Collections Specialist [EcoTarium, Worcester, MA]

Description

Effective Date:  January 2016

Reports To: Manager, Exhibits and Collections

Status:  Hourly/Non-Exempt, 15 hours per week

Position Summary:
The Collections Specialist is responsible for helping to improve collection care and management, at the EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature.  This individual would be responsible for aspects covering registration and collections management. The job would involve work in dusty conditions and would require the ability to lift and move collections objects of various sizes.  The Museum’s collections house a very diverse range of materials including: natural history specimens, rocks and minerals, books and scrap books, glass lantern slides, technology, and ethnographic materials. Some specimens date back to the early years of the Museum, which was founded in 1825. The Museum’s collections include items of considerable scientific interest, beauty and historical value, as well as other items with no provenance or exhibit potential. We have not been actively adding to the collection, except for occasional exceptional items.

Responsibilities:

This position would be in charge of managing physical and intellectual control of the collection.  The position will assist with implementing best practices in collections care, overseeing volunteer inventorying projects, routine housekeeping and pest control in collections storage areas, re-housing selected objects, and monitoring environmental conditions.  The Collections Specialist will maintain collections records and work towards longer term reconciliation of collections records.

The Collections Specialist will help develop, and revise collections policies, play a key role on the Museum’s Collections Committee, assist with thoughtful de-accessioning and disposal of selected items, preservation and re-housing of collections to be retained, and long range planning for collections we plan to keep and long term storage. As part of this, the Collections Specialist will help develop proposals for grant funding to improve the storage, access and use of collections at the EcoTarium.

Essential Functions

• Regular inspection/monitoring of collections storage areas and collections on exhibit
• Routine housekeeping in collections storage areas
• Implementation of an integrated pest management program
• Conduct high-priority preventative care measures for collection materials
• Help staff identify and access collections for exhibit and programmatic needs
• Identify and work with outside specialists and consultants, as necessary
• Review, help update, and implement improved collections policies
• Assist in implementation of the Museum’s 2016-2017 Collections Inventorying grant.
• Help plan and manage inventory and cataloging efforts
• Purchase and manage the inventory of supplies
• Serve on the Museum’s Collections Committee
• Manage and train volunteers
• Maintain collections object files
• Process loan, donation and transfer paperwork
• Answer research requests
• Assist with maintaining the Museum’s institutional archives
• Other duties as required

Non-Essential Functions

• Work with other members of the Exhibit team on brainstorming and developing future exhibit plans involving collections
• Help improve collections displays in the museum
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of related work experience, preferably in a natural history museum.
• Experience in collections care and conservation for a wide range of materials as noted above
• Knowledge of current best practices in museum collections management
• Experience with museum collections management data base software, Knowledge of PastPerfect a plus
• Knowledge of proper paper file management for 3D collections records, Archival experience a plus
• A genuine interest in natural history, background in working with natural history specimens and basic knowledge of natural history classification preferred
• Professional demeanor with the public and with other staff
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the exhibit team
• Proven ability to manage and train volunteers
• Ability to do physical labor, including climb a 7 foot ladder, lift 80lbs., reach overhead, push and pull objects and to work in cramped, dirty or awkward spaces, including crawling or kneeling.
• Ability to wear a respirator, no existing dust allergies
• Experience handling delicate collections materials and ability to work safely with specimens that may have been preserved with toxic materials
• Previous work experience with loan and donation paperwork as a primary or assisting role at another institution.
• Highly organized.
• Knowledge of proper routine cleaning procedures a plus.
• A valid driver’s license
• Pass a CORI background check according to EcoTarium guidelines

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and names of three references to the contact information below.