Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology

Description

Title: Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Invertebrate Zoology

Reports To: Department Head of Invertebrate Zoology

Pay Band: Curators

Pay Range: $68,640 to $70,350*

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: Responsible for the Invertebrate Zoology collection (exclusive of entomology) including specimens, records, collection personnel, facilities and equipment and related activities. Working with a team of other curators and collection staff in the Invertebrate Zoology department, this role includes activities such as cataloging and managing collections, engaging in scientific research, and participating in public engagement. The incumbent is also expected to help seek funding to support the collections, make them more accessible to scientific and public audiences, and assist in developing and preparing exhibits.

Specific Responsibilities:

Curatorial Duties

• Aids in the management of invertebrate collections including cataloging, specimen curation, and maintaining associated collection records.
• Utilizes the Specify database to catalog and manage digital specimen records.
• Recruits and supervises collection volunteers.
• Sets work priorities for collection projects.
• Ensures that specimens are properly prepared, preserved, handled and stored.
• Ensures that adequate and up-to-date records are maintained for all collection related transactions including development, revision and maintenance of digital cataloguing and loan tracking; tracking all objects through accession, cataloguing, loan, and de-accession.
• Ensures that specimens collected or otherwise acquired by the department are obtained in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws including obtaining required permits and filing appropriate reports when necessary.
• Arranges loans, exchanges and shipping of specimens.
• Provides relevant collection information to researchers, students, or other investigators.
• Assists in preparing and revising the department’s policy and procedures document including the collection policy and procedures manual.
• Researches and recommends updated curatorial procedures and storage methods.
• Solicits, reviews, and selects specimens and other materials donated to the department.

Services

• Answers questions relating to any area of invertebrate zoology; identifies specimens, provides information in the care and handling of the collections, provides reference information to staff, professional organizations/institutions, students, scholars, and the general public, responds to inquiries by telephone, mail, email, or in person.
• Participates in collection tours and presentations for Museum educators, staff, board members, local colleges and universities, and other appropriate entities.
• Organizes and participates in special museum events.
• Organizes, hosts, and coordinates meetings and symposia sponsored by the department or Museum.
• Serves as naturalist on museum sponsored field trips and assists in the preparation of relevant information regarding these field trips.
• Presents lectures on invertebrate zoology to school groups, museum groups, service organizations, and the general public.
• Helps to develop exhibits relating to invertebrate zoology in conjunction with exhibits and education staff; including exhibit concept, content, design, label writing and editing, specimen preparation, supervision of specimen model construction, and assistance with installation.

Administration

• Acquires, documents, and maintains department supplies and equipment.
• Provides data for department reports and annual reports.
• Assists in the preparation of grant and contract proposals.
• Helps formulate department and museum policies and procedures, and short and long-range goals.

Personnel

• Recruits, selects, schedules, trains, and supervises assistants, students, and volunteers.
• Develops and manages collection and laboratory projects for the above listed personnel.
• Ensures that personnel records and timecards for the above listed personnel are properly maintained.
• Supervises and/or provides assistance to staff, students, and research associates.

Research

• Engages in research appropriate to the Museum’s area of concern, and publishes the results in both scientific and popular formats.
• Attends professional meetings and other programs to present results as well as to obtain new information, and to represent the Museum when appropriate.

Professional Involvement

• Participates in workshop, courses, lectures, seminars, and field trips to broaden background and abilities to carry out department and museum duties listed above.
• Engagement in collection-based research or professional development as appropriate.
• Hosts visiting investigators as needed.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.

Essential Requirements:

• Ph.D. in invertebrate zoology, or commensurate experience.
• Experience in museum collections and collections management.
• Experience in invertebrate specimen preparation techniques.
• Strong working knowledge of collection management software, particularly Specify.
• Experience in the supervision and training of staff both paid and voluntary.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including an ability to interact with the general public.
• Excellent writing skills.

Work Environment:

• This is an onsite position.
• General office environment with occasional work throughout the museum’s facilities (exhibit halls, conference rooms, and galleries) with occasional research work outdoors, off site.
• Frequent work typing on computers (repetitive movement – typing).
• Standard scientific research laboratory environment including extensive use of preservation grade ethanol; occasional exposure to formalin, solvents and histological chemicals.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, and bending with occasional lifting of light to moderate loads (10-50 lbs).

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance.  The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job.  The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.