Anthropology Collections Assistant

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Museum of Natural History in New York seeks a full-time Anthropology Collections Assistant to participate in special projects involving Indigenous North American ethnological and some archaeological collections. Duties include deinstallation from exhibit halls, rehousing, cataloguing, and database reporting under supervision of the Curatorial Associate and Chair of Anthropology.

This position runs for 12 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in anthropology or related scientific field required.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills required.
• Microsoft Office and database skills required.
• Ability to respectfully work with culturally sensitive collections required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, identify, track, house/rehouse, label, organize, and shelve objects.
• Perform collection cataloging and database management.

Skills

Writing & communication

Microsoft Office

Database skills

Culturally sensitive handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in anthropology

Master's degree in anthropology

Job description

Anthropology Collections Assistant

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. The Division of Anthropology is seeking a full-time Anthropology Collections Assistant to participate in special projects involving Indigenous North American ethnological and some archaeological collections. Duties include deinstallation of collections from exhibit halls, collection rehousing, cataloguing, database reporting, and others as needed. They will work under the direction and supervision of the Curatorial Associate and Chair of Anthropology and collaboratively with other Division staff working with collections. This position is expected to last for a term of 12 months. The Anthropology Collections Assistant should maintain excellent relationships with peers, staff, and visitors and use sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information. This position requires intentional cultivation and maintenance of respect for the viewpoints of diverse Indigenous descendant communities and engaging all peoples with empathy, compassion, and humility. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare, identify, track, house/rehouse, label, organize, and shelve objects.
• Perform collection cataloging and database management.

The expected salary range for the Anthropology Collections Assistant is $66,300/annual - $67,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in anthropology or a related scientific field.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills.
• Microsoft Office and database skills.
• Ability to respectfully work with culturally sensitive collections.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in anthropology.
• Experience or coursework related to Indigenous North America.
• Practical experience with museum collections and databases.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
• Positioning/change of positioning: Must be able to frequently position oneself/body to accomplish job duties.
  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling.
  • Climbing: Ascending or descending physical structures.
  • Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently. May include any of the following:
    • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
    • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
    • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.

Category: Full-Time/Term

Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period: 70

Union Status: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

Expected Salary Minimum: $66,300/annual

Expected Salary Maximum: $67,000/annual

EEO Statement

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.