Botany Specimen Technician

The Canadian Museum Of Nature; Outaouais; Hybrid; CAD 59,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Public service benefits

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Canadian Museum of Nature is seeking a Botany Specimen Technician in Gatineau, QC. The role focuses on specimen processing and digitization within a growing national collection and requires careful handling of botanical materials and data management.

You will work closely with the Botany Curator, Assistant Collection Manager and Indigenous Technician, contributing to projects across vascular plants, lichens and algae while maintaining high standards of collection care and digitization.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Biological Sciences, Museum Studies, or related field.
• Experience in Botany collection development, care and/or management.
• Experience with high-volume data and images in natural history contexts.
• Experience in handling fragile, valuable objects and dangerous goods.
• Ability to work with external and internal clients and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Focus on specimen processing and digitization of vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and algae.
• Prepare, repair, receive and document specimen shipments.
• Capture and manage large volumes of specimen images and associated data.
• Communicate with Botany and Research and Collections teams; work independently and in teams.

Skills

Botany

Digital imaging

Data entry

Customer service

Mentoring

Education

Post-secondary degree in Biological Sciences / Museum Studies

Tools

Museum databases

Imaging tools

Job description

Selection process number: 2090-CMN-26-OC-045
Research and Collections
ME-03 - $ 58,980 to $ 70,901 per year
Permanent Full-time position (37.5 hours per week)

Work Location

Natural Heritage Campus (NHC) - Gatineau, QC

Selection process number: 2090-CMN-26-OC-045

Your place at the Museum

We value diversity and believe we benefit from working in a place where everyone feels included and where the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce are combined. We welcome applications from persons who may identify as a member of one or more other equity seeking groups (for e.g. women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, religious or cultural minority).

You have a place at the Museum!

About the position

As a growing public collection of over one million preserved specimens of plants, lichens and algae, the National Herbarium of Canada safeguards a significant part of the physical evidence through which our nation’s natural history and future are understood. Within this incredible “botanical library”, the Botany Specimen Technician works closely with the Botany Curator, Assistant Collection Manager, and Indigenous Technician, and a vibrant community of research staff and associates, visitors, volunteers, and interns. Together, the team builds, preserves, and shares the collection as productively as possible.

Focusing specifically on specimen processing and digitization, the Botany Specimen Technician contributes to a wide array of projects related to vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, and algae. They prepare new specimens for the collection, make meticulous repairs to fragile objects, and receive / prepare / document specimen shipments. To advance collection digitization, they also capture and manage large volumes of specimen images and data. The Botany Specimen Technician communicates widely in the Botany and broader Research and Collections teams at the CMN, working effectively both independently and in a variety of teams.

Working at the museum means:

• Contributing to an engaging mission as well as exciting projects and challenges
• An inclusive, friendly and safe work environment
• A competitive salary established by collective agreements
• Access to federal public service group insurance and pension plans

Eligibility criteria

This position is open to all employees of the Canadian Museum of Nature and any members of the public who meet the qualifications below. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Education and training

Completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma in Biological Sciences, Museum Studies, or a related field.

Language requirements

English or French is essential

Experience

• Minimum one year experience in activities related to Botany (plants, lichens and/or algae) collection development, care and/or management
• Experience working with specialized database software to enter, upgrade and manipulate a high volume of natural history collection data and images
• Experience with capturing digital specimen images for database records.
• Experience in secure handling of fragile, valuable objects, and dangerous goods
• Experience in providing high-quality service to both external and internal clients
• Experience in mentoring and working with junior team members (like students).

The Canadian Museum of Nature is committed to inclusive and barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If you are invited to participate in the selection process, we encourage you to advise us of any accommodation you may require. This information will be treated as confidential.

The Statement of Qualifications, providing greater detail about the skills, knowledge and aptitudes needed for this role, can be obtained by contacting the Museum at [e-mail].