Curator, Division of Biological Sciences

Staff Vacancy Announcement



The Division of Biological Sciences (DBS) invites applications for a 0.5 FTE Curator to oversee the Herbarium. This position is expected to curate the plant collections in the UM Herbarium; and directly supervise a variety of assistants, including possibly one or more work-study students, student interns, independent study students, graduate students, and community volunteers. This position is solely responsible for the recruitment, training, and any disciplinary actions.

The Curator operates a complex job with little supervision and a great deal of independence. This position is responsible for preserving and maintaining the current collection; maintaining the database in the Pacific NW herbarium consortium; evaluating donations; and assessing the need for and adding new samples as appropriate. This position is also responsible for assisting faculty members and course instructors in the proper use of the facility; responding to requests for loans and the exchange of specimens according to professional collection practices and UM/DBS policies. This position serves as both the Friends of the UM Herbarium (FoH) Secretary and Treasurer and is responsible for leading the FoH Annual Board Meeting which occurs on a Saturday in the fall of each year.

The Curator will develop working knowledge of all local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding transactions involving plant specimens or parts thereof; working knowledge of professional museum practices and standards, both legal and procedural, to keep collections management policies and forms up to date; and ability to accurately identify specimens or parts thereof in order to avoid personal liability for herbarium activities and to ensure that the herbarium is acting in a lawful and ethical manner. This position also requires incumbent to develop skills in public fund-raising and outreach, including presentations to and scheduling visits by schools and other interested groups; supervisory skills, including hiring, training and discipline; and the ability to manage funds and produce regular newsletters.

The Herbarium at The University of Montana is an irreplaceable resource for the study of the botany and plant ecology of Montana. It contains over 129,000 plant specimens and has the largest and best representation of the flora of the Northern Rocky Mountains in the world. The Herbarium is particularly well-known for its outstanding collections from the alpine and montane regions of Montana. The Herbarium is a major repository of botanical specimens for researchers at The University of Montana, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana Native Plant Society, U.S. Forest Service, and private consultants. The Herbarium serves as a primary reference and data source in the region for these organizations. It also serves as a vital resource for rare plant conservation studies conducted by private consulting companies and government agencies. It is used by graduate students, professors, consultants and visiting researchers. The curator is an ex-officio member of the Friends of the UM Herbarium, a group of University and community members dedicated to the improvement of the herbarium collections, documentation, and space. Through the loan and exchange programs, specimens are available to herbaria throughout North America. Also, UM students and faculty turn to the Herbarium for undergraduate training and graduate research.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of professional collection practices and theories regarding proper use and access to collections, to be able to supervise all access to and loans of herbarium materials, assignment of keys, and to update and enforce the visitor use policy for the herbarium.
• Knowledge of proper archival storage methods and techniques, including detailed knowledge of specialty cabinets and proper storage and protective materials.
• Taxonomic knowledge sufficient to evaluate the strengths of the UM Herbarium collection, and any needs for acquisitions for research or teaching purposes.
• Knowledge of pest control materials and techniques including prevention and the proper use of chemicals.
• Knowledge of preparation and preservation techniques for plant specimens.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written.

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years’ experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in museum science or related field (e.g. botany).

About the Division of Biological Sciences and UM

The Division of Biological Sciences at The University of Montana-Missoula delivers high-quality academic programs in the biological sciences. The division’s mission includes educating students at all levels from the baccalaureate to the doctoral, so that they develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed as professional biologists and as citizens in a rapidly changing world facing problems that include significant biological components; to foster strong research programs that create new knowledge, understanding, and approaches in biology and that enhance the learning environment for students; and to apply biological science to benefit the university, state, region, nation and the world.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

Position Details

Position Title: Curator

Position Number: 016420

Department: DBS

Work Schedule: Part-time 0.5 FTE (20 hrs/week) Varying schedule, Fiscal year (12 months)

Salary: $20.27/hr - Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: Out of Union

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

This position will remain open until filled.

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

*Please note, only five (5) attachments allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular