[NHCOLL-L:3016] Malacologist/Assistant Collections Manager Position to be filled

[Steve Sullivan]

Position title:  Malacologist/Assistant Collections Manager

Reports to:  Collections Manager

Department:  Biology

Date:  March 27, 2006

Organization Description:  The Chicago Academy of Sciences was founded in
1857 as Chicago's first museum, dedicated to the preservation and display of
native specimens. Today the Academy's collection, due to its age and type,
is among the most important in the world.  In 1999, the Academy opened the
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park.  It has welcomed more than
1,000,000 visitors and is a unique venue for the public, especially urban
dwellers, to find new ways to reconnect with the natural world. The Museum
provides award-winning exhibits and programs to 65,000 students annually and
trains and provides resources for more than 2,000 Chicago teachers. The
Nature Museum is one of
the city's best examples of eco-friendly building technology, including a
green roof, solar panels, natural light sources and native landscaping. The
Academy and its Museum are engaged in important conservation and research
work, such as its Butterfly Restoration Project.

Summary of Position:  The Chicago Academy of Sciences, Notebaert Nature
Museum seeks an independently motivated person to work full-time in the
historically important malacology collection, initiate a malacology-based
biological conservation program, and assist with the care of other divisions
in the Academy's collections.

The Academy's malacology collection was largely amassed from the mid 1800's
to the mid 1900's by scientists including Robert Kennicott and Frank C.
Baker.  The Academy's other collections are similarly historic, with
specimens ranging from animals and plants to minerals and photographs.  All
aspects of collections care and use are overseen by the Collections Manager,
within the Department of Biology.  The majority of work takes place at an
off-site collections storage facility and utilizes a corps of dedicated
volunteers.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
.	Creates and implements a curatorial plan for the care and curation of the
malacology collection.
.	Relocates malacology specimens to upgraded storage conditions.
.	Oversees the accurate entry of specimen information into computer
database.
.	Updates and verifies nomenclature of malacology specimens.
.	Develops and implements a field-oriented program for conservation of
Illinois mollusks.
.	Assists the Collections Manager in caring for the other scientific
collections and contribute to a variety of other projects such as exhibit
development, collections tours, and pest management.
.	Works closely with the Development department to prepare grant
applications for support of malacology projects.
.	Manages a corps of dedicated volunteer assistants.

Qualifications:
.	Minimum of a Master of Science degree in a biological field with two years
of practical malacology experience.
.	Demonstrated ability to identify North American freshwater mollusca.
.	Proven ability to conduct ecological research.
.	Experience with databases and databasing software
.	Demonstrated ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences through
both oral and written communications.
.	Willingness to manage volunteers.
.	Ability to work independently in an offsite location with 32-inch aisles.
.	Ability to lift 50 pounds.
.	Valid driver's license.
.	Preference will be given to individuals who also have museum experience.
.	A demonstrated commitment to nature, conservation, and community
involvement.

Salary Range:  Competitive based on experience and qualifications.


Please forward resume, cover letter, and three letters of recommendation to:

Steve Sullivan, Collections Manager
Chicago Academy of Sciences, Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614

Or email

ssullivan at naturemuseum.org

No phone calls, please.