Interim Head of Collections and Operations

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socio-economic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Interim Head of Collections and Operations position. The Interim Head of Collections and Operations is a fixed-term position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $35.00 to $40.00.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors including but not limited to relevant education training and experience tenure status and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

Amherst College is seeking an Interim Head of Collections and Operations for its Beneski Museum of Natural History a flexible position from February 16 to November 6. Reporting to the Museum Director the Interim Head of Collections and Operations is primarily responsible for maintaining the condition and physical stability of the museums 200000 natural history specimens housed in two facilities: the Beneski Museum and the space allocated to the Museum in the Bunker. The ideal candidate will be experienced with natural history museum collections management particularly paleontological and archaeological specimens and gems and minerals. Experience with digitization is highly desirable.

The Interim Head of Collections and Operations manages the day-to-day operation of the Museum working at all levels of museums operations. Responsibilities include those of a curator collections manager and preparator archivist business and facility manager and program coordinator. The Head of Collections and Operations is the primary responsible party for maintaining the condition physical stability and usage of the museums 200000 natural history specimens housed in two facilities: the Beneski Museum and the space allocated to the Museum in the Bunker. The Interim Head of Collections and Operations also trains and supervises the Museum Technician (a 17-hr/week ongoing casual employee); college custodians who work within the Museum; and a varying number of student interns who may work in inventorying specimens updating databases and catalogs specimen-based research specimen preparation and/or other tasks.

The Interim Head of Collections and Operations work is complex with constant changes in priorities demanding that they be self-directed and capable of prudent and appropriate autonomous decisions. The Head of Collections and Operations makes decisions that require sensitivity to issues of confidentiality and that have significant economic impact due to the value of the specimens in their care. There is a planned but brief period of overlap with the Head of Collections and Operations before the Interim will be expected to operate largely independently with minimal supervision. During most of the interim period the Director will be off-site with irregular access to communication.

The Beneski Museum is dedicated to:

• Preserving and interpreting the physical evidence of the geological history of the Earth the evolutionary history of its inhabitants and the processes that have shaped both through time.

• Providing direct experience with the materials and former inhabitants of the Earth.

• Challenging visitors to consider problems of scientific interpretation.

• Stimulating the scientific curiosity and observational acuity of students and scholars fostering in them a spirit of inquiry stewardship and wonder toward the Earth.

Summary of Responsibilities:

CURATOR:

• Cataloging catalog development and catalog maintenance for nine museum collections including digital database development and management.

• Specimen and provenance research; review literature to update citations on major collections.

• Fielding research inquiries and supporting teaching and research done by Amherst students and faculty and visiting scientists from around the world. This involves investigating the collections identifying uncataloged material pulling relevant specimens from storage providing catalog information designing & generating database reports based on researcher/museum needs developing strategies for safe usage/transport.

• Researching and developing temporary and special exhibitions.

• Attending and presenting about the collections at regional and national conferences/workshops

• Initiating and completing accession and deaccession procedures consistent with Museum policy.

• Reviewing and updating policies in collaboration with the Museum Director.

COLLECTIONS MANAGER & PREPARATOR:

• Maintaining the condition and physical stability of all specimens in two facilities: the Beneski Museum and the space allocated to the Museum in the Bunker.

• Monitoring agents of deterioration and implementing interventions as needed to reduce deterioration.

• Performing specimen repair and stabilization; staying current in best practices; identifying specimens in need of specialized treatment by a conservator.

• Supervising specimen housing storage shipping and retrieval.

• Managing all aspects of outgoing and incoming loans.

ARCHIVIST:

• Managing documentation of Museum history including museum correspondence the origin and evolution of various collections and the history and works of various Museum staff and Amherst faculty.

• Curating the Museums Loomis Library of publications on vertebrate paleontology with works dating to the mid-19th century.

• Collaborating with College Archives in preserving and documenting museum and collection histories.

OPERATIONS:

• Conducting day-to-day purchasing operations (researching and stocking necessary supplies and materials for specialized Museum functions).

• Coordinating shipping and receiving.

• Managing public relations: including but not limited to correspondence and inquiries whether by mail email or phone; requests for media usage; production of museum brochures.

• Monitoring and maintaining exhibits interpretive signs collections lighting and environmental conditions in two facilities: the Beneski Museum (galleries labs and collections storage) and Museum space in the College Bunker.

• Supervising all custodial and trade activities within the Museum; providing specialized training to museum custodians and floaters.

• Liaising with the Museum Security Manager including programming the Museum security system.

• Participating in all programming activities at the Museum including College events public outreach events and special programs.

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree; Museum Science Paleontology Geology Physical Anthropology Anatomy or related field.

• Equivalent combination of education/experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience; 5 to 7 years relevant education/experience.

• 3-5 years of direct natural history museum experience including some working knowledge of:

• Standard museum policies for specimen handling and use in research and teaching including loan and deaccession policies;

• Collections documentation practices such as catalog development specimen storage and cataloging and provenience research and documentation;

• Digital database development data population database aggregation and management;

• Standards of museum documentation (correspondence request forms loan forms etc.);

• Methods and best practices of specimen repair stabilization mounting and storage and appropriate materials;

• Necessary environmental conditions (light temperature humidity) for collection stability;

• Standards of museum security.

• Strong written and verbal communication interpersonal time management and organizational skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to take initiative to multitask and to work independently and collaboratively.

• Database and spreadsheet management webpage management and word processing computer skills.

• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.

• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.

• Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test.

• A valid drivers license and successful credentialing is required to operate college vehicles.

Applications should include:

• Resume/CV

• Responses to Application Questions listed below (pdf attachment):

  • Why are you interested in working as the interim Head of Collections

  • Briefly describe the experiences skills and knowledge that have prepared you for this work.

  • Describe any experience you have working with NAGPRA collections.

  • Please list three professional and/or intellectual goals.

  • Please provide the names and contact information for three references.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.