Fossil Preparator

The Fossil Preparator is charged with conserving, stabilizing, and cleaning objects in the fossil collection at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, in collaboration with museum faculty, staff, students, and other volunteers. The preparator will assist in the museum after school program, training and supervising Webb students in fossil preparation. The preparator will also support fieldwork efforts. Typical days will be Monday–Friday, with some weekends also required. The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology is part of The Webb Schools, an independent boarding school, situated on the Webb campus.

MISSION AND COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

The Webb Schools are committed to fostering an inclusive school community characterized by openness, acceptance, and empathy, where all members are valued, respected and supported. Our community is strengthened by the diverse views, beliefs, backgrounds and experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Embracing diversity in all its many forms is essential to our mission: in particular, our call to provide an exemplary learning community that nurtures future leaders who will act with honor and moral courage and serve with a generous spirit. For more on our values and commitment to DEI initiatives, click here.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation and conservation of vertebrate fossils consistent with best practices in the discipline.
• Training and supervising Webb students and other volunteers in fossil preparation, including the afternoon program for students at The Webb Schools, ensuring that fossils are properly handled, prepared, and documented.
• Keep records of fossil field work, collection events, and preparation consistent with best practices in the discipline.
• Maintain lab safety equipment, ensure that lab materials are properly labeled and stored, ensure that lab equipment is in good working order, and ensure that consumables are stocked.
• Ensure that the lab space is clean, safe, and usable.
• Train museum staff, students, and volunteers in lab safety protocols.
• Support fieldwork through logistical assistance to the curator and director, collect fossils in the field using techniques consistent with best practices for the discipline, assist in training and supervising staff, students, and other volunteers in paleontological fieldwork, properly document fossils in the field, and support museum staff in preparing reports for government agencies regarding fieldwork conducted under permit. Fieldwork, at a minimum, typically will include two to four weekends during the school year and two to four weeks during the summer.
• Manage the budget for the fossil preparation lab.
• Represent the Alf Museum and Webb at professional conferences, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other museum staff to ensure a smooth transition of specimens from the field to lab to collection.
• Support conservation (including repair) of specimens in the collection, in collaboration with the collections manager, curator, and director.
• Support the museum director, curator, and other staff in classes, outreach events, alumni/donor events, and other educational programs with Webb students and the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

• A minimum of two years’ experience with mechanical preparation of fossils is required.
• An ability to learn, problem solve, and innovate in fossil preparation, tailoring preparation, and conservation approaches to the problem at hand, is required.
• Interest in working with high school students in lab and field conditions is required.
• Experience in working with high school students both in lab and field conditions is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, across professional, avocational, donor, and student audiences are required.
• Ability and willingness to set project priorities in accordance with program needs is required.
• Strong time management, organizational, and budget tracking skills are required.
• Demonstrated engagement with the professional fossil preparation community is a plus.
• Experience with paleontology permits and permit compliance is a plus.
• Experience with GIS is a plus.
• Experience with chemical fossil preparation, screenwashing, micropreparation, archival mounts, and/or digital preparation/scanning/3D printing is a plus.
• Following review of applications, applicants may be requested to submit a portfolio of three current or previous fossil preparation/conservation projects

• Contributes to the delivery of the mission, vision, and values of the school community.
• Demonstrates inclusive and equitable practices to ensure that all members of the community feel a sense of belonging.
• Follows community policies and procedures and models positive behavior.
• Works effectively as a team member and develops professional and productive relationships with colleagues.
• Understands boundaries and embraces responsibility for the care of students in loco parentis.
• Promotes a trust-based community by keeping appropriate confidence.
• Manages time effectively and meets deadlines and commitments.
• Communicates and responds to all school communications in a timely manner.
• Exhibits flexibility and adaptability to change as needed.

• The Webb Schools offer competitive compensation. In setting position ranges, Webb reviews numerous factors including industry data from NAIS, CAIS, NBOA, and other market data.
• Webb believes a strong benefits package is important for employee stability and retention. Benefits include highly subsidized health plans, robust retirement contributions, and tuition remission.
• Webb allocates substantial resources to growth and professional development, including funding for advanced degrees, curriculum development, industry conferences and workshops, and other academic and pedagogical pursuits.

The Webb Schools are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and do not discriminate based on perceived or actual race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, pregnancy (or any related conditions), age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, gender/identity/expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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