Museum Technician [Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe, MI]

Description

BASIC PURPOSE OF POSITION

As a member of the Collections team performs duties related to the care, preservation and safe access of Ford House historic collections and objects from private and institutional lenders according to professional museum standards. Ensures visitor areas are clean, open and ready for visitors and that offices, restrooms and other assigned areas are cleaned and maintained according to Ford House standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Care and Preservation

• Monitors and mitigates potential risks to collections from temperature, humidity, pests, light, security and theft, breakage, pollutants, etc. in accordance with the Ford House Preventive Conservation Program.
• Handles and moves collections and loans according to museum standards and the Ford House Handling Manual.
• Performs preservation cleaning and conservation treatments of collections and built interiors according to museum standards.
• Prepares, builds and maintains customized storage solutions for collections to ensure their safe storage.

Safe Access

• Facilitates safe access to collections for visitors, researchers, staff, contractors and others in an effort to prevent and minimize damage to collections including:
  • Installing and monitoring temporary exhibits and permanent displays;
  • Digitizing (scanning/photographing) collections to increase access; and
  • Handling and moving collections as needed.
  • Cleans and prepares restrooms and other public spaces to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of visitors; maintains cleanliness in other assigned areas (offices, staff restrooms, meeting rooms, storage areas, etc.).
  • Assists in providing access to conservators and contractors and helps to ensure proper collection management procedures are followed.
  • Provides guidance and direction to members of other departments regarding the proper procedures for accessing and moving collection items.
  • Assists in the training and orientation of new staff, interns, and volunteers.

Exhibits

• Assists in processing loans according to museum standards including receiving, packing and unpacking, inventorying and preparing condition reports.
• Assists in installing and de-installing exhibits including building and maintaining customized display solutions and monitoring.
• Monitors and maintains exhibits to ensure safety of loans and exceptional visitor experiences.

Documentation

• Records all changes to collections according to museum standards including documenting movement, condition, damage, conservation information and utilizing digital/computer and written reports and logs.
• Performs inventories and cataloging of collections as necessary.
• Organizes and maintains supplies.
• Maintains equipment.

Requirements

TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in collection handling and exhibit preparation in a museum, art gallery, historic site or similar organization
• General knowledge of best practices and professional standards for managing collections within a museum or art gallery
• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively—both orally and in writing—to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, visitors, vendors, and others in the work place, and to work cooperatively and productively as a member of a team.
• Ability to produce correspondence, spreadsheets and reports using Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Familiarity with PastPerfect is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently, use good judgment, and effectively apply knowledge and experience in solving problems as they arise.
• Ability to operate electronic equipment such as camera and scanners.
• Ability to properly operate and maintain power tools. Carpentry experience is desired.
• Must be able to exert force of up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Additional physical demands include:
  • Frequent: seeing, stooping, reaching, handling, fingering, walking, smelling, and climbing.
  • Occasional: kneeling, crawling, talking, hearing, crouching, and working from heights.