Assistant Collections Manager- LBTP

Assistant Collections Manager at Rancho La Brea The Natural History Museum of LA County (NHMLAC) seeks an Assistant Collections Manager (ACM) for the Rancho La Brea Department (RLB). The RLB collections are housed at the La Brea Tar Pits Museum in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, an active fossil excavation site and facility with over 3.5 million specimens covering a time span of at least the last 60,000 years. The collections consist of osteological vertebrate remains (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals), invertebrates (arthropods and molluscs), botanical specimens (wood, seeds, leaves, pollen, phytoliths), archaeological material (prehistoric and historic artifacts), and a reprint library. This permanent position is directly supervised by a Collections Manager at RLB. The ACM will assist the Collections Managers in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the RLB collections. This includes; identifying, cataloging, curating, inventorying, conserving and organizing specimens, assisting with physical improvements and digitization projects, facilitating the use of the collections by visiting researchers, processing loans and acquisitions, and supporting the needs of other NHMLAC departments such as Exhibitions, Education, Programming, and Communications, as they relate to the RLB collections. The ACM will also supervise volunteers, students, and other personnel. The successful candidate will have a broad working knowledge of taxonomy and osteology, as well as experience in paleontological fieldwork. NHMLAC values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply. The NHMLAC is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to engage and include culturally diverse audiences in museums and in science. The desired start date is in fall 2022. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Assist in caring for the RLB collections on a day-to-day basis including; identifying, cataloging, and curating specimens, data entry, facilitating visiting researchers, packing/unpacking research loans, and engaging with departmental staff in proposing, developing, and implementing plans for collections growth and improvement. * Stay current with trends and techniques in collections management, collection-based research, taxonomy, conservation, digitization, and documentation relevant to the management of the RLB collections. * Participate in Education and other Public Program activities at the Museum including but not limited to collections tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Handle inquiries from the public and researchers. * Supervise interns, students, and volunteers. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * At least five years of paid professional work in a museum role as a Curatorial Assistant or related positions in Collections and Research Departments with a proven ability to work in an academic setting. * A Bachelor's degree in Biology, Geoscience, Paleontology, Museum Studies, or related academic discipline, Master's degree in the above disciplines is preferred. * A broad understanding of Zoological and/or Botanical nomenclature and a general working knowledge of osteology. * Experience in standard museum and curatorial practices, familiarity with collections management best practices and systems, and experience handling museum objects and specimens. * Must be a self-starter, be able to work both well with others in a team-oriented office and work independently with minimal supervision. Must communicate effectively with supervisor and peers. * Experience using various Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Google applications, and willingness to embrace new software and tools when necessary. * Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, high level of accuracy with data, focus in performing repetitive tasks, strong problem-solving skills, ability to meet deadlines, and excellent oral and written communication. * Must have a flexible approach to ensuring the success of assigned goals. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Working knowledge of digitization techniques such as digital photography, photogrammetry, 3D scanning, etc. and management of digital assets. * Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion work * Experience supervising and communicating with volunteers and/or students. * Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups of managers, scientists, and the general public. * Experience with moving Museum collections, de-installation of exhibits, specimen tracking, etc. * Working knowledge of external data repositories such as GBIF, iDigBio, and MorphoSource. OTHER INFORMATION: Hourly salary for this position is $22.75-$24.69. This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position with excellent benefits. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. The primary location for this job is at La Brea Tar Pits Museum in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California. Travel to the NHMLAC location in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, as well as to offsite warehouses will sometimes be required. Applicants and employees are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek or occupy. The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health or safety of him/her/themself or others. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit a current CV, a detailed cover letter describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, and the names and contact information of three professional references through the Museum's employment site at website The NHMLAC established a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for staff, effective August 10, 2021. NHMLAC is requiring that all staff receive the vaccine for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemptions for documented medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may be requested. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

#06022021