Sternberg Museum of Natural History seeks a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track zoological collections manager to oversee the care and management of its extensive and growing zoological collections including: Herpetology (16,000+ specimens), Mammalogy (45,000+ specimens plus 2 holotypes), Ichthyology (750,000 specimens), Ornithology (4500 specimens), Mussels (5000+) and Entomology (100,000+ insects). Collections consist of fluid-preserved specimens, skins, dry skeletons, histological, and frozen tissues. The collections focus on the Great Plains of the U.S.
Essential Duties:
- Supervise zoology collections access, handling, and care, including overseeing accessions, loans, annual inventories, data entry, and integrated pest management
- Initiate, develop, and implement collection improvement grants
- Manage collections databases, data aggregators and maintain digital data standards
- Supervision of Graduate Curatorial Assistants, students, and volunteers
- Work collaboratively with museum Education Director and Exhibits Director on museum programs and exhibits
- Maintain and report on annual scientific collection permits
- Maintain internal and external partnerships with collaborators and collaborative institutions
- Report on annual use of collections including specimen searches, tissue loans and published papers listing FHSM
- Other duties as assigned by the Director
In addition to these essential duties, the following are important areas in which the collection manager may participate, assist or take a leading role.
- Teach a course on Collections Management in alternating years as a part of the FHSU museum studies program (this includes additional adjunct pay).
- Participate on the university’s IACUC committee
- Participate on or lead contracted field research at Ft. Leavenworth (10 yr contract)
- Collaborate in the care of the museum’s 23 acres of nature trails
- Care of the 23 species of rattlesnakes on exhibit and consult on care of other live animals at the museum that are under the care of the museum naturalist
Priority Deadline: August 17, 2022
Required Application Documents:
Qualified candidates should submit a single PDF containing:
- Cover letter including a candidate statement addressing experience, qualifications, and how the applicant is suited to the position
- Current CV or resume;
- The names and contact information of at least three professional references.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in zoology or museum studies with specialty in zoology Expertise with taxonomy and identification of more than one taxonomic group (mammals, herps, fish, insects) Field collecting experience Experience in preparing and conserving specimens, including use of preservation chemicals
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with collection-based databases and web-based applications Demonstrated skills in public speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication skills Evidence of effective teaching at the university level Knowledge of museum collection practices and standards.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Dr. Reese Barrick
ABOUT THE STERNBERG MUSEUM:
The Sternberg Museum of Natural History advances an appreciation and understanding of Earth’s natural history and the evolutionary forces that impact it. With an emphasis on the Great Plains, our goals are accomplished through research, publications, collections, interpretive exhibits, and educational programs created by our staff, colleagues, and community.
The Museum is a department of the Peter J. Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at Fort Hays State University. The museum hosts approximately 40,000 visitors each year with outreach programs that reach another 5,000 people. The Sternberg has 23 acres of nature trails adjacent to the museum.
In terms of scientific holdings, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History ranks among the best natural history museums. No other state university of comparable size to FHSU has a natural history museum comparable in size and scientific importance as the Sternberg Museum. Our collections include one of the finest assemblages of Pteranodon material, the largest collection of fossil grasses, and a truly outstanding collection of Cretaceous marine and Neogene terrestrial vertebrate fossils. The Sternberg also holds some of the largest collections of mammals, reptiles, fish and plants from Kansas and the Great Plains.
