Exhibits Project Coordinator at the San Diego Natural History Museum

Job Title: Exhibits Project Coordinator

Job Status: Full-time

Location: San Diego, CA

About the job

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking a highly organized, efficient and collaborative individual for the position of Exhibits Project Coordinator.

The Exhibits Project Coordinator will work with the Director of Experience Design to coordinate and fulfill strategic activities of the Exhibits department; provide an appropriate flow of information from the exhibitions team to stakeholders; prepare and manage exhibit budgets, records, purchasing, timelines and assignments; and participate in various aspects of technical work of exhibits, including physical production and occasional baseline care for live animals on exhibit.

The candidate will have talent and proven success in coordinating teams and producing successful results in a respectful and highly interactive exhibit development process. They will convey a passion for The Nat’s mission and institutional values of collaboration, transparency, integrity, quality, and teamwork.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Works with the Director of Experience Design to coordinate day-to-day and ongoing activities and assignments of the exhibit department, including distribution of exhibit tickets and ongoing tasks.
  • Provides project management on exhibit projects. Develops and manages individual exhibition schedules and circulates schedules to the relevant parties.
  • Develops and manages exhibition budgets working with the Director of Experience Design.
  • Advises on the selection of relevant contractors/consultants for exhibitions, factoring in suitability and cost efficiency for the project. Develops and manages scope of work, service contracts and fee schedule for service contracts (exhibit development, translation, fabrication, evaluation, etc.).
  • Conducts and/or assigns remedial & maintenance tasks to exhibit elements as needed.
  • Participate in Exhibit Department prep work, including installations and breakdown of exhibits. Provides or assigns trained staff to facilitate animal care when the Animal Caretaker is unavailable. Tasks may include handling of animals, and will include feeding and changing water, documenting activity, and light exhibit/terrarium maintenance.
  • Research and maintain appropriate paperwork, certifications and records required for exhibits.
  • Facilitates meetings for cross-departmental exhibition teams.
  • Communicates exhibition plans to Museum staff, Museum administration, collections, public programs and conservation staff, and volunteers.
  • Works with the Director of Exhibition Design and the Vice President of Education & Engagement to plan for future exhibitions in alignment with the Museum’s Strategy Roadmap.
  • Other duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Degree in museum studies, design, interpretation or a related field & demonstrated knowledge/experience with exhibition development, design, evaluation, fabrication and installation practices OR (Minimum of) three (+) years of equivalent work experience.
  • Demonstrated planning and organizational skills to effectively deal with multiple projects, quality control and shifting priorities.
  • Excellent communication and team-building skills.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft products (Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, Word) and project management software (such as Asana).
  • Proven ability to coordinate and motivate a creative staff with diverse responsibilities under constant deadline pressures.
  • Ability to present ideas to a variety of internal and public audiences.
  • Have strong public speaking and written communication skills.
  • Experience and comfort working with hand tools and providing technical work (highly desired).
  • Experience and comfort caring for and handling live animals (highly desired).
  • Bi-lingual (highly desired).

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.

This is a full-time, position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

PAY: $21.92/hr.

TO APPLY:

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter that highlights their interest in the position, and relevant experience and transferable skills that they would bring to the role to hr@sdnhm.org

Review of resumes will begin October, 2022.