Collections Cataloguer

Description:
Title: Collections Cataloguer
Department: Collections, with dotted line to Head Registrar
(Cross Departmental Access to Collection Project with Registrar, Collections and Archives)
Reports to: Assistant Curator
Status: Full-time/project-based

Overview
The Collections Cataloguer will support a cross-departmental team working to catalogue the museum’s historic collection as part of the “Access to the Collection” project. The goal of the Collection Cataloguing Project is to populate the electronic collections management system, Embark, with fully-researched and professional-standard data on the collection. This database will serve as the central depository of curatorial information and related documentation on the collection, and will support the museum’s public-focused activities.

The Collections Cataloguer is a member of to the Collection Cataloguing Project Team consisting of a Project Manager (Head Registrar), Cataloguing Lead (Assistant Curator), and Associate Cataloguer (the Collections Administrator). The Collections Cataloguer performs research using publications, primary source archival materials, various online resources as well as museum records to create tombstone data plus limited bibliographic and provenance information for the collection and reference image. She/he also performs follow-up data entry directly into the collection management database (Embark) and provides general support to the cataloguing team. S/he also works closely with the Registration department to perform registration records research with the goal of reconciling accession numbering and related historic object data for the objects being catalogued. S/he will report to the project Cataloguing Lead who is responsible for ensuring quality of record content, and will attend team meetings with the Project Manager, who works closely with the team on overall project direction, goals and coordination within a larger framework of museum-wide digital initiatives.

Responsibilities
• Under daily supervision of the Cataloguing Lead (Assistant Curator) provide cataloguing research, data entry, and support towards the goal of creating a full and current electronic database of the museum’s core collection.
• Conduct research using archival, registration and curatorial records, primary and secondary sources as well as online scholarly resources and tools in order to produce catalogue data for collection objects.
• Perform data-entry in the museum’s electronic collections management system; Embark.
• Identify and flag objects researched during project work in need of attention and follow-up by the team.
• Pay close attention to detail with regard to data entry and research documentation.
• Work collaboratively as a team member, and keep within set timeline for deliverables.
• Provide administrative support to the cataloguing team to enable the museum to achieve the project’s goal.

Qualifications:
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in art history required. Master’s Degree or progress towards a postgraduate degree in art history, or a related field preferred; reading knowledge of foreign languages preferred but not required.
• Prior experience of a similar project within a museum would be helpful.
• Strong research and analytical skills; attention to detail; sound judgment.
• Ability to meet deadlines and a willingness to learn.
• Strong computer skills required; basic knowledge of collections management systems and image manipulation preferred, but training will be provided.
• Respect of confidentiality of sensitive collection and museum data is a must.
How To Apply:
To Apply:
Join our dedicated, talented team of employees, interns and volunteers, who are passionate about the work they do to support the Museum’s mission. To apply for this position, please use the Museum’s online application system, this is our preferred application method: https://isgm.applicantpro.com/jobs/238925.html. Both a cover letter and resume are required.

The Gardner Museum is committed to affording equal opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disabilities, marital status or sexual orientation. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The Museum is proud to embrace the goals of Commonwealth Compact (http://www.umb.edu/commonwealth_compact/about) and pledges to measure its progress toward those goals over time, using the Commonwealth Compact benchmarks.

We receive many resumes and kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.

Apply by:
July 31, 2015