Collections Student

The Corporation of the County of Lambton; Oil Springs; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local municipal organization in Oil Springs, Ontario is seeking a Summer Student for the Collections role. This position involves documenting and preserving the Museum's artifacts by photographing them, updating the collections database, and creating social media content. Ideal candidates should be enrolled in a history or material culture program and possess skills in photography and database management. The position offers a wage of $19.60 per hour for 35 hours per week, starting January 19, 2026, and ending February 1, 2026.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be currently enrolled as a returning student in the upcoming school year.

Responsibilities

• Assist in documenting and preserving the Museum's artifact collection.
• Produce high-quality photographs of artifacts meeting museum standards.
• Conduct basic inventory and update collections database records.
• Create a series of social media posts based on collection items.

Skills

Working with electronic databases

Knowledge of local/oil history

Experience handling artifacts

Photography knowledge and/or experience

Education

Currently enrolled in a history or material culture program

Job description

Division: Cultural Services

Job Status: Summer Student
Number of Positions: 1
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Wages: $19.60 per hour
Posting Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Closing Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Company Biography

The County of Lambton is an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario that is home to over 126,000 residents. The Corporation's seven divisions operate programs and services for the residents of Lambton County such as land ambulance, provincial offences court, three Long-Term Care Homes, 25 library branches, two museums, an art gallery, archives, local roadways, public health services, housing services, social services, building services and planning and development services. Lambton County is a community dedicated to economic growth, environmental stewardship and an enhanced quality of life through the provision of responsive and efficient services and collaborative efforts with its municipal and community partners.

Position Summary

The Collections Summer Student plays a vital role in documenting and preserving the Museum’s artifact collection. Under the direction of the Curator/Supervisor, Oil Museum of Canada the student assists the Museum Collections Coordinator, Oil Museum of Canada to develop collections documentation records by photographing artifacts from the collection, as well as updating/maintaining the collections database. The Collections Summer Student will also create 3D images of select objects and conduct research for various uses such as social media posts and newsletter articles.

Artifact Photography

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality photographs of artifacts, meeting established standards for museum photography of artifacts.
• Link images onto records in the collections database.
• Create 3D photographs of selected artifacts.
• Ensure all photographs are added to the museum’s digital files.

Database Updates

• Conduct basic inventory and update collection database records as necessary.
• Attach photographs to collections database records.
• Amend collections database records with additional details about the artifacts if appropriate.
• Update condition report for all photographed items.

Social Media

• Create a series of social media posts based on items from the collection.

General

• Incumbents must keep up-to-date on all relevant legislation, collective bargaining agreements, County Policies and Procedures, etc. ensuring that these are implemented as prescribed.
• Incumbents must possess the physical ability to meet the duties and responsibilities of the job description and/or the requirements identified within the position's Physical Demands Analysis.

These describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this classification. They are not an exhaustive list of all job duties in the classification. Other duties may be assigned.

Supervision Requirements

• Direct Supervision: Not applicable
• Indirect Supervision: Not applicable
• Functional Authority: Not applicable

Credentials Required

Minimum Formal Education

• Currently enrolled in a history or material culture program at university or college.
• Must be a returning student in upcoming school year.

Experience

• Working with electronic databases would be an asset.
• Knowledge of local/oil history is an asset.
• Experience handling Artifacts is an asset.
• Photography knowledge and/or experience an asset.

Candidates must meet Young Canada Works (YCW) eligibility requirements. To be eligible you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada.
• be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment.
• have finished the school term at the start of employment.
• meet the specific eligibility criteria of the program to which you apply.
• be registered in the Young Canada Works (YCW) online candidate inventory.
• be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment.
• not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with YCW.
• have been a full-time student (as defined by his or her educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW job.
• intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job.

Note: Non-Canadian students or graduates holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible.