Entomology Museum Technician – Wild Bees of Montana

General Statement

Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment.

Currently, the University enrolls over 16,500 students, including over 2,000 graduate students. MSU is in Bozeman, Montana, a community of 53,000 situated in the Gallatin Valley, and part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The MTEC is part of the Entomology Group, a multi-departmental group of faculty that teach and advise graduate students in offering the .

degree in Entomology, and an undergraduate Minor in Entomology. They also collaborate in offering related . programs. Specialized entomology facilities include an insect quarantine facility in the Plant Growth Center, a bee yard, the Pollinator Health Center, the Schutter Diagnostic Lab, and the Montana Entomology Collection.

Entomology teaching collections for general entomology, insect identification, aquatic entomology, veterinary entomology and insect morphology are also available.

Duties and Responsibilities We seek a highly qualified and enthusiastic entomologist to contribute to the Wild Bees of Montana Project.

The successful candidate, under the direction of the Curator and Associate Curator for Apoidea, will conduct museum curatorial activities, as well as some occasional field work.

The primary task will be processing (., sorting, cleaning, drying, pinning and point mounting) newly collected specimens as well as a large backlog of specimens.

Other duties may include labeling, databasing, and photographing specimens, and occasionally assisting in sorting and identification as required.

This person will provide research support to project staff and graduate students as directed. Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Entomology or related field with a significant entomology component documented by transcripts of appropriate classes, including taxonomic classes and specimen preparation and handling.

Appropriate collections experience in curation and taxonomy of insects, especially bees, may be substituted for the BS.

Computer skills with PC computers, Microsoft and Adobe products. NOTE : work will be exclusively with PC computers.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience processing bee samples.
• Experience working in museum collections.
• Photography skills.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Excellent dexterity and eyesight allowing for detailed handling and mounting of small to very small specimens.
• Detail-oriented focus on care of handling specimens, accurate data entry, collection organization and other tasks.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to sit and focus on repetitive tasks for long periods of time while removed from electronic entertainment.
• Ability to focus with other activities happening in the surrounding area.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Ability to work around chemicals used in collection, curating and preservation of insect collections.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good to excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Dependability, punctuality, and consistency in producing high-quality work.
• Desire to work with a diverse community of co-workers, students and community members.

Position Special Requirements / Additional Information Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job.

Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Requires sitting and walking up and down stairs.

This position has supervisory duties? No