Curator [City of Bowie Museums, Bowie, MD]

Description

The City of Bowie is seeking a Museums Curator for our four diverse museum sites:  The Belair Mansion (1745-1955), the Belair Stable (1907), the Old Bowie Welcome Center (1929) and the Bowie Railroad Museum (1913.)  The Museums Divisino works collegially with the Prince George’s County Genealogical Society Library and the National Capital Radio and Television Museum, both of which are housed in buildings owned by the City of Bowie, MD.

The Museums Curator is responsible for curating/managing the museum collections at the four sites above, for maintaining the Museums’ library and research files, and management of the collectionsstored at the Tulip Grove storage facility.

Job Functions:

• Conducts inventory of the collection – permanent, dec. use, and loans (both incoming and outgoing) for all museum sites
• Responds to information requests from staff, scholars and public.
• Organizes and catalogs the Museum Library; maintains research files.
• Observes collection for s igns of deterioration or loss.
• Performs professional museum standard object and area cleaning.
• Procures archival storage/collections care supplies.
• Advises Museums Manager on potential purchase for collections and on maintenance of current collection.
• Facilitates Visitor Services (gift shop, tour admissions, tours) as needed/required.
• Creates, with the Museums Manager, the Museums Collection Plan.
• Monitors and adjusts condition of objects and files in storage and/or on exhibit.
• Reviews insurance/fine arts schedule.
• Works with Museums Manager or alone to build exhibits.Maintains exhibits, both permanent and temporary.
• Participates in planning and implementation of museum programming.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Masters Degree in Collections Management, American History, Art History, American Studies, Museums Studies or related degree.
• Five (5) years’ experience in a historic site or museum in curation/collections management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in PastPerfect Collections Management System is essential.
• Experience in Curation/Collections Management, exhibit building, public outreach, program management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of museums’ standard practies, collections management issues, and software as described.
• Ability to communicate publically both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with general public, public officials, City government departments and protocols, staff and volunteers.

Physical Demands:

Sufficient phuysical condition to perform moderatly heavy lifting, ability to use and operate various items of office related equipment, ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, perform repetitive motion, talk and hear, balance, crawl, crouch, climb, kneel, pu ll, push, l ift, stand, stoop, and walk.  Ability to feel, finger, reach, grasp and handle objects and controls.

Application Deadline:  June 17, 2016, 5:00 pm