Description

Summary:  In accordance with the Museum’s Mission Statement, policies and procedures, the Collections Manager is responsible for the intake of new acquisitions, processing, maintenance and display of the Museum’s collections and archives and assisting the Director of Collections & Exhibitions in special projects and assignments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential duties and responsibilities of the position are outlined below.  Other duties may be assigned.

•  Assist in the overall care of the collection and archives through documentation, data management, storage, research, inventory, maintenance and preservation
• Implement the Museum's Collections Policy, Collection Procedures, Collection Development Plan, Risk Management and Emergency Planning for collection
• Prepare, execute and track legal contracts and paperwork related to Museum acquisitions, purchases, accessions, de-accessions and loans. Identify objects and prepare reports for Board Accession on a bi-annual basis.
• Lead the intake of and process new acquisitions. Assign new acquisitions to appropriate registration staff.
• Research and assign insurance values to objects in the collection
• Lead the cataloging and digitization of collections. Maintain object records in PastPerfect
• Member of Acquisition Committee. Voting on possible acquisitions, liaison between business office and committee, liaison with private parties, processing required paperwork, and making shipping arrangements
• Assist Director of Collections and Exhibitions with implementing and monitoring the budget for collections care
• Assist Director of Collections and Exhibitions with documentation and preparation for the annual collections audit
• Field and answer inquiries from the general public and staff, including access to collections, donations, reference/research questions, correspondence, general inquires and authentication/appraisal requests
• Supervise incoming and outgoing loan requests
• Lead collection tours, as required
• Provide transportation of original artwork to outside vendors including for photography, scanning and conservation
• Participate as a member of the exhibition development and installation team, advise on the inclusion of objects and proper display mounts. Perform installation of objects, including, but not limited to, object installation and handling, painting, and graphics
• Assist with provenance and historical research related to collections/exhibition themes
• As requested by the Director of Collections & Exhibitions, work on special projects in collections and archives, including research, culling and processing found in collection items
• Courier original artwork internationally and domestically, as needed
• Provide support to the registration team in their daily work, including but not limited to: copyright research, image requests, pulling objects, condition reporting.
• Conduct and maintain periodic physical inventory of museum collections
• Review object condition, availability and insurance values for Traveling Exhibitions 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises two Registrars and two Archive staff, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Museum's employee handbook, policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling employees to ensure adequate staffing; appraising employee performance; addressing employee complaints and resolving problems.

Requirements

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Education and Training:

Any combination of course work, training and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the skills and abilities listed.  Normally, academic course work in library and information science, archival studies, art history, museum studies, history, or closely related courses would provide such an opportunity. Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or related field is preferred.  Five or more years work experience in a related archival discipline including management experience is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Broad knowledge of museum standards and practices
• Experience with collections management software, PastPerfect preferred.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs, Adobe, and Internet.
• Knowledge of file and data management techniques used in museum registration and record keeping
• Ability to work with limited supervision, to plan projects independently and bring them to conclusion on a timely basis
• Ability to develop and manage budgets
• Solid working knowledge of the principles of archival practices.
• Knowledge of file and data management techniques used in museum registration and record keeping.
• Be a self-starter with flexibility and a willingness to get the job done
• Work occasional evenings or weekends
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable level of personal auto insurance
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and reports.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of people.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse environment
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  
   

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

frequently required to sit, talk, hear
frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, keyboard and mouse
occasionally required to stand; walk, sit, squat, kneel, crouch and reach with hands and arms.
regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
frequently required to us close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
occasionally required to drive and/or use employee provided transportation
occasionally use hand tools, sanders, grinders, matt cutters
 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to dust, fumes, noise, odors, low light and temperatures above or below the standard range of office temperatures.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be occasionally noisy during exhibition construction projects.