Collections Manager at Maine Maritime Museum

Maine Archives and Museums; Bath (ME); On-site; USD 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine, seeks a full-time Collections Manager to oversee and enhance access to collections.

The role emphasizes the care and documentation of a diverse range of collections, requiring a strong background in history and collections management. The position offers a salary range of $50,000–$57,000 annually with full benefits.

Applicants should have a degree in history or related field and relevant museum experience.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of related museum experience required.
• Working knowledge of maritime and/or New England history.
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Maintain records of all permanent collections.
• Manage collections development and processes.
• Supervise volunteers and interns.

Skills

Collections management

Project management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

History knowledge

Education

Undergraduate degree in history, art history, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PastPerfect or collections management software

Job description

Collections Manager at Maine Maritime Museum

Maine Maritime Museum is an independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to connecting people to the past, present, and future of Maine’s waterways and their global reach. We are committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Joining our team on the banks of the Kennebec River, you will help care for and provide access to our collections, supporting initiatives that enhance engagement with our holdings.

Position Summary

The Collections Manager enacts the museum’s mission by caring for, preserving, and providing access to collections, and supporting initiatives that enhance engagement with its holdings. Reporting to the Curator of Collections, this role manages and preserves wide-ranging collections in adherence to established stewardship standards.

Specific Duties

• Maintain records of all permanent collections including paper documents, image documentation, and database records in all formats.
• Manage collections development, including identification of potential acquisitions and coordinating deaccessioning and disposal.
• Process incoming collections, including documentation, proper cataloging, and location assignments.
• Design and manage targeted collections projects in line with departmental strategic objectives.
• Implement preservation procedures through appropriate handling, storage, and access management, environmental data review, and arrangement for direct care of collections.
• Oversee physical control of collections through appropriate storage, inventory, and movement tracking.
• Coordinate the documentation and transport of incoming and outgoing loans.
• Facilitate use of collections in exhibits and interpretive programming through research and collections surveys.
• Provide collections and library access to researchers, scholars, students, and other groups.
• Process reference and reproduction requests.
• Supervise volunteers and interns.
• Support curatorial outreach through content development for museum programs and publications.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in history, art history, American studies, or a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of related museum experience.
• Working knowledge of maritime and/or New England history.
• Experience managing, cataloging, and handling diverse collections, including archival materials.
• Familiarity with PastPerfect or other collections management software.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Terms & How to Apply

The Collections Manager is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with full benefits, located in Bath, Maine. Salary range is $50,000–$57,000 per year. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to [e-mail].

This position is subject to sex offender and criminal background checks. Maine Maritime Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, protected genetic information, status as a parent, marital status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.