Title: Manager of Exhibitions and Collections
Division: Exhibits
Classification: Salaried/regular full-time Reports To: Director of Programs
Supervises: Volunteers

High Desert Museum – Organization Description
The High Desert Museum is a non-profit organization focused on the biotic and cultural elements of the High Desert region of the Western United States. Located near Bend, Oregon, on the edge of the beautiful Deschutes National Forest, the Museum melds the natural history of diverse habitat types with human history of the environment into a unique blend of indoor and outdoor exhibits, living history and both living and historic collections.

Job Summary – Manager of Exhibitions and Collections
This position plays a key role in facilitating the production and installation of temporary and permanent exhibitions within a dynamic team of curators and exhibit design professionals. Furthermore, they are responsible for the management of the Museum’s collection, library and archives. The Manager of Exhibits and Collections oversees all phases of temporary and permanent exhibit production and the delivery of exhibit related concepts to the general public. The successful candidate will have strong organizational skills and a team-oriented perspective and work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary museum. A positive demeanor, high level of professionalism and the ability to learn new skills quickly are essential traits. We look at each candidate in terms of combined skills; different combinations of skills can serve to qualify for the position.

Qualifications

  • MA in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Natural History or U.S. Western History preferred; or BA with Liberal Arts background with two years’ experience in museum collections and exhibit development.
  • Knowledge of material culture theory.
  • Knowledge of and demonstrated skill in collections management databases (PastPerfect preferred) and MS Office suite.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of professional museum practices and standards, including registration methods, object loans, safe object handling, conservation, packing and shipping, proper storage, security measures and object numbering techniques.
  • Experience in collections management procedures: accessioning, retrieval, attributions, documentation, proper storage and handling techniques.
  • Ability to implement strategic collections management plans and acquisition policies.
  • Implement and adhere to Collections Management policy.
  • Ability to manage and train volunteers and interns.
  • Knowledge of and experience with museum display and exhibition techniques and standards.
  • Ability to set and meet deadlines, manage projects, exhibit installations and planning.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently. Proven ability to work as part of a team, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with fellow employees, volunteers and general public.

Responsibilities and Tasks

  1. Manages schedules and budgets for temporary and permanent exhibits.
  2. Contributes curatorial content to exhibits and exhibit related programming.
  3. Maintains objects and materials in accordance with artifact collections management policy and strategic collections plan.
  4. Actively assists in long-range collections development.
  5. Maintains collections database records and standards.
  6. Initiates grants and other funding sources to assist in ongoing collections maintenance.
  7. Oversees the processing of objects and materials into the collections and library.
  8. Responsible for overseeing of environmental quality of collections and exhibits.
  9. Responsible for disaster planning for museum collections.
  10. Oversees research related to collections.
  11. Responsible for monitoring of security of collections.
  12. Responsible for preparation of objects for exhibition or loans.
  13. Directs and trains support staff, interns and volunteers.
  14. Prepares and monitors annual budget for collections, exhibits and library.
  15. Provides conservation guidelines for exhibitions and oversees and actively assists in installation.
  16. Complies with all Museum policies, procedures and safety regulations.
  17. Performs other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor.

Please send resume and cover letter to the High Desert Museum, attention Shannon Campbell.
scampbell@highdesertmuseum.org
http://highdesertmuseum.org/job-opportunities

Please reference museum-employment.com when applying for this job.