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

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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.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• Must have availability to work one weekend day a week (either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday). Ability to work evenings and some holidays as needed.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.