Collections Manager and Museum of the Aleutians Association
Job Title: Collections Manager
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Unalaska, AK
Salary: $50,000 – $60,000
Description
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for carrying out the mission and policies of the Museum through management of departmental activities, including the proper storage, conservation, handling and documentation of the Museum’s collections, volunteers, planning and communication, developing grants, providing information services, assistance with exhibit development.
GOALS:
- To provide proper care and maintenance of MOTA collections and promote public awareness of, and understanding of, the rich cultural heritage and history of the Aleutian Islands region.
- To engage the public by providing access to collections in new and innovative ways.
- Enhance credibility of MOTA through development and cultivation of professional contacts.
DUTIES:
- Directs the management and conservation of the Museum’s collections of archaeological, ethnographic, historic and art objects, including accessioning, data management, computerization, specimen preparation, storage, research, inventory, maintenance and preservation.
- Administers implementation of Collection and Acquisition Policies of the Museum. Develops grants for collections management, conservation, and Museum-wide projects.
- Administers collection transactions such as loans, donations and exchange.
- Provides information services to the general public and staff, including access to collections, correspondence, identification services and general queries.
- Plans, develops, and writes exhibit scripts, installs the temporary exhibit program and assists with development and maintenance of the permanent exhibits.
- Enhances the credibility of the Museum through development and cultivation of professional contacts.
- Maintains contacts with Museum volunteers.
- Assists with education programs.
- Assists with visitor services as needed.
- Works effectively as part of the Museum staff, ensuring that objectives of the Museum are achieved.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduate Degree in Anthropology, History, Museum Studies or other field directly related to the Museum’s Mission.
Work Experience: A minimum of five years’ experience in Museum work and/or with collections.
Skills/Abilities:
- Broad knowledge of Museum standards and best practices.
- Specialized knowledge in at least one or more area of the Museum’s collections, including the organization, arrangement, and nomenclature of specimens and objects.
- Ability to work with limited supervision, to plan projects independently, and bring them to conclusion on a timely basis.
- Knowledge of file and data management techniques used in Museum registration and record keeping.
- Working knowledge and experience with PastPerfect collections software.
- Ability to develop and maintain exhibit areas.
- Ability to enhance Museum’s mission and reputation through research, interpretation, and educational outreach programs.
- Experience with and knowledge of Aleutian Islands heritage, history, art, and culture is a plus.
- Experience with field archaeology is a plus.
- Experience in word processing, database management, adobe creative suites, google doc.
- Exceptional communication skills, including written, verbal and numerical.
- Ability to interact positively with federal, state, city agencies, volunteers, tour groups, public schools, and organizations.
- Ability to resolve a conflict in a positive manner.
- Must adhere to appropriate standards of conduct and ethics, including confidentiality, integrity and honesty; exhibit ability to adapt to changing work environments, cooperate and work respectfully with others, regularly attend and participate in meetings as required.
- Must be able to lift, push, pull or physically maneuver a minimum of fifty pounds.
- Must be able to work flexible hours as needed, lead tours and other programs as necessary.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check.