[Nhcoll-l] Plant Mounter Position Available

[Brad Ruhfel]

Greetings,

We have just posted a full-time plant moutner position at the University of
Michigan Herbarium. The position is initially posted until Oct. 18. Please
help spread the word!


See the details below, and also at this link:

https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/269560/plant-mounter-ii

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should
be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should
address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and
experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary

WHO WE ARE
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is seeking a Plant
Mounter at the University of Michigan Herbarium (
https://lsa.umich.edu/herbarium), located at the new Research Museums
Center (RMC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Herbarium develops and maintains
collections explicitly for use in research and education, benefiting
science, society, and the university at large. The scientific role of the
Herbarium is to train students and engage in systematic biology and
biodiversity studies. These broad and overlapping fields entail the
discovery and study of the diversity of organisms, their evolutionary
relationships, and the processes that generate biodiversity. EEB has an
outstanding, diverse, and collaborative group of researchers in
evolutionary biology, ecology, and biodiversity science.


The U-M Herbarium is worldwide in its geographic scope and is the second
largest public university collection in North America, comprising about
1.75 million specimens. The collection is particularly strong in Michigan
and the Great Lakes region, Mexico, and southeast Asia (esp. Sumatra,
Philippines) and includes major holdings from all major plant and fungal
groups; see also https://lsa.umich.edu/herbarium/collections.html


WHO YOU ARE
Reporting to the Research Collection Manager, the plant mounter will help
to execute the herbarium's specimen preparation and processing plan. The
successful candidate will be curious about science and botanical diversity,
and a skilled specimen preparator with the ability to produce
research-quality herbarium specimens, and will assist the Collection
Managers with pre- and post-mounting tasks. Responsibilities primarily
include mounting plant specimens, but will also include collection support,
supervision, and training.
What You'll Do

Plant Mounting

   - Use knowledge of plant morphology and identification techniques to
   prepare high-quality research specimens using various methods (e.g.,
   gluing, strapping, and sewing)
   - Maintain the organization and mounting of room cabinets and the flow
   of specimens through the mounting process
   - Place mounted specimens in the freezer for pest control and remove
   after freeze fumigation treatment
   - Move specimens to the next location for digitization (barcoding,
   imaging, database entry)
   - Maintain inventory of mounting supplies and let collection managers
   know when items are needed
   - Maintain and update mounting and training documentation/materials as
   needed


Collection Support

   - Assist the Collection Managers with pre- and post-mounting tasks
   - Make labels from the digital data provided with specimens
   - Enter and track specimen accessions in the database after they have
   been approved by the registrar and collection manager for deposition into
   the research collection
   - Enter information (e.g., date completed) in the database when an
   accession is complete

Supervision and Training

   - Train student/part-time workers in all aspects of plant mounting
   - Assign priority specimens to be mounted to student/part-time workers,
   including finding the physical accession in the backlog, and placing them
   in cabinets
   - Provide quality assurance of student/part-time workers' specimens


Additional Responsibilities

   - Other duties as needed

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of
Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating,
preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in
developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich
the future.
Required Qualifications*

This position remains on their feet for a majority of the shift to perform
essential job functions, such as using a ladder, and moving moderately
heavy objects for installation, weighing up to 45lbs (5-gallon bucket of
glue, boxes of mounting paper, etc.). Basic knowledge of plant collecting
practices, plant morphology and diversity, and herbarium procedures is
required. Computer competencies, including the Microsoft Office suite (Word
and Excel) and basic databases, are required. Experience with crafts and
working with one's hands. Ability to maintain an average mounting rate of
20-25 minutes per specimen (c. 5,000 specimens/year). Ability to train and
supervise students and part-time workers in plant mounting and to review
their work for quality control.
Desired Qualifications*

A bachelor's degree in a biology-related field is strongly preferred.
Experience collecting research specimens and identifying plants is highly
desirable.
Work Schedule

This is an onsite position at the Research Museum Center with a typical
work schedule of Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at
the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed
annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any
reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes
<https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work>
.
Additional Information

This is an AFSMCE unionized position. The starting wage is $23.46/hour
during the probationary period, as outlined in the collective bargaining
agreement. Upon completion, the wage will increase to the standard union
rate for the position.

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the
boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural
world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic
thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation,
and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit
lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between
the U-M and the AFSCME union, which contains and settles all matters with
respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of
employment.
Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates
upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party
administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are
performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.



Brad

--
Brad R. Ruhfel, PhD
Research Collection Manager, Vascular Plants
Assistant Research Scientist
University of Michigan Herbarium (MICH) <https://lsa.umich.edu/herbarium/>
https://ruhfellab.weebly.com/
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