Carnegie Museum of Natural History https://carnegiemnh.org/
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh’s many Benefits.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.
Founded in 1895, The Carnegie Museum of Natural History (“CMNH”) is now one of the largest natural history museums in the United States, with more than 22 million objects in its care and welcoming some 400,000 visitors each year. CMNH recently completed a year-long strategic visioning process with staff and community members, which resulted in a new mission statement:
To deepen wonder and advance understanding of our natural world—past and present—in order to embrace responsibility for our collective future.
As part of its new strategic roadmap, CMNH has affirmed a commitment to future proofing its collections and making them more accessible to scientists and students around the world, as well as to our visitors. The commitment reads:
A cherished collection: Stewarding and studying the millions of specimens and objects in our care, which together provide the evidence of life and change on Earth over time.
To help realize this commitment, the Museum has established a new senior leadership position, the Director of Collections Care and Access (“DCCA”). Reporting directly to the Museum’s Director, the DCCA will provide expertise, leadership, and management of the staff and initiatives related to CMNH’s collections and their uses in research and public engagement. The DCCA will oversee collections management implementation across all collecting areas (Anthropocene, Anthropology & Archaeology, Botany, Mineralogy, Herpetology, Malacology, Mammalogy, Ornithology, Invertebrate Zoology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleobotany, and Vertebrate Paleontology), as well as Conservation, Library and Archives, Database Systems, and Registration. The DCCA will be instrumental in developing a strategic 21st century vision for collections care and access at CMNH, with a focus on facilities improvements, policy and protocols, decolonization, digital infrastructure and digitization.
As the first DCCA in its history, CMNH is seeking a senior collections advocate who is flexible and well-equipped to navigate ambiguity; entrepreneurial and creative; and committed to caring for staff and collaborations just as much as the collections.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s Degree required plus 15+ years progressively responsible experience in a museum or library, including experience managing individuals, teams, and budgets. Advanced degree preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Ability to think systemically and strategically and plan toward long-range goals while also setting and implementing incremental goals. Experience developing project plans and budgets at both small and large scales.
- Exceptional communicator with significant change-management skills; ability to build consensus across a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Sophisticated understanding of ethical and practical issues facing museums and broad knowledge of professional museum standards for collections management including policies and procedures related to the care and display of objects and specimens, integrated pest management, shipping, risk management, the differences in permitting and regulations across disciplines, and the Nagoya Protocol
- Strong working knowledge of current digital technologies and standards relevant to database management. Proficiency with collections management system, preferably Axiell EMu.
- History of playing major roles in securing grants and funding for collections projects.
- Excellent supervisory skills and empathetic management style
- A personal and professional commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to handle collections objects and visually inspect objects and images.
- On occasion, this can be a physically active job, and the DCCA must be comfortable climbing ladders, bending, stooping, or kneeling.
- Lifting up to 25 pounds unassisted, using tools, and working in varying light conditions.
- Employee must occasionally direct, manage, and guide staff through artifact handling/processing for varying periods of time.
- Requires extended time in exhibition galleries, completing condition reports and/or overseeing others move, unpack, and complete condition reports.
- Most of the time is spent in a stationary position operating a computer and/or meeting and talking with staff.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & CHANGE
- Encourage a strong culture of trust and shared accountability among direct reports, and continued collaboration with other departments including especially Research, Exhibitions, Security, Facilities, Development, and Marketing.
- Facilitate cooperation among staff for sharing and codification of collection management best practices, and to tackle and resolve challenges related to databases, digitization, physical space maintenance, access, etc. Work closely with staff and other stakeholders to identify synergies and opportunities for greater consolidation of work approaches and methods.
SYSTEMS AND POLICIES
- Oversee efficient and consistent workflows and data management practices across all CMNH, as well as implementation of accessioning, deaccessioning, and loan processes; specimen preparation and storage standards; and security, environmental monitoring, and emergency operating procedures.
- Develop strategy for enhancing and integrating the collection management systems in order to future proof data and provide wider access to, and engagement with, the collections among researchers, educators, stakeholders, and the broader public.
- Ensure rigorous adherence to Collections Management Policy and manage necessary revisions and/or additional policy development with Museum’s Director, legal team, and governance committee. Provide input on collections-related legal and ethical issues.
FACILITIES
- Lead development of institution-wide collections facilities plan and its ongoing implementation. Plan will include assessment of existing onsite and offsite collections areas; and prioritized recommendations for projects that are consistent with institutional priorities.
- The DCCA is responsible for overseeing collections-related aspects of storage maintenance and repairs, security, emergency preparedness, preventative strategies, pest management, and environmental monitoring. Work with Museum Facilities and Security to address collections-related issues in operations and mission continuity.
ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDRAISING
- Provide administrative and financial oversight for the Collections Care and Access division, including the establishment of detailed project budgets, accurate reporting and forecasting, and ongoing assessment of division resources, budgets, and staffing, making strategic and fiscal adjustments as necessary.
- Work with Museum Director and Development staff to seek and secure external funding for collections management.
- Other duties as assigned.
The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.
https://us231.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/car/Posting/View/6316
Other details
Job Family: Vacation Category III
Pay Type: Salary
Min Hiring Rate: $100,000
Max Hiring Rate: $120,000