Exhibition Assistant; Part-Time

Overview

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, with a mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through scientific research, education, and exhibition. The Exhibition department is seeking a part-time Exhibition Assistant to support the current team with all aspects of live animal care and habitat maintenance, including live collections in the Insectarium, Vivarium, back-of-house spaces, and temporary exhibits as required.

The Assistant also works with the public in the Butterfly Vivarium, answering visitor questions and ensuring containment of USDA-regulated species.

• Feed, clean, and monitor live animals, including, but not limited to, frogs, lizards, butterflies, beetles, and other arthropods.
• Maintain all animal habitats in back-of-house and public areas of the Insectarium, Vivarium, and temporary exhibits.
• Ensure all husbandry needs are met, monitor food supply, temperature, humidity, and lighting. Inform senior staff of issues.
• Unpack and process pupae shipments.
• Work in the Vivarium answering visitor questions and ensuring USDA containment of butterflies.
• Check in volunteers to their shifts.
• Clean work spaces in the USDA containment rooms.
• Perform recordkeeping/data entry on all species and monitor colony populations.

The expected salary for the Exhibition Assistant is $20/hour
. This position is overtime-eligible. Pay will be determined based on several factors including skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or another related area, or currently enrolled in college – biology/life science courses preferred.
• One year experience working closely with live animals.
• Experience working in customer service or informal education.
• Ability to work 2 or 3 days a week, including one weekend day and holidays, and occasional evenings as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• 18 months experience working with live arthropods in a museum, zoo, or similar institution.
• Experience working with USDA-permitted species.
• Experience breeding and raising insects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• 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: frequently position oneself 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, including pushing, pulling, and lifting as described.
• Must be able to comfortably work in a hot/humid environment.

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.