Division of Fishes, Museum of Southwestern Biology, UNM
Regular Full-time
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Job: Senior Collections Manager
The Division of Fishes at the Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB), Department of Biology, of the University of New Mexico, seeks a Senior Collection Manager in Ichthyology. The Museum of Southwestern Biology moved into a new facility, adjacent to the Department of Biology and centrally located on campus, in 2006. The new facility was outfitted with state of the art compactors and collection management facilities. The MSB Division of Fishes houses over 100,000 catalogued lots of fishes and over 4 million individual specimens. Collections are heavily weighted with specimens from the North American Southwest and reflect over 50 years of early life history, ecological, and genetic studies of desert fishes. The Division of Fishes of MSB is the primary repository for academic and agency biologists in New Mexico, had a full-time devoted collection manager for over 20 years, and maintains fluid collections from the early 1930s.
The successful candidate will, working under the direct supervision of the Curator of Fishes, oversee the day-to-day operations of the Division of Fishes (MSB), supervise undergraduate and graduate staff, catalogue incoming material (25,000 lots per year), maintain the fish database, process loans, interact with researchers, and manage collection related grants and contracts. The incoming Senior Collections Manager will be asked to help continue to develop all aspects of the collections (i.e., specimens, skeletons, images, and genetics) so that they remain an invaluable resource well into the 21st century.
Position Summary
- Manages all aspects of collections care by following and implementing accepted museum standards for processing and cataloging incoming material and associated document and digital archives, data entry and data management, maintenance of systematic order, and routine care and conservation; evaluates the standards and develops strategies to upgrade the physical condition of the collection and increase efficiency.
- Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of computer database applications and participates in long term planning for divisional and museum-wide data management protocol and network systems.
- Establishes work priorities and directs staffing to accomplish the Division of Fishes goals and objectives; recruits, employs, trains and supervises graduate and undergraduate curatorial assistants, volunteers and technicians.
- Interacts with the national and international scientific community, including negotiating and managing specimen loans, responding to inquiries, and maximizing utilization of the collections in support of scholarly research.
- Advances professional development through attendance at conferences and workshops, service on advisory panels, holding office or assuming committee assignments in professional organizations in areas such as museum conservation techniques, bioinformatics, integrated pest management, health and safety, and policy development.
- Interacts with internal contacts such as faculty, curators, museum staff, and various University administrators to exchange information regarding the collections; develops and manages the annual budget, purchases materials and supplies, and manages contracts and grants; maintains records on collection use and growth and writes the divisional fiscal year report.
- Conducts public outreach programs, and participates in educational events (e.g., tours, lectures, science fairs, etc.).
- Represents the museum through professional activities that may include service on University committees, developing and managing electronic resources, editing publications, organizing workshops, conducting research, teaching, and authoring scholarly publications and scientific reports.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
- A Cover Letter for this position should address any and all of the preferences you meet for this position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with specimen imaging (e.g., high-resolution 3-D digital images, CT scans, etc.), storage and archiving image files, and image analysis.
- Experience with tissue collection and curation for a variety of purposes, including molecular systematics, molecular ecology, population genetic analysis, etc.
- Experience with holistic specimen curation that includes tissue curation, parasites, and other specimen-related objects.
- Experience with collection management databases and online aggregators (VertNet, iDigBio, Arctos, etc.).
- Experience with preparation and care of fish specimens, particularly from early life history stages.
- Field experience with specimen collection, preparation, and archiving components.
- Graduate degree in ichthyology.
- Experience and service on national and international collections committees.
- Experience in coordinating international collecting trips.
- Thorough general knowledge of fishes of the southwestern United States.
- Experience in care and management of a fish collection.
- Ability to use both dissecting and compound microscopes for live and preserved specimen handling and identification of larval fishes, parasites, or other specimens.
- Ability to maintain a website.
- Experience with grant preparation and administration, including budget management.
Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Comprehensive knowledge of collection management principles, procedures, and materials
- Knowledge and experience with ESA and CITIES shipping regulations and compliance.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community; community engagement experience highly desirable.
- Knowledge of laboratory and field procedures for research and collection purposes.
- Ability to supervise and train employees
- Strong organizational skills, ability to effectively establish priorities, schedule work assignments and perform multiple tasks involving collections.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency with museum collections database, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
- Ability to develop and administer grant-funded research projects.
- Ability to assist researchers to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
- Ability to use informed judgment and to manage and impart information to a wide range of clientele.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Position requires: a) Evaluating standards and developing strategies to upgrade and enhance collection(s); b) developing and managing annual budgets, preparing fiscal year reports, and managing contracts and grants; c) representing the museum through public outreach programs, workshops, research and teaching; d) strategic representation and collaborative interaction with a wide range of external constituencies including service on advisory panels and professional organization committees.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
- Considerable physical effort. Requires handling of objects that can weigh up to 50 lbs (or
greater mass requiring mechanical assistance). Standing/walking may occur more
than 50% of time - Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations
that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of
protective equipment; must be able to wear N-95 mask - Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme
temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises - Work may be performed in an office environment, museum environment or field
environment.
Pay: depending on experience, negotiable
Benefits Eligible: This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs.
For Best Consideration Date: 4/30/2019
Requisition ID: req8239
To Apply: https://unm.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=8239&site=14