Earth Sciences Collections Assistant

Description

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) seeks a term (2 yrs.) Collections Assistant (CA) in the Integrative Collections Branch to support the Earth Sciences’ Vertebrate Paleontology Collections.  Specifically, the Collections Assistant will work with vertebrate fossils from the Upper Cretaceous Kaiparowits and Wahweap formations of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah (GSENM). GSENM is one of the great American wildernesses, a remote high desert with remarkable paleontological richness, preserving a dinosaur ecosystem that contains dozens of taxa not found anywhere else on the planet.  

This position will rehouse, catalog, and upload to our database (KE Emu) the vertebrate fossils from GSENM. Additionally, the CA will mentor two interns each calendar year of the grant with support from the Project Directors. The CA will also coordinate 3D surface scanning of selected specimens and upload specimen scans into Morphosource. 

As part of an outwardly focused and collaborative museum team, this position will support outreach, service, and research activities on an as-needed basis. The DMNS is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitments to co-create a museum-wide DEAI strategy, and to find ways for culturally diverse communities to engage with the Museum in meaningful ways.

This position reports to the Earth Sciences Collections Manager.

Job Class: Full-Time
Hiring Range: $24.00
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, evenings and weekends as needed.
Direct Reports: 0       

Essential duties: 

• Supports professional management of the Earth Sciences Vertebrate Paleontology Collections.
• Assists with documentation, rehousing, cataloging, database entry, storage, organization, and inventory.
• Trains, monitors, and supervises interns and volunteers as needed.
• Assists with preparation of quarterly progress reports.
• Handles specimens safely and follows collections management best practices.
• Maintains and updates collections data in KE EMu.
• Implements and ensures compliance with collections safety protocols.
• Supports internal and external outreach and service programs.
• Maintains personal administration duties, including timely communication.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications/Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in geology, Earth sciences, biology, or related field.
• 6+ months postgraduate experience working in or organizing collections and managing relational databases
• Experience with 3D scanning of vertebrate fossils
• At least 6 months of experience working with vertebrate fossils
• At least 6 months of experience with KE EMu.

Physical Requirements of job:

• Ability to sit and/or stand for up to 8 hours at a time.
• Moderate physical activity required by handling objects up to 30 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally, and up to 100 pounds (with assistance) rarely.

Ideal candidate will have (not required, but preferred):  

• Understanding of specimen needs, risks, and locality types.
• Experience handling, moving, preparing, and rehousing vertebrate collections.
• Supervisory experience with interns and volunteers.
• Experience or interest in engaging diverse audiences in science and science communication.
• Proven record of being a highly motivated, proactive team player.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Experience working with Upper Cretaceous vertebrate fossils in collections

Application Instructions: 

Please submit your COMBINED resume and cover letter by November 27, 2026.  Resumes will not be accepted after this time.Applications will only be accepted electronically via the Museum’s website www.dmns.org. Due to the high volume of people who apply, we are not able to respond to specific inquiries regarding your application status. 

The Museum is committed to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff to serve the needs of our visitors. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. 

DMNS Core Values

• We love science.
• We are curious, creative, and playful.
• We cultivate relationships with each other, diverse communities, the environment, and for our future.
• We think critically and act with empathy.

Perks of Working at DMNS

A Workplace That Invests in You: DMNS is proud to be a 2026 Mployer Advisor Top Employee Benefits Award winner, recognized for our benefits both within our industry and across all industries in the Mountain region. From health coverage to retirement savings and leave benefits, we’re committed to supporting you at work and beyond.

Click HERE (https://www.dmns.org/about/careers/benefits/) to learn more about the benefits package offered to DMNS staff.