Collections Assistant, Special Projects

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC Museum of Anthropology seeks a Collections Assistant, Special Projects to support a storage upgrade in MOA's visible gallery. You will help with cleaning, object tracking, documentation, and equipment upkeep under the Conservator's direction.

The role requires related experience, strong record-keeping, and teamwork in a university museum setting, with attention to safety and procedure compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives and equity, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Deinstalling collections from exhibit cases and recording placements with accuracy.
• Performing object tracking across MOA collections spaces.
• Following established cleaning procedures for all materials.
• Documenting actions including cleaning, mounting or rehousing.
• Updating the project database.
• Liaising with collections and conservation staff for locations in preparation for case deinstallation.

Skills

Object handling

Records management

Data entry

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Practical training in collections management

Tools

Collections management system

Job description

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Collections Assistant, Special Projects

Department

Collections Care and Case Contamination Project | Museum of Anthropology | Faculty of Arts

Compensation Range

$28.90 - $31.63 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date

September 25, 2026

Job End Date

November 30, 2027

There are 4 vacancies for this position.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Collections Assistant, Special Project is a temporary, full-time position within the Collections Care, Management and Access Department at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA), working under the direction of the Conservator. Working as part of a team, the position will assist with a collections storage upgrade project, focusing on MOA's visible storage gallery. Responsibilities will include: implementing established cleaning protocols; conducting object tracking; completing condition documentation including activity photography; and maintaining personal protective equipment.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Conservator and works closely with the Collections Care Management and Access Department staff.

Work Performed

This position carries out a variety tasks related to the Collections special project including:

• Deinstalling collections from exhibit cases in MOA's multiversity galleries, including maintaining accurate records of object placement, case hardware, exhibit labels and mounts.
• Performing consistent and precise object tracking between MOA collections spaces.
• Assessing all collections and materials types and following the appropriate and established cleaning procedures.
• Documenting all actions, including cleaning, mounting or rehousing.
• Cleaning exhibit casework following established procedures.
• Updating project database.
• Identifying and reporting data inconsistencies or gaps to senior staff for review.
• Performing sample collection and preparation for analysis as required.
• Maintaining clean, organized workspaces and equipment, including restocking supplies, managing laboratory laundry, and notifying supervisors of inventory requirements.
• Following all MOA safe work procedures and UBC Health and Safety guidelines.
• Fabricating handling supports.
• Liaise with collections and conservation staff for collections locations in preparation for case deinstallation.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Museum is a public trustee of rare and valuable collections; the Collections and Conservation Assistant is responsible for the safe keeping of both public and private collections, and for ensuring that the records associated with these collections are maintained. Errors could have financial, legal, ethical and other consequences for lenders and for the University.

Supervision Received

The position reports to the Conservator.

Performance is judged by results (see Consequences of Error above) and in accordance with established procedures but exercising judgement in establishing priorities and carrying tasks is expected.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Education / Experience

Practical training in collections management processes, or equivalent practical experience. Awareness and sensitivity to issues concerning collections originating from First Nations and other communities is required, as well as experience in working with the public and the university community.

Skills / Knowledge

• A demonstrated competency making housing systems for museum collections or demonstrated hand skills.
• Awareness and sensitivity to issues concerning collections originating from First Nations and other originating communities.
• Knowledge of MOA's collections is preferred.
• Experience entering data in a collections management system.
• Basic knowledge of professional conservation ethics and material culture is desirable.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. (e.g., lifting, standing, working at heights).
• Ability to accurately create and maintain records.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively coordinate tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement while handling confidential or sensitive i