Education Collection & Resource Associate at the American Museum of Natural History

Job Title: Education Collection & Resource Associate

Job Status: Full-time

About the job

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City is one of the premier science, research, and cultural institutions in the country. AMNH is currently seeking a Collection & Resource Associate to complete the transition of the Education Department’s Teaching Collection to its newly renovated 3,000 SF home. The Associate will coordinate the organization, accessioning, deaccessioning and ongoing maintenance of the approximately 17,000 natural history specimens, cultural artifacts and resources that comprise the Collection.

The Education Department’s Teaching Collection is a vast, diverse and essential resource with broad applications in connecting students, teachers, families, and visitors of all ages to the “real stuff” of science—aiding in student instruction, visitor engagement, and teacher professional learning—through touchable objects, artifacts, specimens, and related resources that support science teaching and learning.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Education Operations, the Collection & Resource Associate is the primary staff member responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the Teaching Collection and associated records. The Associate will work with Museum staff, volunteers, and outside vendors to ensure that the collection is properly documented, stored, maintained and accessed. We seek an individual who can demonstrate an ability to work well with Museum colleagues, committees, and across departments, as well as facilitate the effective use of the collection in a variety of Education programs.

The work of the Associate will allow the Teaching Collection to be used more readily and effectively across the Museum’s campus including in the new Gilder Center’s Gottesman Research Library, anticipated to open in Winter 2022.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Database and Documentation Management:

  • Catalogue entire collection including photo documentation, renumbering and barcoding.
  • Provide ongoing maintenance of the collection management database (Collective Access) and object files and ensure integrity of the database.
  • Centralize proper documentation of the Teaching Collection, including accessioning and deaccessioning, conditions logs, reporting and other record management tasks.
  • Assist in updating standard operating procedures for collections use and management.

Collection Use and Care:

  • Monitor use of collection by Museum staff and ensure that proper reporting and check-in/out protocols are followed.
  • Ongoing monitoring of the collection for pest and environmental concerns.
  • Understand and implement Museum best practices/protocols in collections related procedures.
  • Ongoing collaboration with other Museum staff (registrar, conservation, other collections associates, facilities, library, security, legal, etc.).

Programming Support :

  • Facilitate the use of collection and other materials and resources needed for teaching and learning and supporting programs department wide.
  • Coordinate with Education staff on the transition of Teaching Collection objects, artifacts and resources for use with a variety of audiences, including school and camp groups and the general public.
  • In collaboration with the Associate Director and Sr. Director, perform requirements that are part of grant management and deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, anthropology, museum studies, or a closely related field.
  • At least 3 years of professional experience managing collections in a museum/library environment.
  • Thorough knowledge of collections management standards and best practices.
  • Demonstrated experience managing the care, preservation, and documentation of museum collections, especially in museum registration, collections management software, object handling and housing and loan procedures.
  • Proven experience in project management;
  • Organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and take initiative;
  • Capable multi-tasker
  • The ability to perform moderate physical activity, such as climbing ladders, lifting, kneeling, and standing or walking for extended periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • M.A. degree preferred (specialization in museum studies/collection care or closely related fields).
  • Excellent project management skills.

How To Apply:

Apply via LinkedIn