Museum Preparator

Vacancy Ref: #18487
Deadline for applications - None stated

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world’s most iconic teaching and research institutions. Since 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world. Berkeley’s culture of openness, freedom and acceptance—academic and artistic, political and cultural—make it a very special place for students, faculty and staff.

The Human Evolution Research Center (HERC), at the University of California Berkeley, is dedicated to the study of human origins and evolution. HERC represents an international focal point for field and laboratory research and education. It is a center for the study of the process and products of human evolution. Research by the Human Evolution Research Center includes both field and laboratory investigation. The many steps in the process of generating knowledge about human origins and evolution are illustrated in this interactive diagram. The Middle Awash paleoanthropological research project is based in HERC.

In a research center combining anthropological and paleontological resources, incumbent performs assigned tasks including inventory, cataloging of collections, preservation and duplication of two and three dimensional objects such as 35mm transparencies and plaster/epoxy replicas, and bibliographic entry and organization involving published scholarly materials. In addition, the Museum Preparator provides general collections access assistance to Visitors, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Graduate students

Responsibilities

•Digitalize/scan field slides using 35mm transparencies.
•Assist with the compiling of basic bibliographic resources related to the HERC’s skeletal and cast collections.
•Assists with curation of current skeletal and fossil casts.
•Uses existing software, prepares labels for former/previous acquisitions and enters data into curatorial database.
•Collections data assistance (under the direction of Postdocs and Graduate students).
•Performs routine data entry for the previous acquisitions and the retroactive data capture of existing specimens.
•Performs routine data entry of transaction records.
•Routine clerical filing of transaction paperwork.
•Handles artifacts for a variety of purposes including exhibition installation.

Required Qualifications

•Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
•Basic computer skills in Word and Excel.
•Skilled in making computer generated specimen labels with high degree of accuracy, proven data entry skills.
•Ability to clearly understand and follow instructions in spoken and written English.
•Ability to perform routine tasks for extended periods of time with minimal error rate.
•Manual dexterity.
•Ability to handle archival material with care.
•Attention to detail.
•Knowledge of basic digital and hard-copy bibliographic resources.
•Physical ability to repetitively lift light objects to 6’ height (using a step stool if needed).

Preferred Qualifications

•Prior curatorial experience with skeletal remains, artifacts, and fossil casts
•Prior data-entry experience for geological, paleontological and archaeological specimens
•Prior bibliographic experience