Registrar [Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA]

Description

The Oakland Museum of California values are fundamental to our institutional culture and guide our work together.

Excellence: We are committed to excellence and working at the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Community: We believe everyone should feel welcome and part of our community, both within the Museum and with our visitors and neighbors.

Innovation: We embrace innovation and calculated risk-taking to achieve our mission.

Commitment: Our work at the Museum demonstrates a sense of purpose and a shared accountability for the institution’s success.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Registrar implements professional museum practices to acquire, document, maintain, and preserve Museum collections, and to maintain the Museum collection records and collection management systems.  The position oversees risk management for incoming and outgoing loans and leads collection projects involving the acquisition, registration, preservation, display, exhibition and storage of Museum collections. The Registrar may coordinate exhibition and gallery rotation projects as appropriate. This position has a collections storage emphasis and requires work both at the Museum and at a collections storage facility. This Registrar coordinates NAGRPA compliance and access.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collections Care

• Document and maintain museum collections, including legal documents, catalog information and digital imaging
• Maintain museum collection storage and oversee packing and movement of collections between museum and offsite storage
• Track collections and risk management
• Document incoming and outgoing loans, shipping, insurance and condition reporting
• Coordinate collection access for Curators, researchers, and the public
• Work closely with conservation and preparation staff to coordinate collections activities such as gallery rotations or exhibitions, rehousing and inventory projects, collections transportation and packing, and collections grant activities
• Maintain collections management system and keep current on digitization practices in the museum field
• Participate in collection management policy review and ensure implementation throughout the museum
• Maintain NAGPRA compliance and access
• Lead Assistant and Associate Registrars in collections projects

Exhibition

• Collaborate regarding installation and security requirements for objects on loan in exhibitions
• Lead Assistant and Associate Registrars in exhibition projects
• Coordinate correspondence with lenders, shippers, venues, etc. for museum exhibitions
• Work with conservation staff to review condition and make recommendations for objects on loan for exhibitions
• Work with conservators on a variety of exhibition issues including environment, display, mounting, pest control and artifact processing in preparation for exhibition

Registration

• Participate in physical access of storage, collections, gallery access and installation
• Maintain records of monetary value of collection objects for insurance purposes
• Assess risk to collections
• Maintain traditional and digital collection records
• Provide information from collection records to stakeholders as needed
• Responsible for record, accession, and maintain inventory of all artifacts and specimens
• Scan and photograph prioritized collection materials, integrate images and data, perform data clean up, and update collections records with academic and educational content
• Conduct research; keep abreast of collection management principles and procedures in the profession
• Participate in Museum Collections Information Systems selection, implementation and maintenance
• Research and implement artifact preservation, storage, safe handling, and transportation techniques
• Assess and mitigate risk to exhibitions

Administration

• Participate in the enforcement and education of staff in collections policies and procedures
• In coordination with key staff, participate in general collections activities including loans/insurance/acquisitions
• Review, create, manage and disseminate legal contracts related to incoming loans, insurance, travelling exhibitions, changing exhibitions, and risk management

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A combination of experience and education that demonstrates possession of the necessary knowledge and abilities for this position is required as noted:

• B.A. degree in related field required
• M.A. degree in related field preferred
• 6-8 years related experience required
• 2 + years supervisory experience preferred
• NAGPRA and CSpace experience preferred

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to perform all related functions of Associate Registrar
• Ability to participate on and lead cross-functional project teams and act as liaison between centers
• Manage timelines and budgets
• Collect, interpret, analyze and communicate complex data and information
• Ability to communicate professional museum standards and ensure staff adherence to those standards
• Supervise and coordinate work in specialized areas of registration including emergency response
• Proficient in preventive conservation standards
• Ability to commute between multiple museum locations
• Advanced knowledge of collections management software, digital standards for collections, insurance and risk management practice, and legal issues surrounding museum collections
• Valid CA drivers license
• Valid U.S. Passport

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to the following:

• Noise, such as groups of people working in enclosed areas
• Typical office environment
• International courier duties may apply
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds
• Ability to work standing/walking for extended periods
• Ability to work at multiple sites

EEO STATEMENT

The Oakland Museum of California is a multicultural organization, committed to diversity and practicing equal opportunity employment in recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for open positions.