Curatorial Assistant

Harvard University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Curatorial Assistant to conduct curatorial tasks in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants. The position includes managing over 120,000 specimens, conducting inventories of living collections, and supporting curatorial initiatives. Ideal candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in botany or horticulture and at least one year of relevant experience. This full-time on-site position requires the ability to handle various work conditions and lift up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in a related field.
• Ability to drive Arboretum vehicles in the landscape.
• Conduct inventories of outdoor/indoor plant collections.

Responsibilities

• Support care and maintenance of herbarium specimens and collections.
• Assist with annual inventory of plants in permanent collections.
• Perform duties including data entry, records review, and special projects.

Skills

Inventory management

Driving

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in botany, horticulture, or related field

Job description

The Curatorial Assistant conducts curatorial tasks in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants, inventories plants in the living collections, and supports other plant records and curatorial initiatives under the supervision of the Manager of Plant Records.

This is a 100% on-site position, 35 hours/week, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to conduct work outdoors in a variety of weather scenarios and plant collections.
• Must not be squeamish around insects.
• Must be able to drive an Arboretum vehicle from site to site when necessary.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to walk and stand for up to three hours at a time in indoor and outdoor conditions.

Responsibilities

• Herbarium of Cultivated Plants – The Curatorial Assistant supports the care and maintenance of over 120,000 specimens in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants and the Dried Emerging Leaves Collection of the Arnold Arboretum. This includes gathering and mounting new vouchers; label preparation; databasing, barcoding, and digitization; and insertion. The assistant scouts for and repairs damaged specimens, maintains organization and order of all specimens, performs sorting and refilling tasks, keeps a pest‑free environment using hygienic practices, monitors for pest infestations, and maintains rotational freezing and silica refresh schedules of specimens. They assist visitors and scholars in using the collection, including digitization and loans of specimens, and they transport and/or ship specimens and supplies to and from the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH) in Cambridge, Massachusetts as needed.
• Living Collections Inventory – The Curatorial Assistant assists with the annual inventory of plants in permanent collections and Dana Greenhouse and nursery. They help produce accurate plant inventories by frequent and thorough review, maintain records in the institutional plant collections database, BG‑BASE, and aid in production/maintenance of records and display labels. At peak times of demand they may assist with accessioning and other related tasks.
• Other Duties – The Curatorial Assistant performs other duties, including data entry, records review/audits, and special curatorial projects related to the Arnold Arboretum’s living collections and plant records archives. They serve as a key informational resource to other staff, visiting scholars, students, and the public.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in a related field.
• The ability to drive Arboretum vehicles in the landscape.
• Must be able to conduct inventories of outdoor/indoor plant collections and collect herbarium vouchers during all months of the year.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in botany, horticulture, or a related field preferred.
• Work experience in plant records/curation at a public garden, as well as an herbarium, preferred.
• The preferred candidate is self‑motivated, communicates effectively, can multitask, works independently as well as collaboratively, and applies critical thinking and curiosity to solve problems.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre‑employment reference and background screenings, identity and RMV check for a valid driver's license.
• Other Information: This position will have a 3‑month orientation and review period.