Preparator (Earth Sciences)

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) invites applications for a Preparator in the Department of Earth Sciences to support and manage the Schlessman Family Earth Sciences Laboratory (ES Lab). The ES Lab is an integral part of the museum’s Prehistoric Journey exhibit and supports the research, curation, and outreach efforts of the DMNS and staff.

The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) is an outwardly focused and collegial team of researchers with a strong regional focus and expertise in paleontology and geology. The DES paleontology program is among the leading field and lab-based programs in the world with active, long-term projects across the Rocky Mountain west. The department currently includes four curators, a chief preparator, a collections manager, an assistant collections manager, an office manager, grant-funded curatorial assistants, and about 300 volunteers who engage in research, collections, preparation, fieldwork, and outreach.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience working with a large volunteer program in the areas of (1) fossil preparation (vertebrate, invertebrate, and paleobotany), (2) paleontological fieldwork, and (3) molding and casting. A significant portion of the position requires that this person provide technical expertise on aspects of specimen preparation at the highest professional standards based on the research direction of DES curators. The Preparator will conduct outreach by training and supervising a large volunteer corps in both preparation and molding and casting techniques while also developing, fostering, and maintaining outreach with the public via the articulation of the ES Lab with the Prehistoric Journey exhibit.

DMNS has strong local public support, a new state-of-the-art collections storage facility, and is strategically located at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. As a result, fieldwork will comprise up to 25% of the position. Fieldwork will be primarily in support of field-based research programs focused on the paleontology, paleoenvironments, paleoclimatology, and geology of the Rocky Mountain region. However, DMNS curators also have international fieldwork programs that this position will likely be asked to support. Fieldwork at the DMNS is heavily supported by volunteers. As a result, hands-on training of field techniques and supervision of volunteers in the field, while also developing, fostering, and maintaining an active core of field-trained volunteers, will be required.

The Preparator will be responsible for working with the Chief Preparator on day-to-day operations of the laboratory spaces including ES Lab inventory and budget; training, management, and safety of ES Lab volunteers; and organization and participation in ES fieldwork. Some weekend and night hours are required.

At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in the geological, paleontological, biological, or related sciences is required though preference may be given to candidates who possess graduate level degrees or equivalent experience. Successful candidates will also have experience in specimen preparation and/or specimen molding and casting. While ideal candidates will have experience in all fields of fossil preparation and in geological techniques such as thin section and rock preparation, future training is possible for special techniques in which the candidate is deficient. Candidates must also be highly organized and have experience with, or willingness to learn, management of budgets and personnel. Previous museum experience preferred. The starting date for this position is flexible but ideally we’d like candidates who can start in early 2015.

Application Instructions

In addition to the general application on the DMNS website, please provide:
(1) A CV highlighting your preparation skills, preparation experience, collections experience, fieldwork experience, and any scientific research background.
(2) A 1-2 page cover letter that describes your experience training, supervising, and managing volunteers along with a concise description of your philosophy on how a volunteer-based lab, field, and research program should operate.
(3) Contact information for three or more professional references who can provide candid appraisals of your background and skills.

Please submit cover letter, CV, and information requested above no later than November 20, 2014.

Be advised that due to the high volume of applicants, we are only able to directly contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the position. However, please check your inbox and junk mail for any correspondence. If you are a returning applicant, please note that cover letters must be deleted, edited and then reattached to correspond with the position. No phone calls please.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to serving the needs of all our visitors and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.