Insect Collection Assistant (Temporary, Hourly) at Colorado State University — Fort Collins, CO

Job Description

Position Summary

Temporary hourly position to assist with updating and maintaining the Department of Agricultural Biology’s insect teaching collection. The employee will review specimens to ensure correct taxonomic placement (family level), remove or replace damaged specimens, and help improve collection organization and quality for instructional use. The position involves approximately 50 total hours of work.

Full Consideration Date

July 3rd, 2026

Essential Job Duties

• Review insect specimens in the teaching collection to ensure correct placement at the family level; reorganize specimens as needed and remove severely damaged materials.
• Replace damaged or missing specimens using material from student collections; handle, sort, and prepare specimens for integration into the teaching collection.
• Track which common insect families are underrepresented and document collection needs; label specimens with family-level labels as time permits.

Conditions of Employment

This temporary hourly position requires the ability to work on-site at the CSU Fort Collins campus, primarily within the Nutrien and Hartshorn buildings, as the work involves direct handling of physical insect specimens and collection materials. The employee must be able to carefully handle delicate specimens and perform detail-oriented tasks for extended periods. A background check will be required prior to final offer in accordance with university policy. Work hours are flexible within standard business hours and will not exceed the agreed-upon total hours for the appointment.

Supervision

The employee will work under the general supervision of faculty within the Department of Agricultural Biology. Tasks and priorities will be clearly defined at the outset, and the employee will be expected to work independently on specimen review, organization, and documentation with minimal day-to-day oversight. Periodic check-ins will ensure progress, address questions, and confirm adherence to collection standards and project goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Coursework in entomology, biology, or a related field
• Basic familiarity with insect morphology and taxonomy (family-level recognition)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to handle delicate specimens carefully
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with insect collections or museum specimens
• Prior coursework in insect systematics or taxonomy
• Experience identifying insects to family level
• Experience with specimen curation, labeling, or collection management

Application Instructions

Provide a 1-page cover letter and resume speaking to your qualifications.

Salary Range

$20 / hr

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.