react quickly to emergency situations when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct tasks associated with collections management, including specimen handling, rehousing, labeling, sorting, digitization, and imaging.
• Maintain accurate reports on the condition of items and update database records.
• Carefully handle and monitor collections to ensure their safety and mitigate damage.
• Order supplies and equipment as needed.
• Adhere to the CMNH Manual of Research and Collections Policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level