Applications Programmer 3 (7300U) Berkeley Natural History Museums, #86735

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Departmental Overview

The Berkeley Natural History Museums consortium (BNHM, listed OBNUM) is a multi-departmental, multidisciplinary unit that maximizes expertise and resources in information technology and database informatics across UC Berkeley research collections. The BNHM focuses on the cyberinfrastructure needs of the primary campus natural history research collections, specifically the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ), UC Museum of Paleontology (UCMP), Essig Museum of Entomology (EME), UC & Jepson Herbaria (UCJeps), UC Botanical Garden, and collaborates with the Berkeley Reserves. Together, these museums serve many hundreds of faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduates, and post-doctoral fellows across UC Berkeley campus and globally every year. For the last two decades, BNHM cyberinfrastructure and its informatics team have provided a wide range of online and behind-the-scenes services for this community, from database management to websites and web services (see full list at https://bnhm.berkeley.edu/informatics/services).

Position Summary

The Applications Programmer 3 holds a critical and multifaceted position primarily responsible for the administration and comprehensive management of the database systems that are foundational to the operation and integrity of the BNHM's extensive collection management systems ( e.g. Arctos Collection Management System). This role includes both simple maintenance to encompass the full lifecycle management of associated applications, rigorous data management and partitioning , and maintenance of the VLDB database design and architecture.

The incumbent will work in close, collaborative coordination with a diverse team of BNHM professionals, including software engineers, system administrators, and, most notably, the curators and collection managers across all BNHM departments. A core responsibility is ensuring all data, applications, and portal interfaces strictly adhere to established global metadata standards for museum science, informatics, and web administration, thereby guaranteeing data accessibility, interoperability, and long-term preservation.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 6/25/2026

Responsibilities

• Database System Administration: Plans, designs, develop, modify, debugs, deploys and evaluates complex VLDB database design and architecture, including expertise in performance tuning, security management, backup, and recovery of the core collections database infrastructure (e.g., SQL-based systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.).
• Application Management: Administering, customizing, and supporting the Arctos Collection Management System used by BNHM staff for collection record creation, editing, and management. This includes managing collection-based permissions, business logic layer design, implementing updates, and troubleshooting application-level issues. Performs complex data analysis and tests / debugs complex software, especially multitenant data partitioning in a virtual database environment.
• Data Quality and Integrity: Implementing and enforcing strict data governance policies, performing routine data audits, cleaning and migration tasks, and developing tools to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of all collection records in alignment with international standards (e.g., Darwin Core, Dublin Core).
• Standard Compliance: Serving as the BNHM's expert on global metadata standards relevant to biodiversity and natural history data, ensuring institutional compliance, and contributing to the development of best practices within the institution.
• Online Portal Development and Maintenance: Managing the public-facing and internal web interfaces that provide access to the collections data. This includes coordinating with web development teams to implement new features, facilitating optimal user experience (UX), and maintaining system uptime and security.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced skills with VLDB database design and architecture, including schema design, normalization, data and ER modeling, data partitioning, business logic layer design
• Demonstrated skills in Data management such as Data collection and ingestion, Data governance, security, and privacy, Data integrity and obfuscation, and Data ETL (Extract Transform Load) and reporting
• Knowledge of Database security, monitoring and maintenance, including row-level security implementation, backup and recovery, streaming replication, performance tuning.
• Knowledge or experience with Natural history and cultural collection data and its metadata standards, including Authorities (taxonomy, geography, localities, agents), Georeferencing, Data exchange with external data aggregators (e.g. GenBank, MorphoSource, WoRMS, GlobalNames, GeoLocate), Projects, publications and citations, Object tracking, Media file and metadata management.
• Thorough experience working with Operating Systems (Linux, Unix); Relational Database Management Systems (PostgreSQL, MySQL); Cloud Storage (e.g.,AWS S3); Database Management and Monitoring Tools (PG extensions, PgAdmin)
• Demonstrated ability to interface with management and programming team on a regular basis.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute technical narrative to grant proposals.
• Experience working with programming Languages and Standards, specifically Query and procedural (SQL, PL/pgSQL); Programming and scripting (CFML, Perl, C, JavaScript, Java, Shell); Mark-up and standards (HTML, XML, JSON)
• Experience with planning for deployment and creation of feedback mechanisms.
• Demonstrated software repository skills.
• Demonstrated testing and test planning skills. Programming and software development life cycle.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
• Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team.
• Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated broad problem solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the Arctos collection management system

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 annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 - $130,000.00 (full-time equivalent).

• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.
• This is a part-time (20 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This recruitment has 1 opening.
• 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 eligible for up to 100% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.

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.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.