Cal Poly Humboldt’s Department of Biological Sciences is looking for a Vertebrate Museum Collections Manager. Incumbent will maintain and expand our collection of over 15,000 specimens that serves as a center for specimen-based research and teaching in ecology, evolution, and conservation of vertebrates. We welcome your application to join our team at one of the premier research and teaching collections of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in California. Please see the description below. Applications can be found here: https://careers.humboldt.edu/hm/en-us/job/515121/vertebrate-museum-collections-manager
(Job #515121) Instructional Support Technician II, Vertebrate Museum Collections Manager, $3,907 – $6,779. Appointments are typically made at the beginning of the salary range. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position with a one-year probationary period in the Department of Biological Sciences. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.
Now is an exciting time to join the Department of Biological Sciences as we transition to Cal Poly Humboldt! Cal Poly Humboldt has been named the state’s third polytechnic institution and the first in Northern California. Backed by a historic state investment, we’re adding in-demand new academic programs, building new facilities, and growing our enrollment. Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.
Cal Poly Humboldt sits on the traditional homelands of the Wiyot people in what is currently called Arcata, CA. The Wiyot people call the area Goudi’ni (over in the woods). Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.
Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.
Position Summary:
The Collections Manager ensures the long-term stability, regular maintenance, and growth of the Vertebrate Museum collections at Cal Poly Humboldt. The Cal Poly Humboldt Vertebrate Museum collections currently total over 15,000 specimens, including mammals, reptiles and amphibians that serve as a center for specimen-based research and teaching in ecology, evolution and conservation of vertebrates. The Collection Manager is responsible for all aspects of collection organization, specimen preparation, documentation, conservation, processing of loans, regular pest control, monitoring of accessioned materials, and reporting to the Curator of the Vertebrate Museum, as well as support for classroom instruction, particularly in Mammalogy.
Key Responsibilities: The Collections Manager is responsible for the management of the Vertebrate Museum collection under the direct supervision of the Vertebrate Museum Curator. Duties include caring for, maintaining, and organizing research and teaching collections; cataloging specimens, collating and recording data from specimens; assisting in the development and maintenance of digital specimen databases (including one for the tissue collection); repairing damaged specimens; performing pest management; coordinating specimen use in teaching laboratories; and maintaining the dermestid beetle colony. Incumbent is responsible for the preparation and identification of museum specimens of terrestrial and marine mammals, amphibians, and reptiles; assisting with the collection of specimens from the field or from reporting parties; preparation and maintenance of fluid specimens, skins, skulls, skeletal mounts, and cryogenic genetic resources; supervising student assistants/volunteers. Other duties include correspondence with state and federal agencies and other museums; permit management; inventorying and seeking sources of supplies, chemicals, and equipment; processing of loans; maintenance of equipment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:
Applicants must have knowledge of vertebrate classification (particularly mammals, amphibians and reptiles) and be familiar with taxonomic keys and key reference works. The incumbent must be able to recognize and identify local mammalian species, as well as worldwide families, and know the anatomy of key skeletal features. Applicant must be experienced with specimen preparation, including skins/skulls, fluids, and skeletal articulations. Applicant must be knowledgeable about tissue collection procedures; ecto/endoparasite preservation; and fecal sampling. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and knowledge of computer databases is important (currently using VertNet and Arctos). Must be able to lift 50 pounds, team lift large specimens, and be comfortable lifting specimens while on ladders. The Collections Manager may be exposed to a variety of chemicals and needs to work safely with a variety of potentially hazardous chemicals. Incumbent needs effective communication, interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative team-based skills. Must be experienced or interested in supervising and training students and volunteers, and work effectively both independently and directly with the current faculty who teach courses involving material from the Vertebrate Museum.
Minimum Qualifications: B.A or B.S. in Biological Sciences or a related field with a preference for vertebrate zoology or equivalent experience. Experience in specimen collection, preparation, curation and/or collections management in an academic, professional, or research environment.
Preferred Qualifications: M.S. or PhD in evolutionary biology, vertebrate zoology, or related scientific discipline. Familiarity with taxonomy and identification of mammals and herps of California. Working knowledge of state, federal, and international regulations (CITES, Nagoya, etc.) as applied to collection import/export, permitting, and curation standards. Experience with Exel and DarwinCore-based systems. Mentoring experience. Interest or experience teaching mammalogy to diverse audiences. Collaborative individual with research interests in local vertebrate species is encouraged.
Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials via PageUp:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for at least three professional references
Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 21,2022.
Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.