Collections Assistant

State-of-South-Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia seeks a dependable Collections Assistant to support the Collections Manager in caring for the gallery and storage collections. This temporary hourly role involves handling objects, packing for storage, and aiding with movement for research or display.

You will monitor pests as part of IPM, conduct spot inventories, update EMU database records, and assist with condition reporting and exhibit installs. A basic museum-oriented education is preferred.

Qualifications

• Elementary knowledge of handling objects in a Museum setting.
• Preferred applicant: individuals pursuing a degree directly related to Museum work.
• Comfortable with insects and small snakes/lizards may be required.

Responsibilities

• Handling a variety of objects and packing objects for storage.
• Assisting with object movement for research, display, etc.
• Regular monitoring of pests as part of our IPM system.
• Conducting spot inventories and updating records in EMu, our database system.
• Condition reporting objects and loans; escorting contractors and maintenance staff; assisting with exhibit installs and deinstallations.

Skills

Object handling

Attention to detail

Pest monitoring

Record keeping

Physical stamina

Ladder safety

Education

Pursuing museum-related degree

Tools

EMu database

Job description

Are you looking to be part of an innovative team of professionals dedicated to telling South Carolina's diverse stories? As the storytellers of South Carolina, the South Carolina State Museum (SCSM) strives to share the rich natural and cultural diversity of the state through its permanent collections, programs, and exhibitions. The SCSM is the largest museum in South Carolina, stewarding over 1.1 million objects and specimens and welcoming 5 million+ visitors over its 37-year history. The museum has embarked on a renovation of 150,000 square feet of its exhibition, programmatic and collection storage spaces occupying four floors of a historic 1890s textile mill on the National Register of Historic Places. Come be a part of our team “reimagining” what the South Carolina State Museum can be for our next generation of visitors, students, and scholars.

The South Carolina State Museum is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Collections Assistant to assist our Collections Manager in the physical care of the collection. From this temporary hourly employment, the incumbent will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience:

Primary responsibilities:

• Handling a variety of objects and packing objects for storage
• Assisting with object movement for research, display, etc.
• Regular monitoring of pests as part of our IPM system
• Conducting spot inventories and updating records in Emu, our database system

Secondary responsibilities:

• Condition reporting objects and loans
• Cleaning exhibit areas, including specimens and artifacts
• Escorting contractors and maintenance staff in secured spaces
• Assisting Collections Management staff in exhibit installs and deinstallations

• Strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable with insects and small snakes/lizards.
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of times
• Must be able to reach all areas of the Museum, including on 14’ ladders as needed.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs.
• Must be able to work in dirty, dusty, and/or poorly lit conditions
• Able to handle collections safely and securely, including manual dexterity to handle fragile objects like textiles and paper

• Elementary knowledge of handling objects in a Museum setting.
• Preferred applicant: Individuals interested in or currently pursuing a degree directly related to Museum work.