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Account/Position No.:                        21610/235460                                     Level 7

Position Title:                                      Collections Manager

Department:                                        Natural History Museum and the Gray Fossil Site

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Reports to the Director of the Natural History Museum; supervises all aspects of the museum’s collections care; conserves, stores, and accurately documents fossil flora and fauna as well as other collections material as approved by the Collections Committee; trains and supervises personnel working in collections including but not limited to volunteers, student workers, staff and visitors; works with the Curators and Collections Committee to ensure proper methods of accessioning, cataloging, photographing, storage, loaning, packing, unpacking, movement, shipping, and display of collections; manages the collections database; assists the Director and Curators in preparation and implementation of collections management policies and other accreditation materials; works with other staff to install and de-install exhibits; and, performs other duties assigned.

Essential Functions

-        Reports to the Director of the Natural History Museum.

-        Supervises and provides assistance and training to all personnel working within collections storage including paid employees, student workers, volunteers, visitors and staff.

-        Assists other museum staff in the installation and de-installation of exhibits.

-        Works with Curators and Collections Committee to ensure that all specimens are proper methods of accessioning into the collections, including cataloging, photographing, storage, loaning, packing, unpacking, movement, shipping, and display of collections.

-        Assists the Director and Curators in preparation and implementation of collections management policies and other accreditation materials.

-        Plans and prepare possible acquisitions for review by the Collections Committee and take notes at collection committee meetings.

Secondary Functions

-        Uses basic construction tools, such as drills, hammers, etc.

-        Constructs storage and exhibition supports.

-        Prepares and photographs museum specimens for publication, exhibition, web content and grants.

-        Performs grant writing functions.

-       Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-        Knowledge and experience using accepted practices in collections management as defined by the American Association of Museums.

-        Able to organize and prioritize responsibilities.

-        Knowledge of proper laboratory practices.

-        Knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of fossil flora and fauna, and other collections material.

-        Knowledge of field methods including excavation and screening.

-        Ability and experience using digital cameras, light meters, and the data logging devices.

-        Ability to use basic construction tools, such as drills, hammers, etc.

-        Knowledge and experience in installing and de-installing exhibitions.

-        Knowledge and experience in using collections management software.

-        Prefer knowledge experience in grant writing.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision.  Supervises volunteers and students.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in the natural sciences – Geology, Geoscience, Biology, Museum Studies, or related field; three years experience in collections conservation specialties.

August 2007