Assistant Registrar of Acquisitions Spurlock Museum University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Spurlock Museum seeks a colleague with a talent for research and organization, a love of world cultures, and a passion for sharing their work with the public. We value a strong commitment to ethical practices in cultural heritage management, creative thinking, and enthusiasm for collaborative work. The successful candidate will enjoy working in an environment that promotes innovation and experimentation. The Assistant Registrar will have the opportunity to assist in the development of the Museum’s new collecting plan, determine new methods for increasing the accessibility of the collection, and work collaboratively with staff and stakeholders to engage the University and broader community with the collection.

The Assistant Registrar of Acquisitions aids the Registrar in facilitating the growth and refinement of the Museum’s collection and preserves and manages information relating to the collections. Additionally, the Assistant Registrar of Acquisitions contributes to the preservation and conservation of the collections and manages and facilitates access to the collections for educational, scientific, and scholarly purposes.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage acquisitions, incoming loans, outgoing loans, and deaccession of Museum collections.
    • Research new acquisitions and evaluate their significance and relevance based on strategic planning goals, museum policy and collecting plan.
    • Organize, document, and conduct Acquisition Committee meetings and implement Committee decisions.
    • Ensure legal compliance with local, state, federal and international laws, treaties, and conventions relating to acquisition and use of collections.
    • Write and edit forms, contracts and museum policy.
    • Improve paper and electronic record keeping systems including databases.
    • Supervise student workers, volunteers, interns and practicum students by conducting the following tasks: hiring, training, assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, approving time, and setting work schedules. 
  • Facilitate access to collections and information.
  • Contribute to social media initiatives.
     
  • Resolve accessioning and cataloguing problems.
     
  • Catalogue, organize and maintain the Museum Library Collection.
     
  • Other duties as assigned and mutually agreed upon in support of the Museum’s mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
     
  • One year of experience (paid, volunteer, or internship) working in a museum, cultural institution, archive, or cultural center.

Preferred:

  • Coursework or demonstrable knowledge of cultural studies, museum studies, history, art, archaeology, library sciences, classics, or other subject areas related to the Museum’s collections
     
  • Three years of experience (paid, volunteer, or internship) working in a museum, cultural institution, archive, or cultural center
     
  • Two years working with historically under-served populations
     
  • Two years interacting and corresponding with donors
     
  • Two years negotiating and executing contracts
     
  • Minimum of one year of supervisory experience overseeing the work of volunteers, students, and interns

Successful candidates will have:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
     
  • Knowledge of legal statutes, standards, and best practices in drafting and executing contract
     
  • Knowledge of standards and best practices in cataloging, care, and management of museum collections
     
  • Knowledge of museum industry trends, standards, and best practices

SALARY AND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time Civil Service Program Coordinator position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Starting salary for this position will be between $35,000-$40,000 per year depending on experience and qualifications.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by June 3, 2019. To apply for this position, create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. If you already have a profile, you will be redirected to that existing profile via email notification. To complete the application process:

Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application.

Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.

Step 3) Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), academic credentials (unofficial transcripts or diploma may be acceptable), names/contact information for three references, and a statement of museum philosophy no more than one page in length. This statement should address the role and significance of museums as well as your interest in pursuing a career in the cultural sector.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position at https://jobs.illinois.edu. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.  For further information about this specific position, please contact Karen Flesher at kflesher@illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.