Associate Collections Manager

The Mariners' Museum; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Vacation

Health insurance contributions

403b retirement match

Job summary

The Mariners' Museum and Park seeks an Associate Collections Manager for a 3-year NEH Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition grant. You will enhance records for Yorktown-related archaeological objects across TMMP and the Virginia DHR, supporting access to primary sources and assisting with stewardship of the combined collections.

This full-time, salary-exempt role offers competitive benefits including health insurance, paid leave, and a 403b match.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in collections care for archaeological objects in a museum.
• Experience with documentation review and management practices for databases and registration.
• Advanced degree in archaeology, history, museum studies, library information or data sciences, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Document and catalog archaeological objects using digital cataloguing systems.
• Verify or correct information in object records, digital and physical, with primary sources.
• Manage loan of objects between DHR and TMMP during the grant period; draft loan agreements.
• Track Yorktown object movement within TMMP’s campus and across collections.
• Oversee partial inventory of DHR’s Yorktown collection.
• Prepare unique physical records for digitization.
• Promote collections management and registration through outreach.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Multitasking

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

Advanced degree in archaeology/history/museum studies/data sciences

Tools

Digital cataloguing systems

Museum databases

Records management

Job description

The Associate Collections Manager is a 3-year grant funded position who assists with implementing a National Endowment for the Humanities Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition project. This position will improve records and documentation for archeological objects related to the Battle of Yorktown selected from the collections of two institutions: The Mariners' Museum and Park (TMMP) and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). The Associate Collections Manager will be fundamental to preserving and improving access to primary source materials related to these collections.

The Mariners' Museum and Park offers an excellent benefits package to include paid sick leave and vacation, generous health insurance contributions, and a 403b retirement match. This is a full-time, salary-exempt position with an annual salary of $55,000.

Candidates must include a cover letter in order to be considered. No phone calls, please – only applicants being considered for interviews will be contacted.

Duties

• Reports directly to TMMP’s Director of Collections Management, and closely collaborates with DHR’s Collections Manager, the project Collections Management Database Administrator, the project Archaeological Conservator, TMMP’s Digital Services department, and other team members from both TMMP and DHR.
• Documents and catalogues archaeological objects using digital cataloguing systems, including cataloguing information and records produced by other staff.
• Verifies or corrects existing information in object records, both digital and physical by working directly with the objects themselves and their associated primary source records.
• Manages the loan of objects from DHR to TMMP and back throughout the grant period. This includes drafting and executing loan agreements and receipts.
• Tracks all Yorktown object movement, including objects from the collections of DHR and TMMP upon entry to TMMP’s campus and within TMMP’s campus.
• Oversees a partial inventory of DHR’s Yorktown collection.
• Prepares unique physical records for digitization.
• Promotes the importance of collections management and registration in an outreach capacity whenever possible.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

The person who will succeed in this role will be able to:

• Exercise good judgment,
• Pay close attention to detail and demonstrate a high level of accuracy,
• Take the initiative when appropriate,
• Be a strategic thinker and proactive problem solver with strong communication and interpersonal skills,
• Be well-organized, have excellent time management skills, and can multitask,
• Thrive in a fast-paced, complex environment, and
• Internalize the culture of respect, empathy, and servant leadership that is central to the TMMP team.

Education and Experience

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

• Education (preferred): advanced degree in archeology, history, museum studies, library information or data sciences, or related field
• Experience (3-5 years of the following):
  • Demonstrated experience with collections care, stewardship, and management of archaeological objects in a museum setting.
  • Demonstrated experience with documentation review and management practices, including a working knowledge of acceptable practices for collection databases and museum registration.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to pass a background and motor vehicle record check prior to employment.
• Applicants must currently possess the capability to work in the United States