Intern – Museum Collections

Job Description

Extra Help Assistant / Museum Intern | University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The Tone:
This is a temporary internship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, located in Little Rock, AR. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible, quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. It prepares students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields, serving as a driving force in Little Rock’s cultural community and a component of the region’s growing profile in research, economic development, and job creation. This role provides hands-on experience with biological and geological materials and collection management practices, supporting an ongoing effort to develop and maintain the UA Little Rock Museum of Natural History’s collections.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship / Volunteer
• Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
• Location: In-person, Little Rock, AR
• Team: Reports to the STEM Finance Department, working within the Biology Department for the UA Little Rock Museum of Natural History.
• Mission: This person assists with the organization, documentation, preparation, and management of biological and geological specimens for the UA Little Rock Museum of Natural History’s collections.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace applications

What You’ll Actually Do
• Specimen Inventory: Assist with inventorying and organizing biological or geological specimens within the collection.
• Cataloging: Help catalog specimens by recording relevant information such as specimen type, classification, and provenance.
• Labeling and Preparation: Label specimens and storage containers according to established organizational standards, and assist with the cleaning, preparation, and basic stabilization of samples.
• Record Management: Maintain accurate records of specimen locations and catalog information.
• Collection Support: Assist with the safe handling, storage, and organization of biological or geological materials, and support general collection management tasks as needed, including data entry and documentation.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Student. Must be a current UALR Biology Student with university coursework in Biology, Geology, Museum Studies, or related disciplines.
• Experience: No specific years of experience required; the role provides hands-on experience in collection management.
• Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications. Must have good interpersonal and communication skills and the willingness to work effectively with diverse populations. Ability to work in a collaborative environment, lift up to 50 pounds, exercise initiative, make sound judgments, and respond positively to direction. Ability to remain focused and exercise close attention to detail, demonstrating dependability and punctuality.
• Bonus: Must have own transportation to campus.