Job Description
Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History is accepting applications for a Paleontology Collections Manager to oversee the day-to-day care and use of the paleontology collections. The successful applicant will also oversee the fossil prep lab. This is a full-time, two-year position with potential for renewal after two years.
Responsibilities: The Collections Manager responsibilities are split between overseeing collection care and fossil preparation. This position reports directly to the Curator of Paleontology. The paleontology collection manager must have strong organizational skills and be able to work as a team to construct a unified collection management system, complete designated tasks, and collaborate with other museum professionals in a small/medium-sized museum.
Collection Management (65%): Organize workflows, specimens, and specimen data to maximize collection use by museum staff, students, and outside researchers.
- Database management, including data entry and upkeep.
- Manage loans and new acquisitions.
- Archive specimen data and metadata.
- Train and manage undergraduate students, graduate students, and volunteers.
Prep Lab Management (25%): Oversee fossil preparation in the prep lab.
- Develop, assign, and monitor fossil-based projects for volunteers and students using the fossil prep lab.
- Provide training in fossil preparation, conservation, and curation for lab staff.
- Oversee lab operations to ensure appropriate specimen records are kept and archived.
- Equipment upkeep.
Public Outreach (10%):
- Interact with the public in the paleontology collections, prep lab, and fossil galleries.
- Provide guided collection tours to museum visitors (general public, school groups, university classes, donors, etc.).
- Assist with fossil-based education and outreach events (e.g. National Fossil Day).
- Coordinate with exhibit and education staff when the prep lab is to be part of public events.
- Provide fossil identifications to museum visitors.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in geology, biology, paleontology, or museum studies, OR at least five years of natural history collection management and/or fossil prep lab experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with vertebrate systematics and natural history collections
- Experience in database management and relational databases.
- Training in collection management policies and procedures.
- Experience with fossil preparation, including use of hand tools, air abrasives, microscopes, and adhesives.
- Experience overseeing students and/or volunteers.
Appointment Date: Preferred start date is June 2020.
Application Deadline: Priority application deadline is Friday, February 21st.
Salary: $36,107
Benefits: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/
Details and to Apply: https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CAREERS/job/Sternberg/Museum-Collections-Manager—Sternberg-Museum_R-02141