Herbarium Curatorial Assistant

Staff - Union Job Category CUPE 116 Job Profile CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2 Job Title Herbarium Curatorial Assistant Department Administrative Support | Herbarium Bryophytes, Fungi, Lichens Collection | Beaty Biodiversity Museum | Faculty of Science Compensation Range $4,426.00 - $4,845.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date July 2, 2024 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Mar 31, 2025 This is a 0.80FTE (30 hours/week) position. Salary will be prorated accordingly. 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 Herbarium Collections Curators, the Herbarium Curatorial Assistant is responsible for providing database, digitization and curatorial support to the five collections of the Herbarium.

Organizational Status
The Herbarium Curatorial Assistant reports directly to the two Herbarium Collections Curators. One is responsible for vascular plants and algae, the other is responsible for 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 Curatorial Assistant is responsible for providing database, digitization and curatorial support to the five collections of the Herbarium. Specific duties include:

• 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 Herbarium Collections Curators. The Herbarium 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 Herbarium Collections Curators.

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 plus experience working with a natural history collection

• Minimum of 2 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated understanding of natural history database management systems
• Experience in database entry and digitization of natural history collections
• Experience with Word, Excel, Access, FileMaker, and Photoshop
• Ability to interpret scientific literature and associated literature to meet current database objectives
• Working knowledge of botany, plant taxonomy, identification and systematics of the five groups of specimens in the UBC Herbarium, including vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, lichens, and fungi;
• Demonstrated ability to follow instructions while working independently and within a team environment
• 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
• Good manual dexterity and the ability to work at a computer for long periods of time