Address
Form of workPosition: Collections Specialist
Status: Full-time (not to exceed 40 hours), Hourly
Reports to: Collections & Education Director
To Apply:
Applications must include both a resume and a cover letter. Please package documents as a single file and upload under “Apply with a Resume” on Shaker Village’s employment portal. Please contact rsoules@shakervillageky.org with any questions. Applications will only be reviewed if they are complete and include all requested materials.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (SVPH) is on a mission to inspire generations through DISCOVERY, by sharing the legacies of the Kentucky Shakers. SVPH is committed to bridging historic preservation, land conservation, engaged learning and warm hospitality to present an unrivaled destination experience.
Home to the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill from 1805 until 1923, SVPH manages the country’s largest private collection of original nineteenth-century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky. Onsite amenities at SVPH include overnight accommodations, dining and catering services, retail shops, event and meeting venues, historical exhibitions and tours, farm and garden area, nature preserve, multi-use trail system, equestrian stable and an extensive calendar of special programs, activities and events.
The Collections Department
The Collections Department supports the mission of Shaker Village by thoughtfully preserving the site’s history in order to inspire and inform guests today, and throughout future generations.
The Department is responsible for managing and safeguarding Shaker Village’s permanent collection of 4,800+ three-dimensional artifacts, 3,000+ photographs, 350+ rare books, and 500+ archival materials, as well as an extensive institutional archive documenting SVPH 60+ years as a museum. The Department’s Research Library contains a wide assortment of resources, including a large, non-archival reference collection, microfilm of Shaker archival materials from other sites, and a library of 2,000+ volumes on Kentucky, Shaker, and religious history. Additionally, the Department manages SVPH’s online collections database (https://shakervillageky.pastperfectonline.com/), hosts onsite scholars and provides remote research assistance, and interfaces with the Program Department and other SVPH staff to provide up-to-date, accurate historical information about the Shakers and Pleasant Hill as needed. The Collections Department is also an active partner in planning, installing, and maintaining all SVPH exhibitions.
Collections Specialist Job Summary
The Collections Specialist will assist the Collections & Education Director with the thoughtful care and stewardship of SVPH’s collections. Their primary responsibility will be managing day-to-day aspects of collections management, according to the policies and procedures in SVPH’s Collections Management Policy and under the oversight of the Collections & Education Director. This includes cataloging new accessions or found-in-collection materials, photographing and scanning items, rehousing and updating items’ location, and providing preventive conservation care and cleaning for items both in storage and on exhibit. The Collections Specialist will also take an active role in other departmental projects and activities, such as supervising visiting scholars’ and SVPH research fellows’ access to the collections, answering remote research inquiries, conducting research for new exhibits and programs, and leading special, collections-based programming run by the department.
Responsibilitiesand Duties
- Manage SVPH’s permanent collection in a manner that maintains clear, consistent documentation of all items in the collection. Use both digital and physical records to track, store, and locate all collections items at any time, updating these records to improve consistency and historical accuracy as needed.
- Update records in SVPH’s PastPerfect database, with a particular emphasis on adding photographs, scans, and other additional information that can be shared with the public via PastPerfect Online.
- Perform preventive conservation care of collections in storage and on exhibit. This includes light cleaning in the BIB (collections storage facility/office); checking and recording of temperature and RH sensors throughout SVPH; dusting and cleaning of artifacts on exhibit; and general monitoring of artifacts (completing condition assessments as needed).
- Take an active role in collections storage reorganization. This includes moving artifacts both within the BIB and from other locations; moving and assembling shelving; packing artifacts in boxes or rehousing on shelves; building custom storage boxes or mounts; updating artifact locations; and handling all collections according to museum best practices.
- Work jointly with the Collections & Education Director to expand upon the policies and procedures currently included in SVPH’s Collections Management Policy, documenting standard collections procedures in a new procedures manual.
- Respond to scholarly requests from external researchers and organizations in a timely manner, including responsible access to the archival collection, genealogical research, scans of historical material and photos, and use requests for any publicly exhibited or published material, keeping the Collections & Education Director informed as needed.
- Serve as the Collections Department liaison to other SVPH departments as assigned, particularly the Program Department. Use knowledge of the collection and archives to assist and support internal research by other members of the SVPH staff for the development of public programs, workshops, and exhibitions.
- Assist with departmental projects as directed by the Collections & Education Director.
Skills and Qualifications
- Knowledge and understanding of ethical collections management principles and practices, including:
- Accessioning/deaccessioning
- Updating catalog records
- Conducting a collections inventory
- Photographing/scanning materials
- Rehousing items in museum-grade storage
- Safely moving, storing, and exhibiting materials
- General conservation guidelines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to professionally and effectively communicate with supervisor, other SVPH staff, and SVPH guests.
- Ability to work collaboratively within the Collections Department and with other SVPH departments as needed.
- Have a positive "can-do" attitude and the capability to implement fresh approaches or new processes.
- Ability to complete projects and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to follow through on commitments; self-motivated, taking initiative and comfortable working independently.
- Shows flexibility and creativity in support of all Shaker Village activities.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in public history, museum studies, or other relevant field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Must have at least 1-2 years’ relevant experience working with collections.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products and collections management software (PastPerfect preferred).
- Optional/preferred: Experience with operating a DSLR camera and photographing collections.
- Optional/preferred: Experience with basic conservation practices and performing preventive conservation.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to maintain visual attention for considerable lengths of time. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.
- Ability to sit and stand for considerable lengths of time.
- Must be able to ascend and descend stairs on a frequent basis.
- Ability to operate computers and general office equipment.
- Must be able to write by hand in pencil/pen legibly and neatly.
- Regularly lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. and lift and/or move heavier loads as needed.
- Regular access to a personal vehicle and valid drivers license.
Working Environment and Conditions
- This position involves working in both indoor and outdoor environments, during all seasons and types of weather conditions.
- This position may work non-traditional hours at times, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- This position is subject to a background check and drug testing.
