Herbarium Digitization Assistant

Join the transformative initiative to revolutionize, conserve, and digitize Missouri Botanical Garden's extensive herbarium plant collection. We will use cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to automatically identify plant species and address the biodiversity crisis.

This landmark initiative will bring 6 million plant specimens online over the next six years, making critical data freely accessible to scientists, conservationists, and policymakers globally.

Summary: This is a multi-year position dependent on restricted funding and project duration that will image, database, and curate specimens in the Herbarium at the Missouri Botanical Garden. With nearly 8 million specimens of preserved plants, the MBG Herbarium is one of the largest and most active research collections in the world and serves as a core resource for the Garden's Science and Conservation Division. The successful candidate for this position will join a dedicated team of scientists and support staff in the Herbarium to produce high-quality specimen data to serve urgent global needs in research, conservation, land management, and policymaking. In addition, staff hired in this position will participate in a curatorial mentorship program, attending workshops held by other Garden staff on botanical taxonomy, nomenclature, specimen curation, and collection management to develop their Herbarium skills and knowledge. This role requires excellent time management and interpersonal skills, a thoughtful and collaborative approach to problem solving, and a deep passion for plants. Initial core duties include pulling, barcoding, and imaging specimens, label data capture, data quality assurance (QA), and specimen filing. As part of the curatorial mentorship program, duties will expand to include: becoming familiar with the taxonomic literature of one or more target plant families, updating scientific names on specimens according to recent taxonomic treatments, identifying specimens, and improving the accuracy of the physical collection and its associated digital records.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Pulls, barcodes, images, and refiles specimens in coordination with other Herbarium and research staff to ensure timely completion of grant deliverables with minimum interruption to other Herbarium activities.
• Transcribes label data from specimen images using Tropicos, the Missouri Botanical Garden's global database of plant names, specimens, and publications.
• Engages in careful and efficient quality control checks to ensure the highest standards in image and data quality.
• Works with Herbarium Digitization Supervisors and Manager to develop and test workflows to optimize digitization efficiency and improve data quality.
• Reviews label transcriptions from AI models and other sources for accuracy prior to their incorporation in Tropicos.
• Attends curatorial mentorship workshops, lectures, and other events to grow capacity in taxonomy and Herbarium curation.
• Files specimens, updates scientific names, reads taxonomic literature, and identifies plant collections in one or more target families (developed over time as part of the curatorial mentorship program).
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed to reduce hazards.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies:

Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.

Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.

Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• One to three years related experience in general data entry, preferably in the context of herbaria or other research collections.
• Basic knowledge of digital photography, including best practices in color standardization, metadata capture, and archival file storage, desired.
• Basic knowledge of botanical terminology strongly desired.
• Excellent typing skills and data entry skills. Ability to read cursive writing.

• Must be punctual, dependable, a self-starter, and possess the ability to effectively multi-task and work under minimal supervision.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information to effectively execute and achieve results.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.

• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree, ideally in a field relevant to botany, is required.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: N/A.

Language Skills: Ability to read and communicate effectively in English (oral/written) required. Knowledge of additional languages, especially Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese, desired.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, required

• Solid Internet research skills.

• Knowledge of imaging software, including Capture One and Adobe Photoshop, highly desired.
• Must possess basic understanding of computer operating systems in order to troubleshoot hardware and software issues, in consultation with IT staff.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods.

• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the work day.
• Operates computer and photography rigs.
• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds.
• Requires clarity of vision at 20 inches or less with the ability to bring objects into sharp focus.
• Requires clarity of vision to accurately clarify colors.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, step stools, etc.)

Work Environment:

• Quiet indoor office setting; shared work space, office environment with multiple staff within the department.

• Possible travel to professional meetings.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Garden employees and volunteers.
• External digitization consultants
• Peer institutions and collaborators