Malacology Collections Technician Ii

Description:

This position is in the Malacology Collection within the Department of Natural Sciences at the Bishop Museum. Under the direction of the Malacology Collections Manager and in coordination with the Malacology Curators, the Malacology Collections Technician is responsible for assisting Malacology staff, visitors, and interns with all aspects of collections management and collections-based research activities as they relate to fulfilling the Museum’s mission of preserving, perpetuating, and understanding the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and the broader Indo-Pacific. The incumbent is expected to perform duties in close collaboration with not only the Malacology staff, but other collections and research staff across the museum, particularly within the Department of Natural Sciences.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the Collections Manager with processing specimens for preservation and storage using appropriate methods and techniques to provide for their optimum use research, education, and outreach (e.g. exhibits).

• Participates in the identification, recording, organization, preservation, and storage of the collections per Malacology, departmental, and disciplinary standards to enhance access and retrieval of materials for research and long-term security.

• Assists with the updating and maintenance of collection databases (specimen, geographic, bibliographic, etc.) including managing digital images and sound files to ensure preservation of all forms of metadata associated with collections in Malacology.

• Help maintain equipment and facilities in accordance with best practices and safety guidelines established in Malacology and by the Department of Natural Sciences.

• Conducts regular IPM monitoring and intervention for pests, temperature, humidity, light, and dirt. Operates and maintains monitoring supplies and equipment.

• Assists museum staff, visiting researcher, and students in using and accessing collections resources for the purposes of research and collections management, and to fulfill the museum’s strategic plans.

• Assists with routine curatorial tasks including 1. monitoring level, pH, and specific gravity of fluid preservatives; 2. freeze-sterilizing specimens and supplies; 3. taking inventories; 4. maintaining organization in cabinets and drawers.

• Coordinates with the Collections Manager on specimen loan transactions, accessions, and deaccessions according to current collection management policies and procedures to ensure the creation and maintenance of appropriate records.

• Works with and supervises volunteers and interns, as necessary, to ensure proper maintenance and security of the collections.

• Interprets/identifies collections samples, classifies, and organizes into taxonomic groups as appropriate (i.e., Order, Family, Subfamily, etc.) to facilitate access and retrieval of the collections.

• Assists other staff, visiting researchers and the public requiring access to the collections, to ensure the safety and security of the collections and to fulfill public outreach goals.

• Works with federal and state agencies to ensure compliance with all collecting, salvaging, processing, and shipping regulations.

• Participation on field trips for the purpose of surveying, sampling, collecting, and general research activities to locations that may be remote from medical facilities and other urban infrastructure, and may involve activities such as hiking, camping, climbing, rope work (such as rappelling and use of rope bridges), transport via helicopter and other small aircraft, working from boats (ships and small craft), submersible diving, snorkeling, scuba diving and other similar activities necessary to fulfill the objectives of the associated research activities.

• Engages in safe work practices to not endanger fellow staff members, volunteers, visitors, or self. Complies with all safety rules and regulations and establishes safe work practices. Reads and complies with all safety materials received. Promptly reports unsafe conditions and unsafe acts and accidents to appropriate individuals. Maintains assigned work area in safe working conditions.

• Performs other duties as applicable and assigned by the Collections Manager.

Qualifications

• All levels: Working knowledge and proficiency with basic computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, intern browser, email clients, and general database software.

• Technician Level I: BS degree in biology or related field, and a desire to learn discipline specific skills and knowledge necessary.

• Technician Level II: MS degree in biology or related field, or BS degree in biology AND 2 years laboratory or museum research and collections experience.

• Technician Level III: MS degree in biology or related field, or BS degree biology AND 4 years laboratory or museum research and collections experience.