Collections Manager, Natural Sciences [Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St Johnsbury, VT]

Description

Reporting to the Executive Director, the full-time Collections Manager, Natural Sciences has responsibility for the functional core areas of the collections in the Fairbanks Museum’s trust.

The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium seeks a Collections Manager with a background in biological or natural science museum collections who has demonstrated proficiency and knowledge in the core functional areas of Collections Management (CM); current practices recognized by the museum industry for CM; conservation practices; has the administrative and planning capabilities expected of the profession; and has a working knowledge of current and emerging technologies to improve CM practices.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated professional experience with a diverse range of biological specimens (including taxidermy mounts, entomological specimens, dried invertebrate specimens, and herbarium specimens), as well as ethnological collections. The ideal candidate will also have a strong appreciation for related material culture; while the Museum’s areas of concentrations are within the natural sciences, particularly zoology, entomology, botany, and earth sciences, the Collections Manager must have the breadth of knowledge to liaise with a broad range of museums in Vermont and beyond. The Collections Manager will, when required, work closely with the Archivist in matters concerning the Museum’s archival collection. The Collections Manager will also collaborate with the Director of Exhibits in collections-related matters pertaining to the Museum’s displays and exhibits.  This is not a research position.

DUTIES

• Responsible for the application of collections management policies, plans, and practices, including, but not limited to: accession and deaccession, registration and documentation, cataloguing, preservation, conservation, access, risk management, storage, handling, and inventory.
• Work as a critical team member in the collections move and re-organization associated with the completion of a new collections facility in summer 2016.
• Monitoring and analysis of environmental conditions of the collections using eclimatenotebook and the PEM2 system.
• Responsible for data standards and systems for the input, maintenance, and preservation of collections records using PastPerfect.
• Work with Museum staff in the coordinating the of the Museum’s collections for exhibits, education, research, and public information.
• Consult with conservators, curators and researchers to advance the preservation, interpretation, and cataloguing of the collections.
• Organize, supervise and evaluate volunteers.
• Present collections stewardship requirements to staff, volunteers, and trustees.
• Obtain funds and other forms of support for stewardship, development, and interpretation of the collections.
• Promote the importance of the Museum’s collections through presentations and programs delivered to Museum visitors, community organizations and school groups.
• Draft, implement and monitor policies and budgets for the Collections Department.
• Serve on the Museum’s Management team.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s in zoology, museum studies with an emphasis on curating science, or closely related discipline required and 4 years of related experience or Master’s in zoology, museum studies with an emphasis on curating science, or closely related discipline with 2 years of related experience. Experience with natural history collections essential. Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed. Eagerness to live in Vermont’s beautiful and rural Northeast Kingdom.

Send cover letter, resume and contact information for three references to Adam Kane, Executive Director at akane@fairbanksmuseum.org. EOE.  Applications due by April 15.