Job Information
Harvard University Collections Fellow in Cambridge, Massachusetts
66185BRAuto req ID:66185BRJob Code:388056 Museum Professional Department Office Location:USA - MA - Jamaica Plain Business Title:Collections FellowSub-Unit:Arnold Arboretum Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :056Time Status:Full-time Union:00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary Basic Qualifications:
A master’s degree in public horticulture, archives and library sciences (from an ALA accredited institution), museum studies, curation, or related disciplines in the plant sciences, with strong knowledge of temperate woody plants.
A proven record of successful project management
Intermediate-level facility with the Microsoft Office Suite
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Applicants should be well-positioned to conduct independent project-based assignments, have good critical thinking skills and attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and be comfortable mentoring and supervising interns. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of curation, archive and library methodologies, and/or woody temperate plants. Applicants are expected to be fluent in English and although not required, familiarity or fluency in Chinese is desirable.
Additional Information:
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Department:Curation/ARBPre-Employment Screening:Education, IdentitySchedule:Full time. Monday through Friday. 35 hours per week. Job Function:Museum Position Description:
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Collections Fellow will manage the assembly and interpretation of expedition archives from the modern era. In particular, they will take a deep dive into NACPEC’s archives and use them to create an accessible repository for researchers, scholars, and consortium members. They will focus on three core areas:
1) Archival NACPEC Collections (including photographs, field notes, and trip reports);
2) Living and Preserved Collections (including evaluations and documentation of living plants and herbarium vouchers); and
3) Knowledge access and sharing (database management, web page development, publications, and communication).
The Fellow will analyze, organize and synthesize NACPEC collections and generate original scholarship. They will have opportunities to collaborate with NACPEC members and spend time in the field visiting partner institutions and their collections. They will be involved in contributing to the archives by conducting interviews with NACPEC members and creating original documentation. The Fellow will also work to assemble, study, and enhance the archives and collections documentation of expeditions that occur outside the scope of NACPEC in the modern collecting era. Equally important, the Fellowship affords the opportunity for the successful candidate to work closely alongside leaders in the field at one of the world’s most celebrated plant collections and botanical archives. The CF will have opportunities to mentor interns who will assist them on achieving project goals.
The CF is expected to engage fully in the professional activities of the Arnold Arboretum and to work collaboratively with Arboretum staff on other institutional efforts. They are encouraged to participate as an instructor for Arnold Arboretum education programs and to write for Arnoldia, the Arboretum’s quarterly magazine.
Please note: we are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Please also note: this is a time-limited, benefits-eligible position that will end two years from the date of hire.
Please upload a cover letter including i) reason for interest in the Collections Fellowship at the Arnold Arboretum; (ii) intended career path in public horticulture and/or archives and library sciences and how the Fellowship furthers those objectives; and (iii) proven successful project management abilities and how those skills will benefit the work of the Living Collections and Archives and Library team.
School/Unit:University Administration EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Job Summary:
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University seeks candidates for its Collections Fellowship (CF) and invites emerging leaders with demonstrated scholarship in archival and/or botanical collections curation to apply.
The Collections Fellow will be an integrated member of the Arboretum’s Curation and Library & Archives teams for a period of two years. They will champion a project focused on collections from the modern plant exploration era (1977 through today), particularly those associated with the North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium (NACPEC). NACPEC is a multi-institutional association of eleven botanical gardens that studies, documents, and collects plants for research and ex-situ conservation. For over 30 years, NACPEC has been the most active organization of its kind building international relationships and fostering scholarship among botanical gardens and their staff members.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.Benefits:We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format:On-Site LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-CS1Work Format Details:This position is based on-site at the Arnold Arboretum, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.About Us:The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a 281-acre museum of trees teaching the world about plants. With one of the world's most biodiverse collections of temperate woody plants, combined with world-class scientific resources, and a commitment to diverse programming, the Arnold Arboretum has been a leader in horticulture since its founding in 1872. As part of the Boston Parks system, it is free and open to all daily; we host over one million visitors each year.
We welcome interested applicants to view our website at: https://arboretum.harvard.edu/. Read about our land acknowledgment at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/early-indigenous-land-use and our statement on the legacy of slavery: https://arboretum.harvard.edu/about/our-history/the-arnold-arboretum-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/ (https://arboretum.harvard.edu/about/our-history/the-arnold-arboretum-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/%E2%80%AF)