Lab Manager

SPNHC; Los Angeles (CA); Sur place; USD 64 000 - 78 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) is seeking a Lab Manager to direct the Fossil Lab operations at the La Brea Tar Pits. The role involves preparation and conservation of asphalt‑preserved fossils, staff leadership, and budget oversight, with frequent interaction with researchers and the public.

The position requires extensive paleontological prep experience, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years experience in paleontological preparation.
• At least 5 years supervising staff and/or volunteers.
• Extensive knowledge of vertebrate osteology.
• Experience in the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a productive team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and collaborative behavior.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in public science communication.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to work full-time, on-site (no remote option).
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and evenings.
• Daily contact with liquid asphalt, asphaltic matrix, and chemical solvents.
• Occasional need to wear protective equipment (mask, respirator, goggles, gloves, etc.).
• Willingness to work in public view and interact frequently with the public.
• Willingness to interact with tour groups or news media as required.
• Previous experience working with asphalt-preserved fossil material strongly preferred.

Responsabilités

• Prepare, conserve, stabilize, and repair asphalt-preserved fossils using manual and chemical techniques.
• Manage staff, volunteers, students, and interns.
• Provide strategic planning and oversight of all Lab operations.
• Oversee lab administration and budget management.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety requirements and hazardous materials handling.
• Document daily work and maintain Fossil Lab spaces.
• Interact with researchers and assist with research projects.
• Collaborate across departments to support programs, exhibits, and priorities.
• Lead or assist with tours and interact with media and the public.

Connaissances

Paleont prep

Staff supervision

Osteology

Hazardous chemicals

Public science comm

Interpersonal skills

Description du poste

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects—used for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, and community engagement. From NHM’s opening in 1913 as the very first museum in Los Angeles, the organization has entered an exciting new era of transformation with building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach and impactful audience engagement.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is seeking to hire a Lab Manager to direct and supervise operations in the Fossil Lab(s) at the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research at La Brea Tar Pits.

Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation, conservation, stabilization, and repair of asphalt-preserved fossils using manual and chemical techniques
• Management of staff, volunteers, students, and interns
• Strategic planning and oversight of all Lab operations
• Lab administration and budget management
• Ensuring compliance with institutional and governmental health & safety requirements, including the procurement, handling and disposal of hazardous materials
• Daily documentation of work
• Maintenance of the Fossil Lab spaces
• Interaction with researchers and assistance with research projects
• Cross-departmental collaboration to support programs, exhibits, and other institutional priorities
• Leading/assisting with tours
• Interaction with media and the public
• Other duties as directed by the Curator(s)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 8 years experience working in paleontological preparation
• At least 5 years experience supervising staff and/or volunteers
• Extensive knowledge of vertebrate osteology
• Experience in the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals
• Demonstrated ability to lead a productive team
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and collaborative behavior
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated expertise in public science communication
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Willingness to work full-time, on-site (no remote option)
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and evenings
• Daily contact with liquid asphalt, asphaltic matrix, and chemical solvents
• Occasional need to wear protective equipment (mask, respirator, goggles, gloves, etc.)
• Willingness to work in public view and interact frequently with the public
• Willingness to interact with tour groups or news media as required
• Previous experience working with asphalt-preserved fossil material strongly preferred

OTHER INFORMATION

NHMLAC is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a workplace and public environment that uplifts Kindness, Fairness, Openness and Dignity. These values extend not only to our employees, but to our guests, local community, and organizational partners.

The salary for this position is $71,000.00 a year. This is a full time, regular, exempt position. Application review begins September 28th.

Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a portfolio demonstrating technical mastery of fossil preparation, and contact information for two professional references along with their application. Please submit all applications to the Museum’s employment site at https://nhmlac.org/careers-our-museums/careers-la-brea-tar-pits

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer