Position Focus:

Reporting jointly to the Supervisor of the Vertebrate Paleontology Fossil Preparation Lab and the Assistant Director of Exhibitions, the Preparator will prepare, mold and cast, stabilize and repair specimens as part of the renovation of the Museum. Under the guidance of the Lab Supervisor, but with significant initiative, the position will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate tools and techniques to safely reveal relevant information and safeguard the long-term well-being of the specimen. Where needed, the Preparator will reconstruct specimens to maintain their integrity, using appropriate materials and techniques.

The position will be responsible for documenting preparation histories for individual specimens, including photography of specimens; creating and updating records the Museum’s collection management database EMu; and, under the guidance of the Lab Supervisor, making exhibition-quality molds and casts of fossils. The Preparator will be required to understand and use Safety Data Sheets and select appropriate personal protective equipment and environmental controls.  They will assist in transporting large specimens throughout the department (including West Campus), which will require that they can drive and safely move heavy and delicate specimens. They may be responsible for supervision and training of durational and casual staff, student workers and volunteers in fossil preparation laboratories at both the Peabody Museum and West Campus sites, and for monitoring and reporting on progress against project goals.

Please provide a PDF portfolio with application.

Essential Duties

1. Leads the production, installation and maintenance of museum exhibits and dioramas. Works with director and curators in planning and designing installations. Prepares scale drawings and models.
2. Performs historical research and makes recommendations to curators regarding items to be used in exhibits as well as regarding displays and mounts to be fabricated for the exhibit.
3. Responsible for the care and maintenance of permanent exhibits.
4. Designs and fabricates mounts, molds, mats and frames for items or materials contained in a museum collection. Prepares items for display.
5. Oversees staff and outside contractors involved in exhibit, conservation, and repair projects.
6. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific field and five years preparatory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Proven ability to prepare delicate and complex fossil specimens, operate preparation tools, such as: microscopes, air-scribes, hand tools, air abrasive, and other specialized matrix removal devices. Ability to select the correct tool and personal protection equipment (PPE) for the task.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated knowledge of the basic anatomy of the vertebrate skeleton, including ability to anticipate detailed morphological features hidden by matrix. Ability to research literature and comparative material to accurately recreate missing portions of fossil specimens.  May require photogrammetry or surface scanning and printing of 3D reconstructions.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Demonstrated ability with molding and casting techniques and materials. Ability to paint exhibit-quality casts of fossil specimens. Demonstrated ability to draw and sculpt accurate reconstructions.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Critical thinking ability and ability with written and oral communication. Ability to use digital cameras, prepare preparation records using a PC or Mac, and willingness to learn to enter technical information into the Museum’s relational database, EMu.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Demonstrated awareness of preventive conservation and archival methods and materials, archival adhesives and consolidants and their uses.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Experience in, and understanding of, the methods used to safely prepare, stabilize and exhibit fossil materials. Ability to adapt techniques and knowledge to unique situations involving fossil specimens. Welding and armature creation experience a plus.

Physical Requirements

Ability to safely move heavy and delicate objects.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Drug Screen

No

Health Screening

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus