Kaitiaki Taonga Collection Manager

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/

 29-Sep-2023

 NZ/23101

 Wellington – Wairarapa

Job Description

Do you have a passion for the vertebrate fauna of New Zealand/Aotearoa and natural history collections?

If so, this is an exciting opportunity to join Te Papa, a world leading, bicultural museum, as a Kaitiaki Taonga Collection Manager Natural History (Vertebrates). 

 Te Papa’s Natural History team develop, care for and conduct research on collections of plants and animals. Through exhibitions, publications, public and learning programmes, we strengthen public understanding of te taiao, the natural environment.  Underpinned by the principle of Mana Taonga, this position is part of a team responsible for ensuring the Museum’s natural history collections are stored and handled appropriately, managing and mitigating risks, documenting our collections, and facilitating physical and digital access.   

Working closely with the vertebrate curatorial team, the position holder will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of Te Papa’s ornithology, herpetology, mammalogy and vertebrate palaeontology collections.

The successful candidate will have: 

Education and experience  

Minimum:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of natural sciences OR a certificate in Museum Studies and two or more years of recent and relevant experience in vertebrate or palaeontology collections.

Desired:

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Previous experience and/or training in natural history collection management and knowledge of collection management best practices and professional standards.
• Experience in data and records management and familiarity with collection management database software, particularly Axiell EMu. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A strong interest in and knowledge of the terrestrial and marine vertebrate fauna and paleoecology of New Zealand/Aotearoa and the Pacific.
• Knowledge of scientific methods and demonstrated experience in the handling, preparation and preservation and storage of dry and wet preserved vertebrate specimens, fossils, and molecular samples.
• An understanding of tikanga Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Knowledge of international and national regulations and compliance requirements that apply to vertebrate collections and workplace health and safety.
• Excellent organisational, project management and problem solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to perform detail-orientated and repetitive tasks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite products including excel and word.
• Ability to work independently and to supervise volunteers and interns.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and maintain strong cooperative relationships with coworkers, external stakeholders, and the public. 
• Hold or have the ability to obtain a full driver licence. 
• Hold or have the ability to obtain a Forklift Licence.
• Ability and willingness to lift, move and carry heavy objects and use ladders.
• Willingness to acquire any compliance certification required to carry out the role. 

Applications close on Sunday 22 October 2023.

Apply here: https://jobs.tepapa.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=17768&in_jnCounter=225752932

Offers will be made to the successful candidate within the range of $66,761 – $91,796 based on their skills and experience and internal relativities with other employees.

Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.

To apply, please provide a cover letter describing how your skills, background and experience fit with this role and a copy of your CV outlining relevant training and work experience.

Prior to Te Papa confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.