[ES_JOBS_NET] Museum Curator and Taxonomist position available with conservation NGO in Paraguay!

[Olivia Zickgraf]

Fundación Para La Tierra <www.paralatierra.org> is looking for a Museum 
Curator and Taxonomist to take care of our natural history collection, 
the second largest reference collection in Paraguay.You'll receive a 
competitive Paraguayan salary with all bed and board covered. Apply now 
and contribute directly to conservation in Paraguay!

*Position Description*

Para La Tierra has a large natural history collection, which comprises 
entomological, mammalogical, herpetological, ichthyological, 
ornithological and botanical specimens. The Museum Curator is tasked 
with the management of the collection and ensuring that it remains a 
valuable reference for the fauna and flora of Paraguay, nationally and 
internationally.

The role of the Museum Curator is to ensure the long-term preservation 
and good maintenance of the Colección Científica Para La Tierra, housed 
in Pilar. In addition, they are responsible for overseeing the 
collection efforts and addition of new material; corresponding with 
other researchers/institutions especially for specimen requests and ID 
help; managing the laboratory and all scientific equipment; and carrying 
out independent museum-based research projects that contribute to the 
strategic aims of Para La Tierra. There is significant potential to 
enhance existing projects, as well as develop new ones, and to succeed 
you’ll need to be flexible, creative and entrepreneurial in this dynamic 
environment.

You’ll make a life changing step to the charismatic city of Pilar in 
southern Paraguay and join our team living at Centro IDEAL 
(Investigación, Desarrollo, Educación Ambiental y Liderazgo).

*Key responsibilities:*

  * Management of the collection:
      o Regular inspections and treatment for signs of infestation.
        Maintaining spirit in wet collections.
      o Management of cold storage tissue samples.
      o Follow protocols for museum maintenance and specimen preparation
        that ensures that the standard and quality of the collection is
        of an international level (including maintaining a controlled
        environment and dealing with infestations, fungus outbreaks),
        and supervise others in these tasks.
  * Curate the collection of physical specimens in taxonomic order.
  * Deal with specimen (or data) requests and correspond with other
    researchers/research institutions.
  * Carry out an independent research project that makes use of the
    collection.
  * Accurate record keeping of collection:
      o Maintaining electronic databases including regularly backing up
        all PLT data.
      o Photographing all specimens housed in the collection and
        organizing photographic databases.
      o Organization of museum library and e-library.
  * Collection and preparation of new specimens, and supervision of
    others in these tasks:
      o Collect physical material via approved techniques such as
        pitfall trapping, insect lights/traps etc.
      o Dispatch live specimens.
      o Prepare specimens appropriately i.e. skins, skulls, tissue,
        pinning, etc.
      o Cataloguing new specimens and adding all information to the
        relevant databases.
  * Management of any live animals being housed at Para La Tierra.
  * Supervising interns and volunteers:
      o Training and supervising interns that are working within the
        collection and with specimens.
      o Training and supervising interns that are working within the
        Laboratory
      o Contribute to the engagement of PLT volunteers and interns in an
        academic and challenging culture.
      o Running lab and museum inductions for all new site visitors,
        volunteers and interns.
  * Other:
      o Contribute to furthering PLTs mission wherever possible,
        including using non-science skills to assist in project development.
      o Collaborating with the PLT team to provide educational
        materials, including presentations, for university groups,
        online courses, or other requirements.
      o Providing museum tours to visiting scientists, tourists, and
        other groups.
      o Assisting with other PLT projects where requested by the
        directive team.
      o Produce one blog post per month about what is happening in the
        museum and provide regular updates to the marketing officer for
        social media.
      o When necessary, fulfil domestic responsibilities including but
        not limited to cooking meals, cleaning dishes, shopping,
        coordinating recreational activities, and managing PLT home
        projects.

*Candidate Profile:*

We’re looking for a skilled and meticulous organizer who pays great 
attention to detail, with experience of working with museum collections. 
You will have experience of preparing specimens for taxonomic study or 
for natural history collections, as well as a university level degree in 
a relevant subject.

Required skills and experience:

  * Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, in a tidy,
    logical and systematic order.
  * Be capable of handling live specimens compassionately, adhering to
    the highest standards of animal welfare.
  * Previous experience in working within a natural history museum
    environment.
  * Experience working in or managing a lab.
  * Experience with scientific writing.
  * Knowledge of taxonomic order and species found in Paraguay.
  * Experience of working on field sites and collecting specimens
  * Photography and microscopy skills.
  * Fluency in English is required, proficiency in Spanish is required
    or willingness to learn.
  * Educated to post-graduate degree level.
  * Driving license with 4x4/off-road experience.
  * Competent in use of Microsoft Office, Lightroom/Photoshop, and
    ideally museum database software.

*Conditions:*

Full time, permanent live-in, paid position with no expenses (full bed 
and board provided), and six weeks paid holiday, plus National vacation 
days. Contract length is 18 months fixed term following a six month 
probation period. You must be prepared to apply for legal residence and 
a biologists licence in Paraguay, the cost of which will be reimbursed 
by PLT upon completion of your contract.

The post is compensated at a rate of $400/month for the first six months 
and $450/month for the following 18 months. With almost no living costs, 
our staff are able to save much of what they earn.

*Application:*

You’ll be contributing to ground-breaking research in Paraguay. The 
recruitment process will include a zoom interview, and a written project 
proposal. No closing date - rolling applications until the right 
candidate is found.

*To apply, please send your CV, a cover letter, two professional or 
academic references and one character reference to 
rebecca at paralatierra.org. *

You can find more information about us on www.paralatierra.org 
<http://www.paralatierra.org> or social media @para_la_tierra 
<https://www.instagram.com/para_la_tierra/?hl=en>.

-- 
*Olivia Zickgraf*
Marketing and Communications Officer
Fundación Para La Tierra, Paraguay
www.paralatierra.org
olivia at paralatierra.org
Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/para_la_tierra/> Facebook 
<https://www.facebook.com/para.latierra> TikTok 
<https://www.tiktok.com/@paralatierra> Twitter 
<https://twitter.com/paralatierra> LinkedIn 
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/9396411/>
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