Curator of Historical Collections [Maine State Museum, Augusta, ME]

Description

Museum Specialist III – Curator of Historical Collections

The Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine seeks to hire a Museum Specialist III – Curator of Historical Collections. This is professional curatorial work in the Maine State Museum’s History Division. It will be concerned with conceiving and refining exhibit themes as part of a team process; researching and developing exhibits; helping enhance the museum’s permanent collections through refining the purposes of collection development and the seeking and ‘telling’ of personal and community histories through objects; overseeing such routine collection processes as acquisition, documentation, loan review, deaccession, conservation, and proper storage; and participating in normal administrative duties such as attending policy, oversight and planning meetings, contributing to policy and planning reviews, and generally representing the museum and assisting in its advancement.

RESPONSIBLE COLLECTION AREAS:

This curator may be responsible for history collections such as domestic use items, toys, tools, transportation items, personal possessions, industrial, military, technological, and recreational objects, and related archival materials, as housed or exhibited in the Maine State Museum, Maine State House, and Blaine House. Special personal knowledge about or interest in certain collection areas may help guide responsibilities.

For additional information and application instructions, see the State of Maine’s web page at http://www.maine.gov/fps/opportunities/ and select the job title: Museum Specialist III – Curator of Historical Collections. Applications must be received or postmarked by February 5, 2016.

Requirements

General Demonstrable Requirements:

• Four (4) years’ experience in a museum curatorial position or equivalent and a Master’s Degree from an appropriately accredited institution in Museum Studies, American Studies, American History, or other related special fields of study or specialization.  Directly equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Demonstrable understanding of history and museum fields and related curatorial responsibilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong knowledge of history of artifacts in areas of specialization.

Specific Required Skills:

• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office products.
• Proficiency in use of computerized relational artifact database (e.g. PastPerfect, Proficio) or current equivalent.
• Working knowledge of image-editing software (e.g. Photoshop) or current equivalent.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite or current equivalent.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to independently and safely move collection items weighing up to 50 lbs., and sufficient mobility to discharge normal curatorial duties including exhibit installation with our without accommodation.

Necessary General Professional Knowledge:

• Knowledge of current research methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of current standards for the care of museum collections.
• Knowledge of current standards for exhibit development, preparation and display.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret historical and typological data.

Necessary Personal Traits:

• Sound organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent follow-through in pursuing or completing tasks and assignments.
• Ability to work well with co-workers and volunteers.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and effectively.
• Ability to work efficiently and productively in a sometimes high-stress environment.
• Ability to speak well before groups on behalf of the museum.
• Proven ability to sustain excellent relationships with colleagues, other museum professionals, Commission members, legislators, and other such persons as would be valuable to the museum and the museum’s relationships with the public.
• Proven ability to support institutional activities with loyalty and professional discretion.

Highly Desirable Accomplishments:

• Successful grant applications and other fundraising experience.
• Experience in project-based collaborations.
• Community outreach experience.
• Prior exhibit development experience.