The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking an Assistant Collections Manager in the department of Vertebrate Paleontology. This is a part-time (not to exceed 20 hours per week) grant funded position for two years (Bureau of Land Management Cooperative Agreement No. L17AC00191). This position provides support for the curation, conservation, and digitization of vertebrate fossils and associated accessory data from Gypsum Cave, Nevada. This historic collection was amassed in the 1930’s and is known to contain fossil amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The predominant taxon in this collection is Shasta’s ground sloth, which is evidenced by exceptionally preserved soft tissue, claw sheaths, hair, and fibrous dung.
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
- Condition assessment and specimen inventory
- Taxonomic comparisons and element identifications
- Specimen cataloging, data entry, and specimen labeling
- Use of archival materials and techniques to house specimens
- Collections organization, preventive conservation, remedial conservation
- Imaging of cataloged specimens, including digital photography and/or photogrammetry
- Digitization of accessory data files and digital file asset management
- Project documentation and reporting for online publishing
- Participation in public education initiatives and/or field activities
This position has the following requirements:
The successful applicant will be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree course or hold a recent degree in geology, biology, paleontology, conservation, museum studies, or a related field.
The successful applicant will have a career interest in museum collections care and be locally available to complete the project on a part-time basis until 14 September 2019.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential
- Good hand writing, high manual dexterity, and excellent eye sight are required
- Excellent work ethic and the ability to work independently or with a team are preferred
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to learn new skills quickly and perform tasks efficiently yet accurately
- Preliminary knowledge of vertebrate taxonomy, osteology, object conservation, and/or collections management best practices is a plus
- Previous experience handling specimens, using relational databases, working with DSLR cameras, and/or volunteer work in a museum collections setting is a plus
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse community.
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.