Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant

Staff - Union

Job Category
CUPE 116

Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title
Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant

Department
Administrative Support | Herbarium Bryophytes, Fungi, Lichens Collection | Beaty Biodiversity Museum | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$4,025.00 - $4,407.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
April 7, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2023

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

Job Summary
The Beaty Biodiversity Museum, part of UBC s Beaty Biodiversity Centre, houses over 2.1 million natural history specimens, presents educational programs and exhibits and includes a teaching lab, auditorium, and a museum store. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is divided into several major collections - Spencer Entomological Collection, Cowan Tetrapod Collection, Fossil Collection, Fish Collection, Marine Invertebrate Collection and the Herbarium which has several collections within itself.
The Herbarium cares for 800,000 specimens and objects and is a major resource for research and undergraduate and graduate engagement for the Faculty of Science supporting the museum’s public outreach and educational programming. The Herbarium is overseen by the Herbarium Director in consultation with Faculty Curators. Collections Curators manage day-to-day activities in collections.
Working directly with the Collections Curator of Bryophytes, Lichens and Fungi the Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant is responsible for providing database, digitization and curatorial support to the bryophytes collection of the Herbarium.
Organizational Status
The Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant reports directly to the Collections Curator of Bryophytes, Lichens and Fungi. Additional interactions include working with the Herbarium Director, Faculty Curators, museum personnel, students, volunteers, and other visitors to the Herbarium
 

Work Performed

The Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant is responsible for providing database, digitization and curatorial support for the bryophytes collection of the Herbarium. Specific duties include:

-Processing bryophyte specimens, including preparing specimen packets, sorting specimens, rehousing specimens, entering data, accessioning specimens, producing and applying labels and annotation slips, updating and correcting previous records, georeferencing, photographing, and filing specimens in the collection
- Assisting with Herbarium collections database management
- Digitizing specimens, including scanning and ensuring proper image storage
- Assisting in processing specimens, including entering new data records, updating and correcting previous records, filing specimens in the collection
- Processing collection loans, exchanges and collection requests including pulling and filing specimens, and processing specimens for shipping
- Supervising volunteers and student workers
- Assisting with tracking activities of students, staff and researchers and assisting in reporting
- Interacting with and supporting the activities of researchers and students using the collections
- Preparing and fixing delicate, irreplaceable scientific specimens
- Performing other related tasks as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work is reviewed by supervisors. Poor work performance will jeopardize museum specimens, compromise database integrity, yield inaccurate and un-searchable results, and potentially limit the research endeavors of the Herbarium.
Supervision Received
Tasks will be assigned by the Collections Curator of Bryophytes, Lichens and Fungi. The Bryophytes Curatorial Assistant will be responsible for working independently, and exercising initiative and judgment to complete tasks. All work and decisions are subject to review by the Collections Curator of Bryophytes, Lichens and Fungi.
Supervision Given
Supervision of student workers and volunteers. Helps oversee accuracy and production
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications

- B.Sc. in Biology, coursework in bryology and/or equivalent practical experience with bryophytes

- Experience working with a natural history collection, specifically bryophytes specimens

- Minimum of 2 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

- Demonstrated understanding of natural history database management systems

- Proficiency in digitizing natural history collections
- Demonstrated experience with natural history database management systems, particularly Symbiota, FileMakerPro, and/or Specify

- Experience accessioning natural history specimens
- Experience preparing specimen loans

- Working knowledge of bryophyte taxonomy and ability to interpret taxonomic literature
- Demonstrated ability to follow instructions while working independently and within a team environment
- Experience working with and training student workers
- Experience with Word, Excel, Access, FileMaker, and Photoshop
- Accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to reliably carry out simple calculations
- Strong English language skills, effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, and multitasking skills
- Excellent manual dexterity and the ability to work at a computer for long periods of time