[NHCOLL-L:3823] Position Available: Herpetology Collection Manager

[Marcy Revelez]

University of Oklahoma
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Position Description

I.  Title: Collection Manager in Herpetology


II.  Function:

Responsible for assisting Curators in the management and maintenance  
of the amphibian and reptile collections in the Department of  
Herpetology at the SNOMNH.



III.  Representative duties:

Assists curators in maintaining the overall integrity of the  
amphibian and reptile (herpetology) collections of the SNOMNH.   
Investigates best-practice collection management protocols used by  
other professionals dedicated to the long-term care of herpetology  
collections.  Maintains and adds to the Department’s reprint  
collection on herpetology collection care.

Accessions and catalogs incoming collections.  Follows exact  
procedures for washing, tagging, entering specimen data into  
collection database, and integrating specimens into the collection.   
May aid in collecting and fixing amphibians and reptiles according to  
accepted procedures and guidelines.

Maintains current fluid collection by testing and replacing fluids  
when needed, upgrading and replacing labels and specimen tags as  
needed, verifying localities, and ensuring stability of collection  
room conditions.  Identifies and/or re-identifies specimens and  
reorganizes collection when required due to taxonomic revisions.

Is responsible for keeping herpetology collection room, laboratories,  
and library clean, organized, and properly stocked.  Monitors  
environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.  Oversees  
daily function of these spaces and ensures that all division  
personnel are informed of and adhere to all health and safety  
guidelines.

Maintains current collection database, which is available for  
searching on the SNOMNH website.  Interfaces with the SNOMNH IT  
personnel to ensure the integrity of the database.  Checks website  
frequently to determine whether problems have arisen.  Works with  
personnel on national level (i.e., Herp-Net) to integrate collection  
data with national database where appropriate.  Will take the lead in  
upcoming migration of collection databases from FileMaker Pro to  
Specify.

Maintains, and, in some cases, prepares, ancillary collections,  
including vocalization tapes and digital files, skeletal  
preparations, cleared and stained specimens, and tanned specimens.   
Will become familiar with protocols for preparation of these  
specimens, including procedures and practices used in the SNOMNH  
Dermestid Facility.  Is familiar with protocols for taking and  
maintaining tissues from specimens and interfaces with the SNOMNH  
Genomics Collection.

Responsible for all phases of loaning specimens to other institutions  
for research, including following national and international  
regulations for shipping and receiving, packing specimens to ensure  
their integrity, filling out and maintaining loan forms, and  
corresponding with researchers to ensure the safe arrival and return  
of specimens.  Handles loans requested by curators and graduate  
students in herpetology.  Interfaces with SNOMNH Registrar.   
Maintains inventory of all division supplies and equipment.  Is  
responsible for organizing and cleaning herpetology storeroom.  In  
consultation with the curators, orders supplies and equipment as needed.

              Assists in and conducts collection-related research as  
directed by the curators.  May assist curators in herpetology  
fieldwork locally and abroad.  Assists in gathering data for  
curators’ grant proposals or with writing grant proposals.  Develops  
professionally by being member of various societies as appropriate  
(i. e., Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections)  
and attending annual meetings or workshops provided by these  
societies as funding permits.  Engages in other professional  
development activities as approved by the curators.

May give division tours, present lectures, or assist museum education  
and exhibit personnel with herpetology-related or collection-related  
questions or events.  Participates in annual events hosted by  
SNOMNH.  Conducts other tasks as assigned by the curators.



VI.  Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications include a BA or BS degree in life sciences  
with two years of relevant experience.  Preferred qualifications  
include an MS degree in life sciences with an emphasis in herpetology  
and three years of relevant experience.  In either case, we seek an  
energetic person who has the ability to work independently or as part  
of a team and who has excellent organizational skills and a detail- 
oriented approach to work.  The successful candidate will be  
motivated to develop new, creative projects that enhance the care and  
usefulness of the collection.  The candidate should have basic  
knowledge of museum practices and standards for collection care;  
excellent oral, written, supervisory, and basic mechanical skills;  
computer skills and ability to adapt rapidly to changes in  
technology; and the ability to interact in a positive and  
enthusiastic manner with others in the workplace.  Desirable  
qualifications include experience with Mac computers and with  
relational databases (FileMaker Pro, Specify) and other relevant  
software; enthusiasm for occasionally participating in preparation of  
museum exhibits and in the education department’s field trips or  
courses for children and adults.



VII.  For more information or to apply online, please go to http:// 
jobs.ou.edu.  Go to “Search Listings” and enter the requistion number  
05150.  Information may also be obtained from Janalee Caldwell  
(caldwell at ou.edu) or Laurie Vitt (vitt at ou.edu).








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