Position Available: Herbarium Database Manager

[Barbara Thiers]

Position Available
Herbarium Database Manager, New York Botanical Garden

          The newly-created position of Herbarium Database Manager is
          currently available at the New York Botanical Garden.  The
          Database Manager will be responsible for the quality of the
          data entered into NYpc, the Garden's institution-wide
          specimen database system.

          The Herbarium Database Manager will train all new users of
          the database system.  Initially at least 10 herbarium staff
          members will catalog specimens in to the database as a
          routine part of their job.  Training will include not only
          the step-by-step operation of the database at the computer,
          but also interpretation of specimen label data, including
          how to use pertinent botanical literature to interpret that
          data. The Herbarium Database Manager will regularly
          review new entries to the authority files associated with
          NYpc to be sure that the information is correct and in the
          proper format.

          The Herbarium Database Manager will be responsible for
          revising and maintaining the user documentation for the
          software (both written and on-line), and will work with the
          Computer Services Staff to help prepare specimen records to
          be made available electronically to the scientific
          community via the INTERNET.  The Herbarium Database Manager
          will also help in the planning for, implementation of, and
          conversion to the more elaborate database system (NYdb) that
          will replace NYpc in the next five years.

          The New York Botanical Garden is located in the northernmost
          part of New York City, in the Bronx.  Our scientific program
          involves systematic and ethnobotanical research on plants
          and fungi.  The herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden
          is the largest in the western hemisphere, with approximately
          5.6 million dried specimens.

          The Herbarium Database Manager should have experience using
          a database, but programming skills are not required.
          Knowledge of plant nomenclature and familiarity with
          botanical literature is essential.  The Database Manager
          should have had experience working in an herbarium.
          Because we will be conducting databasing projects in all
          groups of plants and fungi, a familiarity with a broad array
          of plant and fungal groups is desirable.  The Herbarium
          Database Manager shou ld have a B.S. or M.S. in Botany or
          Biology, or equivalent experience.  Salary is commensurate
          with experience.  Excellent fringe benefits, including four
          weeks vacation.  Send resume and letter of interest to:
          Personnel Manager New York Botanical Garden 200 st. &
          Southern blvd.  Bronx, NY 10458-5126 AA/EOE/M/F/D/V

          We would like to fill the position in February or March
          1995.  If you have questions about the job, contact:
          Barbara M. Thiers, Administrative Curator New York Botanical
          Garden Bronx  NY 10458 email: bthiers at nybg.org; telephone:
          718-817-6822; fax: 718-562-6780.