Collections Manager, Invertebrate Paleontology

Collections Manager, Invertebrate Paleontology

Regular Full-Time

Los Angeles, CA, US

The Natural History Museum of LA County (NHMLAC) seeks a Collections Manager of Invertebrate Paleontology (IP). NHMLAC’s IP collection consists of approximately 450,000 lots and about 6-7 million fossil specimens that span the Phanerozoic, but with strengths in Cretaceous and Cenozoic marine invertebrates (particularly mollusks) of western North America.  

The Collections Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the IP collection, including processing loans and acquisitions, maintaining and improving database records, conserving and organizing specimens, managing physical improvements and digitization projects, facilitating the use of the collection by researchers, and supporting the needs of other NHMLAC department.  The Collections Manager will also train and supervise volunteers, students, and other personnel; this position is directly supervised by the Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology.  The primary work location for this position is the IP Collection Center  in Carson, CA, but some time will be spent at the main NHMLAC building in Exposition Park.  The Collections Manager must be able to work at either site as required.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting history with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

This is a full-time regular position with an annual salary range of $70,725.12 - $72,514.32 plus full-time benefits. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cares for the Invertebrate Paleontology collection on a day-­to-­day basis, including organizing and conserving specimens, preparing and processing loans and acquisitions, and facilitating collection visits.  Proposes, develops, and implements plans for collection growth and improvement. 

• Provides documentation for the collection, including cataloging, entering/updating database records, inventorying, and enhancing documentation through digitization.  Responds to requests for information about the collection and shares collection records through external repositories.  

• Participates in education and other public program activities of the Museum including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Handles inquiries from the public and researchers.

• Stays current with trends and techniques in collections management, collection-based research, conservation, digitization, biodiversity informatics, government regulations, and documentation relevant to the management of the IP collection. May lead or participate in ongoing or original research related to the collection.

• Trains, supervises, and manages collections personnel, including interns, students and volunteers.

• Serves as the liaison between NHMLAC Operations, NHMLAC contractors, and the facility landlord for IP Collections Center questions, inspections, and maintenance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3-5 years experience in the collection, organization, care and/or conservation of natural history specimens/collections; relevant experience may have been gained through work as a student or professional.  We expect qualified applicants will have either a substantial history of museum work or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a related field and some museum work experience, but we encourage applicants in their cover letters to explain how their particular combination of education and experience qualifies them for the position.

• Working knowledge of invertebrate taxonomy, geology, and the organization and management of invertebrate paleontology collections.

• Experience with database software and common principles of biodiversity informatics.

• Experience writing reports, grants, professional correspondence, and/or procedure manuals.

• Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups of managers, scientists, and the general public.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion work.

• Experience supervising a large and diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students.

• Working knowledge of external data repositories such as GBIF, iDigBio, and MorphoSource.

• Experience with typical methods used for field collection and processing of invertebrate fossils.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a full-time, regular, exempt position with an annual salary range of $70,725.12 - $72,514.32 plus full-time benefits. 

The primary location for this job is at NHMLA’s Invertebrate Paleontology Collections & Research facility in Carson, CA.  Travel to the central NHM location in Exposition Park in Los Angeles will sometimes be required. Some offsite travel will be required. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, submit a current resume, a 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 https://nhm.org/careers-our-museums/careers-natural-history-museum.  

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

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/herself or others.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please contact jobs@nhm.org for any application inquiries.