240971 - University of Oklahoma

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is searching for a collection manager to administer theherpetology collection, consisting of more than 58,000 physical specimens, specimen records, field notebooks, and audio and visual materials. The research collection is the largest repository of Oklahoma amphibians and reptiles. It has a geographic diversity that covers 46 states and 54 countries, including specimens from Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. University faculty, scientists, curators, staff, students, and national and international scholars use the collections for research, education, and public engagement.

The Collections Manager in Herpetology is responsible for the daily curatorial operations and management of the SNOMNH collections and associated data on amphibians and reptiles. Responsibilities also include training and supervision of curatorial technicians and assistants, research interns, and collection volunteers. Other duties are to: Develop and maintain the collection, database, and associated metadata, and support research staff and exhibition and outreach programs. Maintain the collection website, including the online database and image library. Ensure proper permits and documentation for field collections, accessions, loans, and exchange of museum specimens. Assist the curator, faculty, scholars, and students in accessing and obtaining specimens for their research. Assist in organizing and preparing presentations and programs highlighting collection materials and research activities. Help visiting researchers make use of the collections.

Duties:

• Assists curator in maintaining the overall integrity and long-term preservation of the physical amphibian and reptile (herpetology) collections of the SNOMNH, associated data, and collection-storage environment.
• Implement a comprehensive monitoring program on the status and organization of the physical (fluid, dry), including testing and replacing fluids when needed and upgrading and replacing labels and specimen tags as needed.
• Maintain the collection database, ensuring the digitization of specimen data, records, and information for widespread accessibility and dissemination. Work in tandem with a curator to maintain collection and research lab websites and develop database improvement strategic plans.
• Maintain and enhance standard operating procedures for the care of the collection.
• Manage the processing and record keeping of specimen loans, exchanges, and donations, including following national and international regulations for shipping and receiving, packing specimens to ensure their integrity, filling out and maintaining loan forms, corresponding with researchers to ensure the safe arrival and return of specimens, and overseeing loans requested by curators and students in herpetology.
• Respond to verbal and written requests, including inquiries from the general public.
• Organize and maintain records detailing collection activities, usage, and statuses for the purpose of annual reports, grant proposals and reports, and other relevant documentation.
• Assists in developing and enforcing collection and research lab policies, and procedures, and assessing short- and long-term goals for the collection.
• Identifies and/or re-identifies specimens and reorganizes collection when required due to taxonomic revisions.
• Organize and integrate recently accessioned specimens, and associated data and records into both the collection and databases.
• Arrange and compile essential documentation for specimen accession, encompassing national and international permits and related paperwork; assist curator, researchers, and students in specimen transfer/importation logistics, including coordination with pertinent state, federal, and international offices.
• May conduct some collection-focused research in the field of expertise and/or assist and support the research program of the curator, including (but not limited to) specimen preparation, photographic work, fieldwork, and preparing grant proposals and research publications.
• Assists in public programs and educational and outreach activities, including the development of outreach materials, exhibitions (temporary and permanent), and direct participation in public outreach events as directed. Conduct tours to the public, visiting scholars, and students, and give presentations or informal classes.
• Assist curator in coordinating personnel hires and onboarding.
• Trains and supervises collection assistants, students, volunteers, and interns to carry out curation activities, specimen preparation, and research. Assists visiting researchers make use of the collections.
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position or other related duties as assigned, including (but not limited to) lab safety, inventory, and ordering supplies.
• Participates in scholarly activity outside the university that promotes the SNOMNH collections, as exemplified by attending professional meetings and/or engaging in professional development activities.

Located on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is part of exceptional academic and research communities. Furthermore, with affordable living costs and a diverse range of recreational activities, the city of Norman offers the appeal of a vibrant community with a small-town feel, paired with the cultural and educational opportunities presented by the University of Oklahoma. There are many perks to employment at The University of Oklahoma, including but not limited to: