Technical Assistant, Fishes: Summer Experience Opportunities program (3-month contract)

Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto; On-site; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Ontario Museum is seeking a Technical Assistant for their Fishes collection. This role involves supporting inventory and care of specimens, requiring a Bachelor’s in Zoology and relevant experience. Join a dynamic team dedicated to conservation and museum operations.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of museum-related collections experience preferred.
• Ability to lift and move containers weighing up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Support inventory and top up of fish specimens preserved in ethanol.
• Conduct data entry and editing using The Museum System (TMS).
• Assist with barcoding and shelving of wet collections specimens.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Zoology

Tools

Microsoft Access

Excel

The Museum System (TMS)

Job description

Technical Assistant, Fishes: Summer Experience Opportunities program (3-month contract)

WHO WE ARE
Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present, and shared future.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED
We are seeking a Technical Assistant, Fishes to support our wet collections operations in Summer 2025. Funded through the Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program, this grant-funded, full-time contract position will contribute to the critical work of inventorying and caring for ROM’s extensive Fishes collection.

Working primarily at ROM’s Oakville Collections Facility and occasionally at the downtown site at 100 Queen’s Park, you will assist with alcohol top up, wet collections inventory, and contribute to safe collection care practices. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop museum collections management skills while contributing to important conservation and compliance initiatives.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

1. Support the inventory, and top up of fish specimens preserved in ethanol, ensuring high accuracy and compliance with fire code regulations.
2. Conduct data entry and editing using The Museum System (TMS) database and other digital tools.
3. Assist with barcoding and shelving of wet collections specimens at the Oakville facility.
4. Follow established protocols for specimen handling, storage, and chemical safety (e.g., handling ethanol-preserved specimens under fume hoods).
5. Work collaboratively with the Wet Collections Technician and Natural History team to meet project goals.
6. Maintain detailed records, track progress, and help ensure safe and organized collection environments.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) with a specialization in Zoology or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• 2–3 years of museum-related collections experience, preferably working with biological specimens or wet collections.
• Strong computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Access, Excel, and The Museum System (TMS) database.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with high attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Ability to lift and move containers weighing up to 50 lbs. (22 kg) and climb ladders to access collection storage areas.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Comfort working around ethanol and chemicals (with appropriate PPE provided).
• Ability to maintain focus and accuracy while conducting detailed work for extended periods.

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• START DATE: June 2025
• OPEN DATE: May 12, 2025
• END DATE: May 16, 2025
• STATUS: Full-time, Contract
• EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-union
• HOURLY RATE: $17.20
• SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
• Location: Oakville Collections Facility (primary), with occasional work at 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON (on-site)

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

First interview: A 30-minute interview with members of the Natural History team, focusing on your collections experience, attention to detail, and interest in museum operations.

WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROM

• Cultural engagement: Daily interactions with Toronto's diverse culture and international visitors offer insights into social and cultural trends. We champion inclusive community programs and connections through diverse experiences.
• Continuous learning: At ROM, expertise and continuous skill development are paramount. Our culture of curiosity and open-mindedness fosters growth beyond traditional career paths.
• Passion & fulfillment: Our work in preserving and curating cultural narratives brings deep satisfaction. We are passionate about the arts, global history, cultural diversity, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.
• Team & culture: ROM promotes a positive workplace with collaborative, supportive teams that encourage creativity and innovation. We value new ideas and collective problem-solving.
• Academic collaboration: We are committed to education, partnering with universities and providing student resources, underscoring our dedication to research and accessibility.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibits, communities, and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas.

We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please contact us at [e-mail] for assistance.

APPLY NOW

Apply today and help us create a clean, inclusive, and welcoming space where culture, art, and history flourish.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. All verbal job offers are subject to background checks, including a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and other checks depending on the role.

#LI-Onsite

Are you legally authorized to work in Canada and able to provide proof of work authorization?*

What is your level of fluency in English?*

Are you a current employee of ROM or ROM Governors?*

Are you a former employee of the ROM or ROM Governors?*

Please indicate if any immediate family members, including parents, siblings, children, or spouses, currently work or have previously worked at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) or ROM Governors.*

If you answered yes to the above, please list their names here.

Based on the definition below, are you an Indigenous person?

"Indigenous peoples" means First Nations, Inuit or Métis peoples of Canada.

Based on the definition below, are you a person with a disability?

"Persons with disabilities" are individuals who have a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric, or learning impairment, and who consider themselves to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment, or believe that an employer or potential employer is likely to consider them to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment. This includes persons whose functional limitations owing to their impairment have been accommodated in their current job or workplace.

Based on the definition below, are you a member of a visible minority?

"Members of visible minorities" are persons, other than Indigenous peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour, regardless of birthplace.

To which gender identity do you most identify?

Do you have a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Zoology or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and experience?*

What interests you most about working with the Fishes Collection and contributing to ROM’s collections care initiatives?*

Briefly describe your experience working with natural history, biological, or museum collections. What types of specimens or environments have you worked with?*

Are you able to work primarily onsite in Oakville, with occasional work at 100 Queen’s Park in Toronto?*

What digital tools or databases have you used for cataloguing or inventory work? Describe a specific task where you maintained data accuracy.*