Title: Collections Management Specialist
Department: Exhibits & Collections
Reporting to: Deputy Director of Museum Operations
Hiring Date: January 2026
Status: Exempt/Full Time Union position with 40 hours per week.
Rate of Pay: $21.9592/hour
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Job Summary:
The EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, seeks a knowledgeable and detail-oriented museum professional or archivist to serve as a Collections Management Specialist.
The Worcester Society of Natural History d.b.a. EcoTarium was founded in 1825 as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History and is the second oldest natural history collecting organization in the United States. The EcoTarium’s collection contains approximately 55,000 pieces. The scope of the EcoTarium’s collection is wide ranging including taxa from herpetology to entomology with concentrations in New England, but also containing specimens from around the world. The Museum’s ornithology collection includes specimens from the Thayer Ornithological Collection collected by renowned ornithologist John Eliot Thayer. The collection had a world geographic focus and contains males, females, and juveniles of most species represented as well as many endangered and extinct specimens. The EcoTarium’s collections encompass a diverse range of materials including natural history specimens, taxidermy, shells, fossils, rocks and minerals, books, scrapbooks, ephemeral print materials, photographs, paintings, murals, sculpture, technological artifacts, and ethnographic objects. Some specimens date back to the Museum’s founding in 1825, representing both scientific and historical significance.
The Collections Management Specialist will support the care, organization, exhibition, and documentation of the Museum’s collections and library. This position is responsible for carrying out key aspects of registration and collections management, coordinating an active volunteer collections inventory program, assisting with the Curator’s Workshop interpretive exhibit and other exhibits of specimens, and oversight of subject matter expert contractors. On occasion, the Specialist will facilitate the thoughtful acquisition and display of exceptional items that align with the museum’s mission and collection goals. The schedule for this position will be five days per week with one required weekend day. There will be occasional after-hours/off-site work that may be required for special events or other activities, based on operational need.
Essential Functions:
- Maintain accurate and updated collections records, contributing to long-term reconciliation and data accuracy efforts
- Responsible for maintaining and updating the museum’s PastPerfect collections management database, ensuring accurate, consistent, and complete records for all objects and specimens
- Support planning and implementation of inventory and cataloging projects
- Assist staff in identifying and accessing collections for exhibition, education, and research purposes
- Help review and implement collections management and policies and procedures
- Process and track incoming and outgoing loans, donations, and transfers in accordance with museum standards
- Follow and promote best practices in preventive collections care and handling.
- Knowledge of collections documentation standards as they relate to compliance with laws such as NAGPRA, ARPA, and UNESCO conventions
- Regularly inspect and monitor collections storage and exhibition areas to ensure proper environmental and security conditions
- Perform routine housekeeping and organization in collections storage areas
- Conduct preventative conservation tasks and assist in rehousing or stabilizing selected objects
- Coordinate with and support external vendors, specialists, and consultants as assigned
- Train, supervise, and support interns and volunteers working with collections
- Monitor and maintain inventory of collections care materials and supplies
- Maintain and organize collections object files and related documentation
- Respond to internal and external research inquiries regarding the museum’s collections
- Assist in maintaining and organizing the Museum’s institutional archives
- Participate in developing and implementing collections emergency preparedness and response plans, including disaster prevention, response, and recovery for collections
- Support and document Integrated Pest Management (IPM) activities to protect natural history and zoological specimens
- Maintain awareness of and ensure compliance with applicable wildlife collection, transport, and display regulations (e.g., USDA, USFWS, CITES)
- Collaborate with academic, research, and conservation partners on collections-based research projects
- Assist with grant proposals to improve funding to improve the storage, access, and use of the EcoTarium collection
- Monitor and record temperature, humidity, light, and pollutant levels in storage and exhibition spaces; report and help mitigate any issues affecting collections preservation
- Contribute to the interpretation of collections for exhibitions, educational programs, and digital content to connect the public with the museum’s scientific and natural history collections
- Participate in committees as assigned to develop, plan, or implement programs or events.
- Develop and teach hands-on, inquiry-based, participatory programs for guests as part of our public programs that focus on our collections responsible for leading two-three 30 minute public programs per week
Non-Essential Functions
- Participate actively in all-staff community meetings, daily huddles, (virtual and in person), and staff training when applicable
- Contribute to a professional and motivational work environment by encouraging teamwork and providing positive reinforcement to team members when a job is well done
- Other duties as needed
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, library studies, natural history, or a related field, advanced coursework or certification in collections management, taxidermy, or conservation preferred.
- 2-4 years of related professional experience, preferably in a natural history museum or similar institution
- Demonstrated experience in collection care, handling, and preventive conservation for a variety of materials, including natural history specimens, books, and cultural objects
- Familiarity with current best practices and ethical standards in museum collections management
- Understanding of proper documentation and filing practices, archival experience a plus
- Experience using museum collections management database software, knowledge of PastPerfect strongly preferred
- Genuine interest in natural history and working knowledge of specimen preparation and taxonomic classification preferred
- Demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Experience coordinating or supporting volunteers and interns in a collections or curatorial setting a plus
- Ability to perform physical tasks included climbing ladders, lifting up to 50 lbs., reaching overhead, and working in confined or dusty environments.
- Ability to stand or sit for extended periods and move between workstations.
- Ability to wear a respirator and other personal protective equipment as appropriate and work safely with materials that may contain historic preservatives or chemicals
- Familiarity with loan, accession, and donation documentation processes.
- Knowledge of safe cleaning and preventive maintenance procedures for collection storage areas a plus
- Pass CORI, SORI and background check in accordance with EcoTarium guidelines
- Comfort with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Meet, G-Chat)
Disclaimer: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.