Description

TEMPORARY June 2016 through December 2018

 

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is dedicated to sharing the richness of Texas history and culture through exhibition, films, and innovative programs. As the state’s official history museum, the Bullock Museum celebrates the diversity of Texas’ people and landscape to engage a statewide audience seeking to find relevance and connections — to see their stories reflected in the state’s history. An accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums, the Bullock Museum welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually and maintains over 40,000 square feet of gallery space. The Bullock Museum is a division of the State Preservation Board; a prestigious state agency that preserves, restores and maintains the State Capitol, the Texas Governor’s Mansion, and other Texas landmarks; operates the Bullock Texas State History Museum and Texas State Cemetery for the benefit of all Texans.

The Bullock Museum is poised to reconstruct its entire first floor Texas History Gallery with an opening scheduled for September 2018. The centerpiece of the 9,260 square foot gallery is the French ship La Belle. Sunk in 1686 off the Texas coast and found in 1995, La Belle is the most comprehensive historical find on early European settlement in North America. The new installation will begin with pre-historic American Indian artifacts that provide a snapshot of the region before the arrival of the Spanish and French, and an examination of cultures and historic events up to 1821. The renovation of the gallery will feature rare artifacts and multimedia experiences and transform the Museum into one of the most significant history museums in the country.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Exhibition Curator reports to the Bullock Museum’s Deputy Director and is responsible for content development for the first floor renovation project, specifically conducting artifact-based research including but not limited to identifying potential lenders for collections, images, works of art, textiles, and documents. This position requires a familiarity with American history prior to 1821, extensive primary source artifact research experience, exceptional skills writing for museum audiences, and experience developing high-quality, successful exhibitions. The successful candidate will exemplify leadership and tact working with external advisors, designers, and curatorial teams; possess strong copyediting skills for text panels, interactives, and digital media. Must work closely with the Museum’s Associate Director of Exhibition Production, digital media staff, technicians, registrars, educators, and graphic designers. The Exhibitions Curator must be able to lead exhibition planning meetings, coordinate and oversee project milestones, and work with the Deputy Director on short-term and long-range planning related to the exhibition. The Exhibitions Curator must coordinate the project schedules for exhibition development and production in partnership with the contractors, working independently and collaboratively with limited supervision.

This position is expected to demonstrate sound independent judgment as an agency representative; able to focus, stay organized, and set priorities working through multiple projects and tasks. Must display excellent verbal and written communications skills and maintain a professional, respectful, and service-oriented focus when interacting with other employees, visitors, and vendors. Performs all other duties as assigned. *Must be able to work the agency’s 360 day schedule and may include weekends, evenings, and/or holidays, including on short notice.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

For purposes of this agency’s job descriptions, “essential job duties” are defined as assigned tasks that are critical or fundamental to the position and not marginal. If an individual is qualified to perform the essential job duties, he or she must be able to perform the essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Develops relevant and innovative exhibition interpretive concepts and content that reflect the Museum’s mission as being engaging for a wide audience and a leading source of information.
  • Identifies  the  most  significant  and  interesting  artifacts  for  the  First  Floor  exhibition,  continually  seeking  the  best individual and grouped examples. Researches the provenance of artifacts to ensure accuracy in all interpretations.
  • Uses audience?based interpretative writing methodologies that accurately illuminate the artifacts and lead to the most engaging and meaningful visitor experiences.
  • Serves as primary contact for project lenders, building relationships with new and existing lenders, while maintaining a high level of lender trust and confidence in the Museum’s stewardship of artifacts. Develops a global circle of lenders that include state agencies, institutions, and individuals.
  • Represents the Museum and builds relationships with content specialists, historians, advisors and curators, cultivating new contacts and maintaining collaborations with existing partners.
  • Manages the project by tracking schedules, including deadlines and milestones with stakeholders, and participates in short?term and long?range planning, keeping the Director and Deputy Director informed of all of developments.
  • Demonstrates effective time?management handling competing demands, demonstrating resourcefulness and timely resolution of issues to meet project milestones.
  • Displays effective interpersonal skills in communicating with co?workers and visitors, and excellent record?keeping abilities.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Museum’s mission, programs, exhibitions and audiences.
  • Complies with all applicable safety rules, regulations, and standards. Adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
  • Regular attendance is an essential job duty for all SPB positions.
  • Performs all duties in a manner that promotes public confidence in the SPB and its staff.
  • Performs all duties as assigned.

VETERANS:

Military Occupational Specialty Codes (MOS):8640 Requirements Manager, 86M0 Ops Mgmt, 80-86 Misc Req MOS

Veterans  with  other  related  MOS  or  additional  duties  pertaining  to  the  minimum  experience  requirements  may  meet  the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply.

 

EEO Statement:

The State Preservation Board is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants without regard to national origin, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or Veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA), if you require reasonable accommodation in the interview and selection process, please call the agency’s ADA Coordinator at (512) 475-4992.

 

Selection Information:

At the time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. All males who are age 18 through 25 and are required to register with the Selective Service may be asked to present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.

The State Preservation Board uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.   To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate for this position must bea college graduate with a Master’s degree in museum studies, history, museum education, public history, or a related field plus five (5)years of museum experience in exhibition planning/development. Additional three (3) years related experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. Applicant’s prior work experience must demonstrate accurate use of primary research materials, excellent writing and verbal skills, comprehensive analysis of complex historical concepts, and project management using Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook. Applicant must have proven track record leading projects that exemplify a contemporary understanding of 21st century museum interpretation methodologies which balance contentexpertise and visitor relevance and approachability. Writing samples may be required.

 

PREFERRED   QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal applicant will possess a Master’sdegree in museum studies, history, public history, or a related field plus seven (7) years of applicable museum experience in exhibition research and interpretive development. Experience researching artifacts and writing from multiple perspectives preferred. Experience desired demonstrates a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of diverse audiences and contemporary relevance. Three (3) years supervisory experience with interns and researchers preferred. Bilingual skills in Spanish and English preferred.

Job Information
  • Austin, Texas, 78701, United States
  • 28676145
  • May 23, 2016
  • Exhibition Curator
  • Bullock Museum
  • Exhibitions
  • No
  • Temporary
  • 1-2 Years
  • Master’s Degree
  • 3-5 Years
  • 10-25%
  • $54,000.00 – $62,400.00 (Yearly Salary)