Delaware Museum of Natural History
Collections Manager/Birds
Salary: $40,000
Reports to: Director of Collections/Curator of Birds
FLSA Status: Exempt
Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Collections/Curator of Birds, the Collections Manager is responsible for providing care of and access to the bird and mammal collection.
Essential Functions:
- Maintain and conserve vertebrate collections including study skins, skeletons, specimens in alcohol, the egg and nest collection, taxidermy mounts, and other preparations
- Respond to research inquiries regarding the collection by conducting database searches, photocopying records, measuring specimens and/or taking pictures of holdings
- Work with Curator to maintain and improve the collections databases
- Process incoming and outgoing loaned or exchanged material including handling loan forms and permits
- Oversee care of new specimen donations including record keeping, preparing, cataloging, labeling, and distributing to shelves/cabinets
- Maintain records (e.g. correspondence and reports) for all collection management activities and assist with preparation of reports
- Monitor and track collections conditions including temperature, humidity and pests. Implement integrated pest management (IPM) as directed by Curator
- Work with Curator to establish and execute specimen conservation and preservation policies and priorities
- Work with Curator to evaluate the best use of donated and exchanged material
- Work with Collections and Research staff to maintain the necessary scientific and specimen permits
- Assist with purchase of departmental supplies and materials and with budget preparation and monitoring
- Assist with the selection, training, task assignment, supervision, and evaluation of departmental volunteer and interns
Secondary Functions:
- Assist Curator in responding to general inquiries about the collection, and about other natural history topics, especially related to birds and other vertebrates
- Assist Museum visitors in use of the collections and library
- Assist Curator in providing tours of the collections and responding to staff inquiries and requests
- Represent the Bird Department and Museum at professional meetings pertinent to collections management
- Assist Curator with teaching classes and/or preparing lectures about birds, natural history and/or collections management
- Assist with special events for Museum visitors
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS in Biology or other scientific fields including Computer Sciences or Museum Studies. MA/MS or other relevant graduate level degree preferred
- 1 – 2 years of experience in collections management
- Experience with bird identification, bird specimen care, preparation of bird study skins, skeletons and other preparations
- In addition to birds, familiarity with natural history of vertebrate groups
- Experience with computer operation, relational databases, excel spreadsheets, imaging software and collections database management software (preferably Specify). Interest in current advances in digitization protocols for natural history collections
- Knowledge of geography and avian taxonomy
- Ability to work with ethanol (ethyl alcohol), formalin, and other chemicals used in collections, as well as objects including feathers, fur, bones, dermestid beetles and other natural history objects•Knowledge of OSHA standards and Hazard Communications programs
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to lift 50 lbs., stoop and climb ladders to access collections storage areas
- Demonstrated ability to train and supervise volunteers/interns
Schedule:
This is a full-time position defined by the Museum as 37.5 hours per week, exclusive of a 30-minute unpaid lunch period. The schedule may vary to accommodate special events or projects.
Other Functions:
This job description is not designed to cover all functions, duties, activities or responsibilities that are required. Functions, duties, activities and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualified candidates are invited to email their cover letter and CV to treed@delmnh.org, fax to the attention of Terri Reed at 302-658-2610, or submit to Delaware Museum of Natural History, ATTN: Human Resources, P.O. Box 3937, Wilmington, Delaware 19807. Deadline for submission is Wednesday March 31, 2021. EOE