How to Be Herbarium Keeper - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 1, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The introduction of invasive species into a natural environment can have a devastating effect on the native species living there. When an invasive species is introduced, it can compete with native species for food and resources, reducing the number of individuals in the native species population. This can cause a decline in the number of individuals in a species, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity and ultimately reducing the health of the species.

invasive species can also act as predators of native species, further reducing their numbers and threatening their ability to survive. Without effective management and control of invasive species, the native species in an environment can be adversely impacted, leading to a reduction in biodiversity and ecological stability.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. You will need a minimum of a bachelor's degree to become a herbarium keeper. Consider majoring in plant science, biology, botany, ecology, or a related field.
Take Courses on Plant Taxonomy. Develop a strong understanding of plant taxonomy so that you can properly identify, classify, and label plants.
Get Experience. Gain experience working with plants by participating in field studies, internships, or volunteer work.
Obtain Certification. Consider obtaining certification as a herbarium keeper from the Plant Science Certification Council.
Develop Expertise in Record Keeping. Develop expertise in record keeping and cataloguing so that you can properly document the plants in the herbarium.
Get a Job. Search for job openings as a herbarium keeper or assistant herbarium keeper at universities, botanical gardens, museums, and other research institutions.

Choosing a reliable and qualified herbarium keeper is essential for a successful collection of plants and flowers. To ensure the safety and accuracy of the herbarium, it is important to find a keeper who has extensive experience and knowledge in the field. A well-trained and experienced herbarium keeper will be able to properly identify plants, properly store specimens, and accurately label them.

they should also be able to provide information on proper care and maintenance of the herbarium. Furthermore, a good herbarium keeper should also be able to provide advice on how to safely collect plants and flowers, as well as how to properly preserve them. All of these factors combine to make a reliable and qualified herbarium keeper an invaluable asset to any plant collection.

You may want to check Housekeeper, Data Keeper, and Bird Keeper for alternative.

Job Description

Maintain herbarium collections, which may include cataloging, labeling and curating specimens
Monitor and control access to herbarium collections
Provide herbarium specimens and information to individuals, museums, universities, and other institutions
Provide taxonomic identification of specimens
Develop and implement strategies for the long-term preservation of herbarium collections
Prepare and supervise volunteers and interns who help in herbarium activities
Train new staff members in herbarium practices
Conduct scientific research on herbarium specimens
Develop and implement outreach programs to promote public understanding of the value of herbarium collections
Prepare grant proposals to secure funding for herbarium activities and research

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of plant taxonomy and botanical nomenclature
Knowledge of plant identification techniques
Familiarity with herbarium curation practices
Ability to use specialized software for cataloging collections
Ability to use digital imaging and imaging software
Knowledge of specimen preservation techniques
Ability to use databases for data storage and retrieval
Ability to conduct research using herbarium collections
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Strong organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Interpersonal skills for working with diverse groups
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 25lbs

The ability to effectively identify and catalog plants is an essential skill for any Herbarium Keeper. A good grasp of botany, knowledge of scientific nomenclature, and familiarity with taxonomic classification systems are all essential for accurately labeling and organizing specimens. since plant collections are often used for research purposes, Herbarium Keepers should have strong organizational and record-keeping skills--including the ability to use electronic databases--to ensure that specimens are properly preserved and documented.

Furthermore, excellent communication skills are important for collaborating with colleagues and sharing information about the plants in the collection. By having these skills, Herbarium Keepers can ensure that plant collections are well-managed, comprehensive, and valuable resources for scientific research.

Farm Keeper, Lodge Keeper, and Gatekeeper are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in Herbarium keeping?
What is your knowledge of botany, plant taxonomy and plant identification?
What techniques do you use to preserve plant specimens?
What experience do you have with data entry and record keeping for Herbarium specimens?
How do you prioritize tasks in busy times?
What experience do you have in providing educational tours and demonstrations?
How do you collaborate with other staff members and researchers?
What methods do you use to organize and store Herbarium specimens?
How do you respond to requests from researchers and the public?
How do you stay current with new developments and trends in Herbarium keeping?

Common Tools in Industry

Database software. A software program used to store and manage large amounts of data. (eg: Microsoft Access)
Plant Identification Guide. A resource used to identify plants by their characteristics. (eg: Peterson Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs)
Herbicide. A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of plants. (eg: Roundup)
Plant Press. A device used to press plants for herbarium specimens. (eg: Jiffy Plant Press)
Microscope. An optical instrument used to magnify objects for study and observation. (eg: Nikon Labophot-2 Microscope)
Camera. A device used to capture still images or video footage. (eg: Canon 5D Mark IV Digital Camera)
Label Maker. A device used to create labels for herbarium specimens. (eg: Dymo LabelManager 160P Portable Label Maker)
GPS Unit. A device used to measure and record the location of a specimen. (eg: Garmin GPSMAP 64s Handheld GPS Unit)
Pruning Shears. A tool used to trim plants. (eg: Fiskars PowerGear2 Pruning Shears)
Herbarium Storage System. A system used to organize and store herbarium specimens. (eg: Herbarium Cabinets)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Botanical Society of America
Botanic Gardens Conservation International
National Association of Exotic Plant Breeders
International Association for Plant Taxonomy
International Society for Plant Pathology
International Society of Arboriculture
North American Native Plant Society
Society for Ecological Restoration
Society of American Foresters

We also have Dairy Keeper, Aquarium Keeper, and Bee Keeper jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Herbarium. A collection of preserved plant specimens, typically arranged and cataloged for scientific study.
Taxonomy. The science of classifying living organisms according to their characteristics.
Botany. The branch of biology that studies plants and their structures, growth, reproduction, and classification.
Systematics. The study of the classification and evolution of plants.
Specimen. A single plant or group of plants that is collected and preserved for scientific study.
Dried Herbarium. A collection of dried plant specimens, typically arranged and cataloged for scientific study.
Herbarium Keeper. Someone who is responsible for maintaining and managing a herbarium collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Herbarium Keeper?

Herbarium Keeper is a digital platform that helps botanists, researchers, and enthusiasts collect and manage plant specimens. It enables users to capture images and other data associated with each plant specimen, document their research, and store the information in a secure online database.

What features does Herbarium Keeper offer?

Herbarium Keeper offers a range of features, including advanced image tagging, geolocation tracking, field notes, and specimen tracking. It also provides a powerful taxonomy search tool, allowing users to quickly find the species they are looking for.

How secure is Herbarium Keeper?

Herbarium Keeper takes security seriously and uses industry-standard encryption and authentication protocols to keep user data safe. All data is stored in a secure cloud server, with backups and regular security audits to ensure the highest level of security.

How easy is it to use Herbarium Keeper?

Herbarium Keeper is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. It has an intuitive user interface and powerful search tools that make it easy to find the specimens youre looking for. It also offers detailed tutorials and online support to help users get the most out of the platform.

Does Herbarium Keeper have a mobile app?

Yes, Herbarium Keeper has a mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The app allows users to access their data and add new specimens while on the go.