POSITION SUMMARY:
The Botanical Collections of the California Academy of Sciences contain more than 2.3 million specimens, including the largest collection of California vascular plants, historical collections from the Galapagos Islands, Mexico, and Europe and a rapidly growing collection of bryophytes. These collections are heavily used by researchers from around the world. The collections staff process dozens of loan and image requests each year in addition to hosting scores of visiting researchers and students.

Reporting to the Collections Manager of Botany, and working under minimal supervision, the Curatorial Assistant III performs various duties related to collections acquisition, care and organization. In addition to ongoing departmental activities, the Curatorial Assistant III may undertake independent curatorial projects related to the maintenance of the collections. Assigned responsibilities range from average to difficult in nature and require advanced knowledge of plant taxonomy and herbarium curation.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy. Explore Our Commitment to Racial Equity to learn about our intentional engagement of traditionally excluded groups in an effort to spark interest in or foster pathways to scientific careers.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Processes specimens, including sorting, cataloging, and preparing labels from field notebooks or digital sources, and integrating existing or incoming material
Performs routine curatorial duties such as processing incoming and outgoing loans and other shipments
Assists in overseeing departmental digitization activities; must become familiar with specimen database, operating digital camera equipment, scanners and image processing software
Trains new staff, interns and volunteers in the processing, preparation and maintenance of collections and digitization activities
Assists Collections Manager in maintaining the quality of information in the database; includes verifying and updating information input by others and uploading data from other database platforms
Assists visitors, students or scientists in the use of the collections; leads departmental tours and occasional public demonstrations
Contribute to the building of exchange material by participating in or contributing to field collection efforts
May be asked to participate in or present talks at professional scientific meetings
May be asked to serve on Academy-wide committees, or as a liaison for the Collections Manager on standing committees

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload a resume and complete the brief online application.
https://californiaacademyofsciences.applytojob.com/apply/06GEYpA7zz/Curatorial-Assistant-Ill?referrer=20211130180336J6I44MXYUPHASSYG

Contact Collection Manager Emily Magnaghi with any questions.
emagnaghi@calacademy.org

May assist in the preparation of grant proposals
May be asked to do library or archival research to answer inquiries or in the performance of routine curation of collections
May be asked to provide taxonomic identifications consistent with education and training or experience appropriate to this position
Follow all Academy safety regulations
Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:

Knowledge of literature and curatorial procedures in botanical collections, college coursework that includes systematic botany and other botany courses OR an equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s degree is desirable
Minimum of 2 years experience with herbarium collections
Experience organizing and participating in collecting expeditions is desirable
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent organizational and time-management skills
Ability to work both independently, as part of a team, and as a team leader
Thorough understanding of routine collection management tasks and the ability to train and supervise Curatorial Assistants, Volunteers and Students
Specific knowledge of systematic botany and the literature relevant to the field
Ability to learn new computer software (for example, Specify or other database platforms, image processing software, etc.); familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Apps; knowledge of image capture and post processing software is desirable
Ability to read and translate Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, or other non-English language desirable
Willingness to collaborate by bringing new ideas, creating inventive solutions and designing efficiencies to transform manual or detailed processes
Familiarity with the California/western North American flora is desirable
Passion for equity and inclusion in the workplace