Curatorial Assistant II

Posting date: May 08, 2026

External Reference: 002750SR

• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Boston
• School/Unit: Harvard University Central Administration
• Salary Grade: 051
• Job Function: Museum
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Term Appointment: No
• Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Join a dynamic team of curators committed to the collections at Harvard University’s tree museum. Steeped in history, 152 years of records and objects are ready for discovery, stewardship, and development.

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants. Founded in 1872 and designed by America's first landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, and the Arboretum's first director, Charles Sprague Sargent, the 281-acre Arboretum is an historic landmark and one of the best preserved of Olmsted's landscapes. A unique blend of beloved public landscape and respected research institution, the Arboretum provides and supports world-class research, horticulture, and education programs that foster the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of woody plants. Along with a horticultural library and herbarium encompassing some 1.5 million dried plant specimens, the Arboretum comprises one of the largest and best documented woody plant collections in the world, with over 16,000 living plants. To learn more about the Arnold Arboretum, please visit: www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Curatorial Assistant conducts curatorial tasks in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants, inventories plants in the living collections, and supports other plant records and curatorial initiatives under the supervision of the Manager of Plant Records.

• Herbarium of Cultivated Plants - The Curatorial Assistant supports in the care and maintains specimens (over 120,000) in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants and Dried Emerging Leaves Collection of the Arnold Arboretum, located in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. This includes all duties associated with adding to the collection: gathering and mounting new vouchers; label preparation; databasing, barcoding, and digitization; and insertion. They scout for and repair damaged specimens; maintain organization and order of all specimens, including all sorting/refilling tasks; maintain a pest-free environment by using hygienic practices, monitor for pest infestations, and maintain rotational freezing and silica refresh schedules of specimens. They assist visitors and scholars in their use of the collection, which includes digitization and loans of specimens. They transport and/or ship specimens and supplies to and from the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH) in Cambridge, Massachusetts as needed.
• Living Collections Inventory - The Curatorial Assistant assists with the annual inventory of plants in permanent collections and Dana Greenhouse and nursery. They assist in the production of accurate plant inventories of all plants through frequent and thorough review, and maintenance of records in the institutional plant collections database, BG-BASE. In addition to plant inventories, they aid in the production/maintenance of records and display labels, and at peak times of demand, may assist with accessioning and other related tasks.
• Other Duties as Assigned - The Curatorial Assistant performs other duties, including data entry, records review/audits, and conducts special curatorial projects related to the Arnold Arboretum’s living collections and plant records archives. They serve as a key informational resource to other staff, visiting scholars, students, and the public.

This is a 100% on-site position, 35 hours/week, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to conduct work outdoors in a variety of weather scenarios and plant collections.
• Must not be squeamish around insects.
• Must be able to drive an Arboretum vehicle from site to site when necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to walk and stand for up to three hours at a time in indoor and outdoor conditions.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role).

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in a related field.
• The ability to drive Arboretum vehicles in the landscape.
• Must be able to conduct inventories of outdoor/indoor plant collections and collect herbarium vouchers during all months of the year.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree with course work in botany, horticulture, or a related field preferred.
• Work experience in plant records/curation at a public garden, as well as an herbarium, preferred.
• The preferred candidate is self-motivated, communicates effectively, can multitask, works independently as well as collaboratively, and applies critical thinking and curiosity to solve problems.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and RMV Check for valid drivers license.
• Other Information: This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 051. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.