Natural History Collections Coordinator

State-of-South-Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Carolina State Museum seeks an Assistant Collections Manager for Natural History to care for fossil and biological collections, assist with inventory, rehousing, and basic specimen prep. You will work with the Curator and Collections Manager, support digitization, field collection, and database updates.

Requirements include a relevant degree and 2–3 years in collections management, with strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in vertebrate zoology, skeletal anatomy, or paleontology.
• 2-3 years of experience with standard collections management practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficient with word processing and spreadsheets.
• Experience with collections management software (EMU preferred).
• Proficiency in museum best practices; knowledge of paleontological or biological sciences.

Responsibilities

• Assist with physical inventory and data entry into the CMS; support re-organization planning.
• Help access collections for exhibition, loan, photography, or research purposes.
• Answer inquiries regarding the Natural History collection.
• Locate specimens and assist with packing for loan requests.
• Assist with storage improvements and rehousing of specimens to align with standards.
• Monitor collections storage and assist with pest management as needed.
• Create catalog records and label acquisitions.
• Assist with digitization of the collection (3D scanning or photography).
• Assist with basic prep of specimens for the Curator of Natural History.
• Support offsite field collection activities and donor tours as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Proficient with Word/Excel

Strong proofreading

Team collaboration

Collections software (EMU)

Education

Bachelor's degree in vertebrate zoology, skeletal anatomy, or paleontology

Master's Degree in museum studies or related field

Tools

EMU software

Job description

The South Carolina State Museum seeks an Assistant Collections Manager for Natural History to care for fossil and biological collections, assist with inventory, rehousing, and basic specimen prep. You will work with the Curator and Collections Manager, support digitization, field collection, and database updates.

Requirements include a relevant degree and 2–3 years in collections management, with strong communication skills.