Assistant Exhibitions Registrar at The Field Museum
Job Title: Assistant Exhibitions Registrar
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Chicago, IL
About the job
The Field Museum is a not-for-profit museum located on Chicago’s Museum Campus. In the Field’s 125+ year history, which started in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in the “White City,” we have engaged in research on all seven continents, cultivated a collection of over 40 million specimens and objects, engaged with hundreds of thousands of students from Chicago and the surrounding areas, and welcomed millions of visitors to the Museum each year. We accomplish this through the efforts of our dynamic and diverse staff of not only scientists and educators, but also front line staff in Visitor Services and Membership, Protection Services, Facility Planning and Operations, as well as behind the scenes support staff.
The Field Museum (FM) seeks an experienced Assistant Exhibitions Registrar to support a robust program of incoming, traveling, and permanent gallery exhibitions. The Assistant Registrar reports to Exhibitions Registrar, supports the traveling exhibitions program, and works with closely with lenders, Collections, Conservation, and Exhibits Maintenance to ensure the safety of material culture and scientific specimens. Applicants must include a cover letter.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Generate loan agreements and maintain correspondence with lenders for assigned projects
- Coordinate efforts with Field Museum curatorial and scientific departments for the inclusion of collections material in Exhibition projects
- Assist Exhibitions Registrar in preparing artifact-related estimates (shipping, loan fees, courier costs, etc.)
- Assist Associate Exhibitions Registrars with exhibition installation manuals as needed
- Maintain KE EMu records for exhibition projects; ensure accuracy of collections/loan data
- Keep registration files organized and up-to-date as assigned; archive files as assigned
- Contribute to creating detailed artifact installation and de-installation schedules
- Work collaboratively and coordinate teams for installations and de-installations
- Collaborate interdepartmentally to provide exhibit case access to researchers; supervise researchers as needed; supervise contractors
- Manage object-based staff at host venues to ensure proper handling and timely installation
- Create and complete detailed condition reports; ensure compliance with lender requirements
- Perform duties as artifact handler and object transporter as assigned
- In consultation with Exhibitions Registrar, establish and maintain security protocols, working collaboratively with museum security personnel
- With conservators, establish environmental requirements; monitor object conditions and environments onsite and remotely
- Under Exhibitions Registrar’s supervision, arrange logistics, packing, and crating for the safe transport of objects
- Monitor the loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, and movement of exhibition objects
- Serve as a courier
Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree is required
- A minimum of 4 years working in museum registration with experience in exhibition installation and artifact handling is required
- Superior judgment, professional initiative, and attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills and collaborative nature
- Knowledge of database applications (KE EMu)
- Experience working on traveling exhibitions
- Ability to travel domestically up to 4 weeks at a time
- Willingness to work occasional early, late, and weekend
- Comfortable working with a variety of objects including art, artifacts, scientific specimens, and human remains
- Ability to perform physical activities related to working with objects such as stooping, kneeling, lifting, and enduring various temperatures during outdoor loading and unloading; ability to lift 40 lbs
- Ability to maintain a respectful and diplomatic demeanor with colleagues, lenders, and collaborators is critical
- Possess superior judgment, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and initiative
- Excellent communication skills and collaborative nature; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and as part of a team
- Experience working with people/institutions of different cultures, nationalities, and localities
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a calm demeanor and problem-solve creatively and intuitively in a fast-paced environment; flexibility is key
- Familiarity with CITES applications and permits a plus
- Familiarity with federal immunity and indemnity programs a plus
Important Note: In order to protect the health and safety of our employees, guests and their families, the Field Museum is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Requests for exemptions from the vaccine will not be considered as given the nature of this position, we are unable to provide an accommodation for anyone who has not been vaccinated.
To Apply:
The Field Museum is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create a working environment that is free of sexual, racial, and ethnic discrimination, and one that promotes human dignity and mutual respect among all staff. As such, it is the policy of the Field Museum to hire without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
The Field Museum strives to ensure that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all. If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accessibility@fieldmuseum.org.