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Due to the current health crisis, candidate selection or hiring steps may be delayed.
UCSC Statement
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the intimacy of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.
Initial Review Date (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.
Initial Review Date (IRD): 02-15-2021
Dept Marketing Statement
The Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History supports natural history education and research opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the greater Santa Cruz community. Following in the spirit of Ken Norris, we are continuing to build a community of people who carry their passion for the natural world into all aspects of their lives.
The Norris Center supports natural history learning by curating important natural history collections, teaching field-based classes, supporting hands-on internships, strengthening connections among disciplines – especially art and science, mentoring students to be future environmental leaders and teachers, and building lasting communities and professional networks.
For more information on the Norris Center, click here.
Job Summary
At the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History, the Assistant Director works under the Administrative Director to curate the Norris Center’s collections, supervise students working at the Norris Center, facilitate education and research, and manage museum safety and permits. In this capacity, the Assistant Director helps with the day-to-day operations of the Norris Center, ensures the long-term sustainability of the natural history collections, and helps execute long-term projects related to research, education and outreach at the Norris Center.
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary Information: Salary Range: $63,946.81- $66,518.43. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
No. of Positions: 1
Benefits Level Eligibility: This position is eligible for Full benefits
Schedule Information
Full-time, Fixed
Percentage of Time: 75%
Average Hours Per Week: 30
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
Shift Includes: Day
Employee Classification: This is a Staff Career appointment
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
Union Representation: RX, Research Support Professionals
Employee Relations Code: All Others, Confidential
Job Duties
35% Collections Management
- Perform curatorial work specific to various taxonomic groups, including insects, plants, lichens, fungi, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish
- With guidance from the Administrative Director, work independently to manage online specimen databases associated with all collections
- Work with Admin director, graduate students, and undergraduate students in planning and implementing collections-based field or museum research projects
- Advise faculty of the opportunities of various collections or specimens for study and research projects
- Select appropriate specimens for thematic or topical display or loan
- Contribute to exhibition programs by helping construct exhibits for public events
- Assist Admin director to determine the need for new acquisitions of both collections and individual specimens to be obtained in the field or by purchase
- Represent the museum to the general public in matters concerning the museum and its collections, operations, and facilities, or may direct field parties, taking complete charge of all material aspects of fieldwork other than research.
- Supervise loans, public service and other activities, receiving supervision only in matters of policy and fiscal limitations;
- Keep abreast of the latest trends in collections curation, storage and data handling by maintaining relationships with other nearby specimen repositories
- As needed, develop and conduct pest control measures
- Assist Admin Director with planning, supervision and data analysis of ongoing collections-based research projects, including resurveys and citizen science projects
35% Supervise Norris Center Workers
- Manage, coordinate and improve the Norris Center internship program
- Supervise graduate student mentors and volunteers, as appropriate
- Supervise undergraduate employees, particularly those working on collections based projects
10% Scheduling Classes
- Help faculty with scheduling and specimen/equipment needs
- Coordinate with faculty regarding purchase and repair of supplies and equipment
- Assemble, calibrate, test and evaluate teaching laboratory apparatuses for proper function
- Oversee the physical facilities of the teaching labs to include periodic inspection, making appropriate arrangements for repair, modification, or replacement of infrastructure such as cabinetry, plumbing, electrical service, etc.
10% Maintain the Website and Social Media Accounts
- Update the website on a weekly basis
- Train student employees to update the website and social media accounts regularly
- Manage, edit and update the Norris Center blogs
- Coordinate and draft the quarterly newsletter
5% Safety and Permits
- Manage and renew the relevant permits needed for the Norris Center, including but not limited to, animal care and use, state permits, federal permits
- Ensure compliance with UCSC Environmental Health and Safety standards
- Conduct or coordinate lab safety training and maintain documentation of lab training for all lab users
- Make sure all Norris Center spaces are complaint under EH&S guidelines
5% Grants and Fundraising
- Assist Faculty director and Administrative Director with writing grants and donor fundraising
Required Qualifications
- Post-baccalaureate degree in biological sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience curating or working with natural history collections, both physical and digital, or other similar preserved materials.
- Strong organizational skills; strong ability to manage time, projects, and deadlines independently with little oversight.
- Comprehensive knowledge of concepts and technical practices in one or more of the disciplines of botany, zoology, or ecology.
- Ability to work effectively and professionally with undergraduates, faculty, graduate students and the general public.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience conducting research and teaching in the natural sciences.
- Knowledge of the identification, taxonomy, distribution, and life histories of common plants, animals, and fungi of California, especially the central California coast.
- Expertise in the study of insects, especially pollinators.
- Experience managing collections management databases using online platforms (ie. Symbiota, Arctos, etc.)
- Familiarity with common laboratory equipment and safety procedures.
- Experience mentoring and supervising paid and/or non-paid employees in a museum, in the field, or in other similar settings.
- Experience with specimen preparatory techniques for plants, insects, fish and amphibians.
- Experience using and mentoring others in the use of citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist, eBird, etc.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including ability to establish rapport, resolve conflicts, and build networks between the Norris Center and external people and organizations
- Experience designing museum exhibits.
- Experience managing websites, social media sites, etc.
- Experience with grant writing and fundraising.
Special Conditions
Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
Interviewees will be required to provide a current DMV record.
Selected candidate will be required to provide proof of negative TB.
Will be required to work on-site as directed.
Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here:
Safety Statement
All UCSC employees must know and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.
How to Apply
Attach your resume and cover letter when applying to this job opening. Do not attach any documents to ‘My Activities’. Select How to Apply for more instructions and information.
EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.