Curator & Information Resource Manager
Employment Type
Job (Full-time)Job Categories
Research & Science
Job Description
The Curator and Information Resource Manager is responsible for managing the living collections program at Connecticut College Arboretum. The Curator is responsible for management of the Arboretum’s plant records system (BGBase), conducting annual living collections field checks, GIS mapping and database management. They engage in maintaining the collections integrity through field checks, taxonomic verification, nomenclatural evaluation and collections audits. The curator plays an essential role in administering the Living Collections Policy and ensuring that all plant acquisitions and landscape designs adhere to its principles. They are a member on the Collections Committee which oversees plant selection, planting placement, landscape design and policy development. As the Information Resource Manager, they are responsible for the maintenance of the Arboretum’s library of books, periodicals, images and data sets. They lead website content management for plant collections information. They participate in teaching or supporting educational programming that aligns with the Arboretum’s mission.
About Us
Established in 1931, the Connecticut College Arboretum is a signature feature encompassing 750 acres, with a 30-acre Native Plant Collection, 3-acre Caroline Black Garden, a teaching and research greenhouse facility, and a variety of natural environments including a bog, restored meadows, oak/hickory forests, a wooded island in the Thames River, and a salt marsh. Integrating into everyday life at the College, the Arboretum serves as an outdoor classroom and is the focus of several long-term research programs. In addition to education and research missions, the Arboretum provides stewardship of College lands and leadership on conservation issues locally and statewide. Serving as an integral part of the New London community, the Arboretum offers an extensive array of walking trails for education and recreation, programs for local school children, public workshops and conferences.
Duties & Responsibilities
1.) Maintain and update all accession level data for the 6,000+ trees, shrubs and vines in the living collections of Connecticut College Arboretum. Accession/ deaccession plants in living collections and maintain associated data (provenance, source, lineage, etc.).
2.) Ensure the taxonomy and nomenclature of the specimens in the living collections are accurate and up to date in accordance with scientific consensus.
3.) Conduct comprehensive field checks of all trees and shrubs within the Arboretum’s living collections (Native Plant Collection, Caroline Black Garden and Campus Landscape) on a five-year rotation assessing plant condition, dimensions (height, spread and DBH) and map location.
4.) Use plant records database software (BG-Base), geographic information systems (Arc-GIS) and GPS enabled mapping technologies to maintain and update the arboretum’s plant records databases and maps. Remain current on new technology and software relating to plant records management.
5.) Create, update and maintain plant accession and display labels throughout the collections.
6.) Lead curatorial collection reviews to monitor the condition and scope of collections and to create comprehensive, long-term management plans with the goal of diversifying the collections in alignment with living collections policy.
7.) Work closely with the Arboretum Director and Horticulture staff to guide selection of suitable collections plants, appropriate planting locations and ongoing maintenance techniques.
8.) Participate in the development and delivery of educational programs for students, public and professional audiences including tours, lectures and workshops.
9.) Serve as the organizational resource for providing information on the plant collections by providing instruction, updates and reports for Arboretum staff, faculty, students and volunteers. in
10.) Update maps and associated information on Arboretum website and publications ensuring that plant collections are updated in GIS and available to the public.
11.) Manage the arboretum library of books (approximately 1,500), along with maps, periodicals, images and datasets.
12.) Supervise student workers, interns and volunteers.
13.) Foster relationships with outside groups such as other arboreta, botanic gardens, plant societies, conservation organizations, academic institutions, and others to promote the exchange of knowledge as well as plant material.
Education and Experience
1.) Bachelor’s degree in botany, plant biology, horticulture or related field and three years of experience in a botanic garden or arboretum, preferably with collections management experience. Or a combination of relevant education and experience.
2.) Knowledge of botanical taxonomy and nomenclature.
3.) Excellent temperate woody plant identification skills and ability to use taxonomic keys to identify plants to species or sub species level.
4.) Ability to use databases, electronic mapping and design software.
5.) Competency using Microsoft Office Suite software.
6.) Strong written, oral communication and presentation skills.
7.) Ability to work independently and as part of a team with department staff.
8.) Ability to interact well and collaborate with a variety of people from all aspects of the college and the community.
9.) Attention to detail.
10.) Well-organized, able to work under pressure, plan and accomplish goals.
11.) Some travel required for conferences, trainings and plant acquisition.
Application Instructions
Please apply at https://conncoll.peopleadmin.com/postings/792 and upload required documents:
-Resume
-Cover Letter
September 29, 2024
