Curatorial Assistant at the American Philosophical Society

Description

The Curatorial Assistant acts as the primary contact person for the Museum. S/he/they provides primary administrative support for all facets of the Museum department with additional support to the Associate Director of the Museum, and serves as interface and point person with other departments of the Society.

Duties include:

• Administrative
  • Works with Associate Director of the Museum and the Librarian’s Assistant to prepare and maintain program budgets.
  • Monitor department expenses. Process check requests, expense reimbursements, and petty cash. Reconcile Museum financial accounts with APS Financial Department.
  • Handle routine administrative tasks such as correspondence (including messages to general museum email account), phone calls, and mail. Monitor and order departmental supplies.
  • Assist with production of Reports
  • Other departmental duties as assigned
• Exhibition and Collection Related Work
  • Be part of collaborative exhibition building team, and willingness to do routine, sometimes manual tasks needed in exhibition work.
  • Assist in the install/de-install of exhibitions.
  • Assist with database maintenance and updates (PastPerfect and Mimsy)
  • Coordinate and format labels (Adobe Creative Suite) for exhibitions. Produce in-house signage when requested.
  • Perform research, fact checking, and/or copy editing as requested, for interpretive materials, brochures, PR, and other written copy.
  • Help organize exhibition and program images, respond to requests for images, and assist in securing image permissions and obtaining other financial authorizations. Help create, organize, and/or maintain document and image files.
  • Provide assistance for the preparation or implementation of public programs.
  • Help create, organize, and/or maintain document and image files.
  • Maintain press clippings and help in organizing exhibition and program images; handle PR image requests.
  • Keep inventory of exhibition furniture and frames and maintain exhibition supply needs throughout the year.
  • Assist with collection research and collection research requests
  • Other exhibition and collection duties as assigned
      

This is a full-time, onsite position with benefits. The Society offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, life insurance, long term disability, 403b with the employer match, and paid days off.

Salary: Full-time, exempt, $42,500

Requirements

Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to interact with public and staff at all levels; able to prioritize work and maintain total confidentiality; self-motivation and the ability to work independently; able to be flexible, calm and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment; strong writer and editor.

Education: BA or BS in humanities-based field, preferably with cross-disciplinary interest or experience.

Knowledge Requirements: Background in history (particularly arts and science) useful; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) essential; knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and facility in using social media in an institutional setting highly preferred.  Knowledge of databases (e.g., PastPerfect, FileMaker) useful. Knowledge of WordPress or basic HTML useful.

Experience: 1-2 years administrative experience preferred, preferably in a non-profit cultural institution.