Curatorial Assistant I -Marine Mammals

About the Opportunity
The California Academy of Sciences seeks an individual to fill a temporary on-call position as Curatorial Assistant I in marine mammals. Reporting to the Collection Manager of Ornithology and Mammalogy (O&M), this is an entry level part-time position. The Curatorial Assistant I performs various duties related to specimen preparation and housing as well as processing and shipping specimens being sent to other institutions. The job will also involve a considerable amount of work in the areas of data entry, and project related curatorial tasks. The Curatorial Assistant I will also participate in ongoing operations of the department, including some field work.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

About the Ornithology and Mammalogy (O&M) Team
The O&M collection is a premier scientific collection that serves hundreds of scientific investigators, students, educators, and government agencies each year. O&M is one of the smallest of the eight departments in the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS) at CAS with only three full-time, one part-time, and four on-call hourly staff members. The department is supplemented by a large group of unpaid staff, including 11 Research Associates, four graduate students, and five active volunteers. In 2015, CAS officially partnered with the Noyo Center for Marine Science (Noyo Center) in Mendocino County as a Designee Organization to assist with marine mammal stranding response in the north.

Although the paid staff is small, the department maintains a total collection of more than 146,000 cataloged specimens comprising over 100,000 birds, 35,000 mammals, and 11,000 eggs and nests. The marine mammal collection includes more than 6,500 specimens, representing 49 species. Of particular interest are the collections of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) (3,000+ specimens), Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) (2,700+ specimens), and Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) (200+ specimens), all among the largest in the world. This distinguishes the CAS marine mammal collection, as only a few scientific collections house such a large series of marine mammal specimens.

Key Responsibilities

• Performs routine curatorial duties such as specimen preparation and integrating newly acquired specimens/objects
• Process marine mammal specimens from the freezers, including identifying, aging, preparing, and sampling tissues for accessioning into the collections
• Processing specimens/objects for shipment - includes properly wrapping specimens, and preparing shipping forms/labels
• Respond to beach strandings of dead marine mammals as needed
• Assist with responses to large whale strandings as needed
• Database entry related to specimens, label production, data capture, and shipping
• Involved with training and working with volunteers and NA22 Prescott Grant interns
• May assist visitors to the department as assigned to do so
• Follow all Academy safety regulations
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or closely related is preferred
• No previous collection experience is required for this position, but it is highly desirable
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Some knowledge of marine mammal collections, nomenclature, and taxonomy desirable
• Ability to responsibly handle delicate or irreplaceable specimens
• Ability to work professionally and respectfully around dead animals
• Ability to type accurately and do computer data entry
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion
• Ability to travel throughout San Francisco and the larger Bay Area, including to remote sites by operating an Academy owned vehicle (automobile, van or light truck) or personally owned vehicle. Valid California driver's license with clean driving record required

Physical Environment: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb ladders 20% of the day
• Ability to reach above shoulder level for 20% of the day
• Ability to perform computer data entry 10-20% of the day

In the Collections Department within the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, the employee will be working with biological collections, some of which will be on loan from other institutions. In the past these collections were often treated with chemicals to preserve them, to retard the growth of fungal infections or to prevent pest infestations. Although these methods are no longer in use, many of the specimens remain permanently contaminated with residues of these chemicals. While safety measures are in place to minimize the risk to employees, the applicant for this position should be aware of this potential hazard. Chemicals/chemical residues which employees may be exposed to include naphthalene, mercuric chloride, ethanol, methyl bromide, strychnine, DDT and Vapona.

Compensation
Hourly hiring/flat rate: $25.32 per hour
Schedule: On-Call

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will stay open until the application is filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion, marital or domestic partner status, age, place of birth, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, height or weight, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.