Research and Collection Technician, Box OCE-1630/29122

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education (OCE) is seeking candidates for a Research and Collection Technician, SG-14 position in the New York State Museum. Under the supervision of a Museum Scientist 1 or higher, the incumbent will perform duties for the Paleontology Department.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Clean, organize, label, rehouse, and monitor environmental and pest conditions for fossils, rocks, objects, and associated documentation;
• Identify, classify, and catalogue specimens and objects (invertebrate, paleobotanical, ichnological and vertebrate fossils) using standardized protocols, including assigning and linking catalog numbers;
• Review field notes and collectors' documentation to determine provenance of collected fossils, rocks, and any incoming materials;
• Create a detailed catalogue and conduct inventories of Paleontology collections meeting State Museum and discipline standards;
• Create digital images (photographs and 3D images) of fossils, artifacts, and documents for records, tracking, and exhibits;
• Enter, edit, and update data and images in electronic collections management databases, including MimsyXG/ Axiell Collections, ensuring accuracy and completeness;
• Participate in fieldwork with curators and collections managers, including specimen and object procurement, surveys, mapping, and basic data collection;
• Oversee, train, and supervise volunteers, interns, and students in collections care;
• Process loan requests and assist with moving, collecting, and returning objects for loans or donations; aid in exhibit installation and de-installation and prepare items for travel;
• Provide access to secure storage for staff and visitors, and conduct small group tours and outreach activities and;
• Assist with educational and research activities, including data gathering, document searches, writing portions of reports, procedural documents, or manuals, assist in the planning of public programs under the supervision of a Museum Scientist 1 or higher.

Minimum Qualifications

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by 18 semester credit hours in archaeology, anthropology, history, in one of the natural sciences (e.g., biology, zoology, geology), or related fields AND one year of professional experience assisting in scientific or historical research in the field or in artifact/specimen care and maintenance in a laboratory or a museum.

Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent non-competitive or 55b/c service as a Research and Collections Technician.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates who have:

• A master’s degree in geology or biology with a focus in paleontology.
• Experience working in natural history collections, particularly paleontology collections.
• Applicants with demonstrated expertise in the paleontology of New York State or nearby areas.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.