Kaitiaki Taonga Collection Manager Natural History – Invertebrates
This is an exciting opportunity to join Te Papa as a Kaitiaki Taonga Collection Manager Natural History.
Kaitiaki Taonga Collection Manager Natural History – Invertebrates
Te Papa’s Natural History team develop, care for and research collections of plants and animals, documenting the biodiversity of New Zealand, understanding its evolutionary history, and providing the foundations for its protection. Through exhibitions, publications, public programmes and learning programmes, we strengthen public understanding of te taiao, the natural environment.
Underpinned by the principle of Mana Taonga, this position is part of a team responsible for the well-being of the Museum’s natural history collections, so that their long-term preservation, access and use is ensured. The position holder will be responsible for making sure our natural history collections are stored and handled appropriately, managing and mitigating risks, documenting our collections, facilitating physical and digital access, and undertaking projects to improve the standards of collection care.
The position will have a focus on Te Papa’s Invertebrate collections and be responsible for the day-to-day decision-making in relation to the effective functioning of this collection area.
Education and experience will include the following:
- Minimum: A tertiary qualification in a relevant area of the biological sciences
- Desired: Specialisation in the study of an invertebrate phylum. Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Previous experience in a collection management or registration role, with a sound working knowledge of collection management practices
- Previous experience working with a Collection Information Management System
Skills will include the following:
- Ability to handle heavy or awkward objects, specimens and materials
- Ability to handle, process and preserve invertebrate animals and fossils, including minute specimens that may require the use of a stereomicroscope
- Ability to spend significant time working in the collections, and remain motivated when undertaking repetitive tasks
- High-level of personal initiative, motivation and common sense application, with the proven ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to work collectively, including in project teams
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain robust working relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
- Have a current full driver’s licence
- Willingness to acquire any compliance certification required to carry out the role
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Offers will be made to the successful candidate within the range of $66,761 to $83,451, based on their skills and experience relative to those required of the role, and to other employees.
Prior to Te Papa confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.