Natural History Museum of Los Angeles https://nhm.org/
The Natural History Museum of LA County (NHMLAC) seeks a Collections Manager of Mineral Sciences. NHMLAC’s Mineral Sciences collection includes approximately 150,000 specimens, including minerals, rocks, meteorites, gems, and related synthetic materials. The collection is worldwide in scope but has particular strengths in minerals from California, native gold, and gem crystals. Approximately half of all known mineral species are represented in the collection, which is actively used for both research and exhibitions.
The Collections Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the mineral sciences collection, maintain and improve database records, conserve and organize specimens, improve and enhance the collection through physical improvements and digitization projects, facilitate the use of the collection by researchers and other users, train and supervise volunteers and students, and support the needs of other NHMLA departments including Exhibitions, Education and Programming, Communications, and Advancement. This position is directly supervised by the Curator of Mineral Sciences.
The NHMLA values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply. NHMLA is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to engage and include culturally diverse audiences in museums and in science.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Cares for the collection and manages activities on a day-to-day basis, including organizing, storing, securing, and conserving objects. Proposes, develops, and oversees plans for collection growth, improvement, and reorganization. Processes all incoming and outgoing objects and/or materials including purchases, donations, exchanges, field collections, and loans, serving as a liaison between donors, lenders, and the Registrar’s Office.
- Provides documentation for the collection, including cataloging, entering and updating database records, inventorying, enhancing documentation through digitization, and researching object, specimen, and/or material information.
- Responds to requests for information about the collection; facilitates visits and access to objects and data by researchers and others using the collection. Uses modern analytical techniques (e.g. XRF, XRD, Raman) for mineral identification and to assist visiting and remote researchers.
- Participates in education and other public program activities of the Museum including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Trains, supervises, and manages students and volunteers.
- Stays current with professional topics relevant to the management of the collection, including trends and techniques in collections management, analytical methods, collection-based research, conservation, digitization, government regulations, and documentation.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3-5 years experience in the collection, organization, care and/or conservation of mineral science, geology, or related museum collections; relevant experience may have been gained through work as a student or professional. We expect qualified applicants will have either a substantial history of museum work or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a related field and some museum work experience, but we encourage applicants in their cover letters to explain how their particular combination of education and experience qualifies them for the position.
- Working knowledge of factors important to the management of the collection, such as mineral classification, gemology, geological formations, and community standards and existing best practices in the care of minerals, gems, and other collection objects.
- Working knowledge of international, federal, and state regulations governing the collection and the use of its objects.
- Experience writing reports, grants, professional correspondence, and/or procedure manuals.
- Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups of managers, scientists, and the general public.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with database software typically used in natural history or similar museum collections; working knowledge of common principles of informatics and external data repositories common in these fields.
- Experience with analytical techniques in mineralogy, such as X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy.
- Experience supervising a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion.
OTHER INFORMATION
Annual salary for this position is $64,500. This is a full-time, regular, exempt position with excellent benefits.
The application deadline is September 1, 2023. Submit a current resume, a cover letter describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, and the names and contact information of three professional references using the link on the Museum’s employment site at https://nhm.org/careers-our-museums/careers-natural-history-museum.
The primary location for this job is at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California. Some offsite travel will be required.
Applicants and employees are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek or occupy. The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health or safety of him/herself or others.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please contact jobs@nhm.org for any application inquiries.
Apply here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html