Collections Technician 1: Fishes (24-month Contract) – Royal Ontario Museum

Title of the Job: Collections Technician 1: Fishes (24-month Contract)

Location: Toronto, ON

Job Description: Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum, ROM is home to a world-class collection of artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. As the country’s preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new discoveries, ROM plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the artistic, cultural and natural world. Join our team at ROM and consider a fulfilling career as a Collections Technician 1: Fishes.POSITION SUMMARY:Join our team as a Natural History Collections Technician (CT1) and play a pivotal role in managing our extensive specimen collection and data. This essential position supports preserving and organizing our scientific assets, ensuring that they remain accessible and accurate for research and public engagement.As a Collections Technician, you’ll work closely with our curators and ichthyology experts, contributing significantly to research in aquatic biology, biodiversity, and broader ecological studies. You can immerse yourself in fieldwork and lab-based projects, assisting in specimen acquisition, preparation, preservation, and cataloging. Your role will also include supervising volunteers, interns, and students in day-to-day lab and field tasks while maintaining lab spaces and equipment.Specific duties for this role include ROM Ontario Fish Identification workshop preparation and facilitation, including packing and traveling ROM collections. This includes preparing and updating course material for ROM workshops, as well as assisting instructors and facilitation throughout Ontario. In addition to workshops, general technical duties in the Fishes collections as needed.Reporting to the Manager of Collections Care, you will collaborate with colleagues across the Department of Natural History, working on acquisitions and loans and facilitating access to the collection. Your attention to detail and passion for accurate data management will ensure that the collection remains vital for advancing scientific research.If you have a keen eye for detail, thrive in a dynamic team environment, and are passionate about natural history and data management, we encourage you to apply and contribute to our mission of preserving biodiversity for future generations.RESPONSIBILITIES:Collections Management & Preparation:

• Skillfully prepare specimens by fixing them in formalin, conducting thorough rinsing in water, and preserving them in ethyl alcohol.
• Perform preparation and conservation of collection specimens, including identification, counting, and measurements (meristic and morphometric).
• Collaborate with curators and collections staff to develop and implement storage, re-housing, and organizational solutions.
• Assist with collecting and acquiring new acquisitions, including documentation, shipping, and tracking.
• Facilitate loans, including preparation, documentation, shipping, and tracking in accordance with museum policies.
• Maintain meticulous records for cataloging specimens and ensuring an organized collection, including entering and maintaining catalogue data in the approved collection management system.
• Accurately record essential data such as waterbody names, locality descriptions, political boundaries, and geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, UTM’s), using watershed codes for identification.
• Conduct comprehensive data reviews and editing to ensure completeness and correctness.
• Prepare cards and labels for catalogued material, maintaining a systematic shelving system.
• Document, photograph, and upload digital records and assets into the collections management system.
• Organize and execute fieldwork under curatorial guidance.

Collection Facilities Maintenance:

• Organize and maintain laboratories and workrooms; operate and maintain laboratory equipment, ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
• Manage and store chemicals and specialized materials used in specimen preparation and storage.
• Advise and assist with lab and collections budgeting and purchasing.

Program Support, Supervision, and Collection Access:

• Facilitate access to collections by supporting in-person visits and responding to collection inquiries.
• Contribute to public programming, outreach, and participate in fundraising events.
• Support the development and installation of exhibitions.
• Provide technical and collection support for ROM research and external projects.
• Supervise, train, and monitor contract staff, part-time staff, volunteers, interns, and students.

Specialized Responsibilities in Biodiversity:

• Prepare and preserve organic remains, including biological specimens and tissues, study skins, skeletons, and herbarium and fungarium specimens.
• Safely prepare samples for wet collections (alcohol-preserved) and frozen biological tissues.
• Monitor and maintain cold storage and alcohol storage infrastructure.
• Manage resources and workflow for molecular research, including genome-related databases and frozen tissue collections.
• Process molecular samples for research.
• Create comprehensive summary reports to support ongoing research and analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of a Master’s degree in Arts or Sciences, or equivalent experience or informal education in an area relevant to Biodiversity, Fossils, Earth & Space, or Collections Data Management
• A solid academic foundation in biology or a closely related discipline is highly desirable and advantageous.
• A minimum of three (3) years but less than five (5) years experience in collection care and management or technical field; experience in a museum setting is desirable
• Previous work experience in a museum setting, particularly with a focus on wet collections, is highly preferred and will be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Ontario fish identification and possession of a ROM Fish Identification certificate are essential. Accurate identification of fish species in this region is crucial for success in this role.
• Adept at word processing, database applications, and standard business software; familiarity with TMS is considered a plus
• Up-to-date knowledge of preparation and conservation techniques and best practices related to the preservation of natural history collections in a relevant area of specialty
• Familiarity with a range of digital photographic techniques, equipment, and applications
• Meticulous handling of specimens and data, combined with sound judgment, is crucial for upholding the quality and accuracy of our collections and records.
• Strong interpersonal skills and oral and written communication ability
• Must be capable of lifting and moving large objects up to 25 kilos (50 lbs.) and climbing ladders up to 3 meters in height

Salary and Terms of EmploymentSTART DATE: ASAP
OPEN DATE: October 7, 2024
CLOSE DATE: October 15, 2023
STATUS: Full-time Contract
EMPLOYEE GROUP: OPSEU Local 543
SALARY: $69, 817.00 – $79, 792.00
SCHEDULE: 35 hours per week
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: six (6) months
LOCATION (ROM offsite): Oakville, ONDiversity Statement
At ROM, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusion foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the city and province in which we are located and welcome all qualified and experienced candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.Accessibility Statement
ROM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and, other checks depending on the role.Powered by JazzHR

Company Name: Royal Ontario Museum

Salary: $69817 – 79792 per year

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