Entomology Collections Manager – Wild Bees of Montana

Updated: 1 day ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24288
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Michael Ivie
[email protected]
406-994-4610
Classification Title Research Professional
Working Title Entomology Collections Manager – Wild Bees of Montana
Brief Position Overview
We seek a highly qualified and enthusiastic entomologist to contribute to the Wild Bees of Montana Project.
Current research emphasizes faunistic and revisional work on bees and beetles. This opening is for a person to work with the grant-funded Wild Bees of Montana Project, a multi-year effort to document the fauna of Montana in terms of both number of species and their distributions, as well as taxonomic and data tools to allow their further study.
The Montana Entomology Collection (MTEC) is the largest natural history museum in Montana, with some 3 million curated specimens. It is housed in Marsh Lab on the west part of the Bozeman Campus. Part of the Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology (PSPP) Department of the College of Agriculture, faculty, staff, students and cooperators conduct curatorial, research and educational activities.
You are welcome to apply/interview for this position but the Plant Sciences Department lacks the necessary funding to provide sponsorship at this time.
Position Number 4C0454
Department Plant Sciences
Division College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Non-Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $45,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University enrolls over 16,500 students, including over 2,000 graduate students. MSU is in Bozeman, Montana, a community of 53,000 situated in the Gallatin Valley, and part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
The MTEC is part of the Entomology Group, a multi-departmental group of faculty that teach and advise graduate students in offering the M.S. degree in Entomology, and an undergraduate Minor in Entomology. They also collaborate in offering related Ph.D. programs. Specialized entomology facilities include an insect quarantine facility in the Plant Growth Center, a bee yard, the Pollinator Health Center, the Schutter Diagnostic Lab, and the Montana Entomology Collection. Entomology teaching collections for general entomology, insect identification, aquatic entomology, veterinary entomology and insect morphology are also available.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate, under the direction of the Curator and Associate Curator for Apoidea, will supervise personnel and conduct museum activities including specimen and data handling, as well as some field work. Specimen and data handling will include specimen-lot evaluation and sorting, cleaning, mounting, labeling, databasing, identifying, sorting, database updates, loan assembly and processing, loan return incorporation, permit documentation, correspondence, mapping and graphical presentation. This person will provide research support to project staff and graduate students as directed. Active participation and service in professional entomology organizations is hoped for.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in Entomology or related field with a significant entomology component documented by transcripts of appropriate classes, including taxonomic classes and specimen preparation and handling. Appropriate collections experience in curation and taxonomy of insects, especially bees, may be substituted for the BS.
  • Supervisory skills.
  • Experience in databasing, database management, and workflows.
  • Experience with mapping and graphical presentation of distribution data.
  • Computer skills with PC computers, Microsoft and Adobe products. NOTE: work will be exclusively with PC computers.
  • Flexibility in moving between tasks as needed.
  • Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Master of Science in Entomology with an emphasis in taxonomy.
  • Knowledge of bee taxonomy and research techniques.
  • Statistical methods skills.
  • R-programing.
  • Photography skills.
  • The Successful Candidate Will
    • Excellent dexterity and eyesight allowing for detailed handling and mounting of small to very small specimens.
    • Detail-oriented focus on care of handling specimens, accurate data entry, collection organization and other tasks.
    • Ability to focus on repetitive tasks for long periods of time while removed from electronic entertainment.
    • Ability to focus with other activities happening in the surrounding area.
    • Ability to work around chemicals used in collection, curating and preservation of insect collections.
    • Good interpersonal skills.
    • Good to excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    • Desire to work with a diverse community of co-workers, students and community members.
    • Flexibility in moving between tasks as needed.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    • Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.
    • Some outreach activities will be required, and occasional overnight travel involving back-country travel will be expected.

    This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
    Physical Demands
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Requires sitting and walking up and down stairs.
    This position has supervisory duties? Yes

    Posting Detail Information


    Number of Vacancies 1
    Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
    Position End Date (if temporary)
    Open Date
    Close Date
    Applications will be:
    Screening of applications will begin on April 2, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
    Special Instructions
    Diversity Statement
    Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
    In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
    MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html


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