Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections April 2014 - (Page 43)

Employment Collection Manager for Fishes Field Museum Department: Collections Center 1 Full Time Position (35 hours/week) The position involves all aspects of care, maintenance, and accessibility of The Field Museum fish collection. Duties include preparation, identification, care and organization of specimens (and associated material such as tissues), training and supervision of staff and volunteers in their collectionrelated duties, assistance to visitors in their use of collection, and processing of recently collected material, as well as outgoing and incoming specimen loans, loan recalls and loan returns. Primary responsibilities include the maintenance of records relevant to the collection (KE EMu catalog, loan invoices, accession files, field notes), providing the public and professionals with information they need from the collection (including digitizing specimens), and updating records as the collection grows or changes are made in identifications. The Collection Manager of Fishes also interacts with the Museum's Science Action and Integrative Research centers, and with Education and Exhibits. The position involves grant writing, liaising with Federal and State authorities as needed, and working with other Ichthyology collections and researchers. The Collection Manager will have the opportunity to conduct research to a limited extent. Job Duties Responsibilities include: Overseeing Accessibility and Use of Collections * Processing loans: Specimens borrowed are pulled from collection for inspection, inventoried, packed (in accordance with IATA regulations) and sent. Specimens being returned after being borrowed by us are inventoried, packed and sent. For international transactions, proper paperwork is filed for import and export of specimens. Specimens received on loan to us are unpacked, inventoried and recorded on the collection database. Material being returned to us is checked against invoice as it is unpacked, placed in jars retrieved from collection and then reinstalled in collection. Any ID changes for specimens returned to FMNH are recorded on specimen labels and in collection catalogues. Any correspondence that is necessary as follow up or proceeding loan activity is written; recalls on historical loans are a priority and tissue loans will be frequent. * Cataloguing specimens and maintaining database: (a) New material is incorporated into the collection, including sorting and ID-ing, preparing skeletal material, cataloguing, and labeling and installing. (b) Taxonomic changes are incorporated into specimen ID's, including re-labelling specimens accordingly, making changes in catalogues and re-installing. (c) Specimens are catalogued and updated in EMu; field notes corresponding to collections donated are maintained; loan and accession fields are maintained and organized. * Digitizing specimens. Collections Area Management * Organization and maintenance of collection: All aspects are inspected, including maintenance of alcohol levels, checking for infestations, restoring dehydrated specimens. Collections are kept organized and accessible. Organization of the tissue collection is a priority. * Collection area supplies and equipment: All equipment and supplies are monitored and maintained. Communication and Outreach * Interaction with professional societies and professional collection users. * Interaction with Exhibits and Education, Public Outreach, Tours. Qualifications * Masters in Biology (with an emphasis in Ichthyology), or equivalent, with at least 3 years of collection experience. Ph.D. in Ichthyology is desirable. * Most of the work requires either sitting at a computer, working at a counter to process specimens, or lifting and carrying jars of specimens (up to 2.5 gallons). Rarely, larger jars, barrels (55 gallon) or tanks will have to be moved. There is exposure to alcohol, formalin and glycerin. * An excellent background in Ichthyology is required, including familiarity with other Ichthyology collections and researchers, knowledge of taxonomic principles, and expertise in ichthyology collection management. * Excellent organizational skills are essential to keep the collection accessible. * Knowledge of basic word-processing and spreadsheet software and familiarity with collection databases is a must, as well as knowledge of international and domestic regulations for shipment of alcohol-preserved specimens. * Digitization skills are highly desirable, as is familiarity with tissue collections. * Supervisory and management skills are important for directing collection staff and assisting with budgeting for the collections area. * Excellent communication, listening and collaboration skills are also a must. To apply: http://fieldmuseum.org/about/employment April 2014 * 43 http://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/employment

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections April 2014

From the President
Society Reports
Calendar 2014
What's New
Announcements
Features
Member Profile
Awards
Travel Grants
Employment
Photo Credits
Governance

Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections April 2014