Michigan State University Herbarium https://herbarium.natsci.msu.edu/
Position Summary
Characteristic Duties—Responsibilities
- Assists faculty, staff and public that use the collections; instructs about herbarium functions, protocols and data use
- Oversees accessioning, cataloging, organizing and handling specimens, including loans to and from other institutions
- Monitor proper care and storage of all items in the collection
- Establish and maintain records of inventory, secondary source materials, and reference materials
- Oversee data entry process used to organize and store information; coordinates work-flow process for specimen digitization projects
- Research literature in order to maintain knowledge about collection management policies, procedures and storage techniques
- Oversees the maintenance and improvement of specimen databases directly and in collaboration with off campus database administrators
- Develops outreach and teaching materials for courses, tours and the general public; plans and coordinates participation in outreach events
- Keeps the herbarium organized and clean, with functioning equipment and adequate supplies
Communications—Interpersonal Relationships
Interact with:
- Director—in order to coordinate herbarium activities and priorities
- Faculty and students—in order to serve research and teaching needs across campus
- Public—to provide service (e.g. requests for plant identifications) and outreach
- External Agencies—to provide data and interact on plant conservation matters
Responsibility for the Work of Others
- First level supervision over student employees and volunteers
Impact on Programs—Services—Operations
- Proper and reliable care and management of collection forms are a necessary foundation for future research and educational use of the collection. Improper handling of responsibilities may result in collections unsuitable for publication or exhibits.
Work Environment
- Negligible, disagreeable working conditions. The job requires moderate physical exertion and involves carrying materials and artifacts to and from storage areas up to 25% of the time.
Join our community of over 200 plant science faculty, embracing collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to foundational and applied research. MSU will extend its plant science leadership through a five-year recruiting initiative, bringing together new talent and current MSU experts around key research priorities. Learn more about the MSU Plant Science Excellence Initiative and join the mailing list to receive alerts about open positions.
Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree in Art History, History, Anthropology, Zoology, Botany, Geology, Paleontology or Museum Studies; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work in cataloging and accessing museum collections and handling museum objects; and in the use of audio/video recording machines, multi-media editing devices and software, cameras, scanners, digitizing equipment and digital media players; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working in an herbarium or natural history museum
- Plant identification skills
- A masters degree in Biology, Botany, Plant Biology, Plant Science, or Museum Studies
- Ability to perform modest amounts of field work in moderately challenging environments to collect plant specimens
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends at outreach or teaching events or in support of research
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
- Cover Letter
- CV
- 3 Reference contacts
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/
Job no: 902354
Work type: Support Staff
Pay Grade: 10
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Natural Science
Department: Plant Biology Cns 10032114
Sub Area: CT- Clerical Tech.
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Research/Scientific, Clerical Technical- CT, Full Time (90-100%), Union