Museum Scientist: Living Collections Specialist (9723C) Lawrence Hall of Science, #88603

Museum Scientist: Living Collections Specialist (9723C) Lawrence Hall of Science, #88603 About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan , which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride .

Departmental Overview

The Lawrence Hall of Science is UC Berkeley's public science center, serving more than 100,000 visitors each year to programs and events onsite and hundreds of thousands more in schools and community settings across Northern California. Our programs, products, and research impact youth, communities, educators, leaders and partners locally, nationally and globally.

Our mission is to inspire and engage through science discovery and learning in ways that advance equity and opportunity. We do this by working with audiences that include learners, who experience our programs and products; educators, who work both in and out of school settings; and partners, who conduct research, build capacity for learning, and transform education systems. Research underlies everything we do, and we design all of our programs and products to have high

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Senior Museum Scientist, the Living Collections Specialist supports the curation and maintenance of the live animal ambassador colony used in educational programs and demonstrations at The Lawrence Hall of Science's Animal Discovery Zone. This position collaborates with University partners and other departments to plan, develop, and lead programs that enhance the public's understanding of the life sciences and STEM education. The Living Collections Specialist provides work direction and mentors UC Berkeley student assistants and volunteers on the animal care team and provides administrative and operational support to the Senior Museum Scientist to ensure a high quality of life for the animal ambassador colony.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 9/18/2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Operations, Staff & Administrative Support - 35%

Create the monthly student staff schedule

Provide work direction for and mentor student staff in their animal husbandry and facilitation duties

Support training and hiring processes

Manage inventory, records, task delegation, and operational problem-solving; purchase supplies as needed

Other duties as assigned

Animal Care & Health Management - 30%

Develop and oversee schedule of species-specific diet plans, feeding, grooming, enrichment, health monitoring and medications

Collaborate with veterinary staff as needed

Create and maintain SOPs, task schedules, cleaning protocols, and educational guides for animal care staff and volunteers

Habitat Design & Environmental Management - 20%

Create species-appropriate enclosure parameters that promote natural behaviors and provide visually engaging experiences for visitors

Oversee routine cleaning and maintenance schedule for animal enclosures

Collaboration & Public Engagement - 15%

Cross-departmental collaboration, event participation, public outreach, and educational programming

Occasionally facilitate engaging programs with the public

Required Qualifications

Minimum 4 years of experience handling animals while facilitating learning experiences with species similar to the current colony of Animal Discovery Zone animals (reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and arthropods), including thorough subject area knowledge of exotic animal natural history and ethology, as well as basic knowledge of appropriate species-specific behavior and it's relationship to animal health

Minimum 4 years professional experience with animal husbandry, including creating museum-quality live animal habitat displays and lighting

Minimum 2 years of experience facilitating and developing informal educational programs focused on ecology, conservation, zoology and/or related fields of the life sciences

Possess ability to understand, interpret and extrapolate applicable information from reliable resources and research studies on best animal care practices and ethology, and make recommendations based on findings, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills

Experience managing and training animal care staff, volunteers, and professional educators to help facilitate program activities with diverse audiences

Possess knowledge at a college level of science (biology or conservation and resource studies preferred)

Positive public service attitude and the ability to establish rapport with diverse public science center visitors, staff and volunteers and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment for all

Excellent interpersonal skillsconsiders and responds appropriately to the needs and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful and treats others with respect; relates effectively to others when encountering difficult situations

Thorough and effective verbal, written, interpersonal communication and public speaking skills

Commitment to teamworkcontributes to achieving group goals; supports teams efforts to succeed; balances team and individual responsibilities; willing to adjust schedules for the team; completes tasks on time; takes responsibility for own actions; reliable

Functional knowledge of informal educational techniques including the ability to deliver developmentally appropriate and effective pedagogy to engage diverse learners in experiences, programs, and exhibitions

Computer Skills with business software systems and database software in the completion of work assignments (for example, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspaces)

Work one weekend day a week (either SundayThursday or TuesdaySaturday). Ability to work evenings and some holidays as needed

Physical ability to pick up and carry supplies (up to 50 pounds)

Possess strong organizational skills

Education / Training

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Licenses / Certifications

Valid CA DL

First Aid, CPR certification (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $32.79 - $38.40 (steps 1-9).

This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.