Herbarium and Research Intern

The Herbarium at The Morton Arboretum is recruiting an herbarium and research intern to begin in April. In the herbarium, the intern will assist with tasks related to processing the pressed and dried herbarium specimens. Primary activities may include collecting plants in the Living Collections of The Morton Arboretum or off-site, mounting, accessioning, databasing, imaging, and filing. Additional activities may consist of assisting with curating research specimens, making folders, adding annotations to specimens, proofreading data entry records, streamlining protocols, assisting with preparing loans, or other activities. The intern will also assist with research by maintaining the bur oak common garden through weeding and coordinating with and assisting volunteers who collect the phenology data. A good candidate will enjoy a mix of working outdoors and in the herbarium, handling and working with specimens, and have an interest in collections work. At times, within the Herbarium/Plant Systematics Lab, staff and interns assist with other lab activities as needed.

Location : The Morton Arboretum (Lisle, IL)

Position Summary: Assist in The Morton Arboretum's Herbarium operations and bur oak common garden maintenance. Assist in herbarium operations at a regionally and internationally visible archive of biodiversity, a hub for research, and a community resource for researchers, botanists, and the public. Support the operations in the Herbarium through activities that may include collecting, mounting, accessioning, databasing, imaging, and filing specimens, among other tasks. Assist with maintaining the research bur oak common garden. Support garden phenology volunteers in data collection and through handling questions.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with herbarium specimen collecting, mounting, accessioning, databasing, and imaging.
• Process specimens through dryer and freezer cycles.
• Clean and maintain herbarium equipment and space as used.
• Assist with garden maintenance.
• Support volunteers in phenology data collection.
• May include additional responsibilities around the curation of herbarium specimens.
• May assist with additional field and lab work as needed.
• Participate in weekly lab meetings with the Systematics Research Program as schedule allows.
• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:Current enrollment in Associate or Bachelor's degree program or have obtained an Associate's or Bachelor's degree, with an interest in studying biology, environmental sciences, or a related field. Organization and independent working skills required. Willingness and eagerness to learn necessary field, herbarium, and library research skills required. Experience with database, spreadsheets, and Google applications beneficial. May require possession of a valid driver's license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.

Success Factors: Ability and willingness to work in herbarium and field environments. Good written and oral communication skills. Clear thought, visual acuity, and manual dexterity needed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: walking over varied terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs. assisted). Use of chemicals may be necessary.
• Work Environment: Office environment and Arboretum grounds. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions including heat and cold. Some local or national travel may be required.
• Equipment: General office equipment, field and herbarium equipment, hand tools.

The hiring rate for this position is $20.00/hour. This position is also eligible for acompetitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please include a resume and cover letter with application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.