Assistant Museum Curator

Open: Feb. 26th, 2024

Close: March 11th, 2024

Assistant Museum Curator

(Full-Time)

General Purpose
Under general direction, coordinates and oversees assigned Museum programs. Works with a small team and performs duties related to collections management, exhibits, events, and scheduling. Manages the routine registration, preservation, and display of the Museum’s collection. Coordinates with the public, donors, and members for public-facing Museum operations, programs and events, research requests, collections inquiries, and Museum tours. The Assistant Curator has the opportunity to support and/or oversee a variety of Museum operations, depending upon skills and experience.

This is a professional-level museum classification responsible for coordinating assigned program(s), reporting to the Museum Director/Curator. Positions at this level require highly specialized knowledge, abilities, skills, and experience, and often exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties. Work is performed within a broad framework of general policies, allowing for considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches, requiring creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish goals and objectives. The employee exercises authority over assignments and makes decisions required to complete the work.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

• Assists with the Museum collections management program; accessions, catalogs, houses, and preserves Museum artifacts. Maintains accurate records, databases, and inventories of materials in storage, on display, and on loan.
• Provide support to the Curator for the permanent collection acquisitions process, including correspondence with donors and accessions/deaccessions research.
• Sets goals for assigned program area(s); reviews, recommends, and updates program policies.
• Participates in exhibit research, planning, and implementation for both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
• Works with staff and volunteers to support public operations of the Museum, including opening and closing the building; communicating visitation information in person and on the phone; and processing gift shop, and donation transactions through point-of-sale software.
• Works closely with the Director/Curator on the development, implementation, and presentation of educational programs, including, but not limited to, developing public programs and school programs; conducts tours for school and community groups.
• Develop and implement other museum-related activities.
• Collaborates with the Director/ Curator on fundraising efforts, including grant applications, donations, and fundraising events.
• Assists with directing and supervising volunteers and interns in program area(s).
• Responds to collections inquiries and research requests; performs research in response to requests for historical information.
• Foster and maintain good communications and working relationships with donors, collectors; and local/national/international colleagues, including museums, galleries, academics, and others.
• Answers questions and distributes Museum information in person, on the phone, and through email communications. Occasionally assists with social media, marketing, and advertisements.
• May act on behalf of the Museum Director /Curator in their absence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education and Experience

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in history, museum studies, anthropology, or related field,

OR

Experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

2. Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Professional Museum collections management best practices; creation and fabrication of exhibits; museum software, databases, and data management; proper tools and supplies for care of collections objects, documents, and photographs; historical research techniques and resources; general office practices and organization, museum programs and their relationship to community needs.

Ability to: Work well independently and as part of a team; learn new technologies and new information; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including speaking publicly; prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; be flexible and exercise problem-solving skills; demonstrate advanced organizational skills and strong attention to detail; represent the museum professionally; perform research on historical topics; operate a variety of museum-related and office equipment, including computer, digital camera, printer, telephone, photocopier, recording hydro thermograph, exhibit fabrication tools, artifact care instruments, and small hand tools; and work irregular hours including evenings and weekends, when required.

3. Special Qualification:

At least one year of full-time experience, work, or volunteer, in museums and/or museum collections, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities in museum practices.

Experience with museum databases, such as Past Perfect, is desired though not required.

4. Work Environment

Incumbent of the position performs physical skills and work requirements: Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort involving prolonged sitting, walking, or moving from one area of the museum campus to another, and standing for periods. Requires the ability to climb ladders or step stools, bend, or stoop to pick up and move objects or containers, push, or pull carts, and move boxes and materials of considerable weight from one location to another; sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements such as filing, data entry, use of standard office and computer equipment, 40 hours per week, and other tasks related to collections care; ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer