Collections Move Technician

Milwaukee Public Museum; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) Employer Match

Free Museum Membership

Parking Subsidy/Bus Pass

Job summary

Milwaukee Public Museum is seeking one temporary, part-time Collections Move Technician to assist in transferring its 4 million-item collection to a new building.

Work will occur primarily at the Milwaukee Public Museum with possible offsite storage or new-site duties as needed. The role requires standing, bending, lifting, and repetitive movements, with a Monday–Thursday schedule from 8:30 to 3:30 for about one year.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Museum Studies or related field, in-progress welcome.
• Experience with museum collections is preferred or documented history of collections work.
• A degree may be substituted by documented collections experience.

Responsibilities

• Handle and move museum objects safely.
• Transcribe object labels and generate digital records.
• Create, tie, and attach barcodes to objects; photograph items as required.
• Pre-pack and tape packaging materials; build crates for storage/transport.
• Operate pallet jack and move crates; use museum collections database EMu.

Skills

Fine dexterity

Detail oriented

3D-spatial reasoning

Independent & team worker

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Museum Studies

Tools

EMu

Excel

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Milwaukee Public Museum - Milwaukee, WI 53233Salary Range: $15.45 HourlyMPM is seeking 1 temporary, part-time Collections Move Technician to support the museum’s goal of moving its 4 million object collection to a new building. This position will operate within the Cultural Sciences but may be asked to assist with projects across all collections. This technician will work collaboratively under the supervision of the museum’s Collections Move Project Assistant. Initial work will focus on work in the History collections. In addition to these tasks, future projects may include preparing and packing anthropological material and assisting with natural science projects on an as-needed basis.

While most of the work will be done at MPM, some work may be done at an offsite storage location or at the site of the new museum.

This position will require consistent standing, bending, and lifting throughout the day and tasks that require repetitive movements for long periods of time.

The schedule for the position is Monday through Thursday from 8:30 – 3:30, and the position will run for approximately 1 year with the possibility for extension. To perform this job successfully, ideal candidates will be expected to complete the following duties:

• Safely handle and manipulate museum objects
• Read and transcribe identifying numbers from object labels, catalog books, and catalog cards
• Swiftly generate digital records from transcribed data into a spreadsheet
• Create, tie, and attach barcodes to museum objects
• Photograph objects and drawers of objects as required
• Critically assess object stability and material makeup, pre-packing
• PCK and unpack various types of objects safely and securely
• Fabricate basic packing supports out of archival materials
• Construct crates and other large scale packing material
• Operate a standard pallet jack to move packed crates
• Perform basic operations within the museum’s collections database, EMu
• Other move-related collections duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience:

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Museum Studies or a related field (complete or in-progress), along with past experience with museum collections. A documented history of collections experience may be substituted for a formal degree.

Competencies:

• Comfortable undertaking fine dexterity work and handling delicate materials
• Ability to complete repetitive tasks consistently, while maintaining accuracy, safety, and integrity
• Detail oriented, with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to wear PPE appropriate to the tasks assigned
• Strongly developed 3D-spatial reasoning skills
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team
• The ability to use a ladder, and spend much of the day standing, bending, and lifting
• Familiarity with Microsoft products, with specific experience in Excel
• Proficient typing skills

Benefits:

• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off package
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Free Museum Membership
• Museum Shop, Food & Beverage Discounts
• Parking Subsidy/Discounted Bus Pass

The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM)The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is a natural and human history museum located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The museum is among the oldest in the United States, with a history dating back to the 1850’s. We offer great career opportunities for people with all levels of training, experience, and education. We are a composition of diverse and talented staff working together as a team to offer our visitors the best possible immersive experience in learning and enjoyment.

A career with the Milwaukee Public Museum allows you to connect your skills and abilities in a rewarding position with a non-profit organization doing good work in our community. MPM provides an unlimited opportunity to gain knowledge about our world, as you connect with visitors, donors, innovative staff members, curious students, interns and volunteers in your day-to-day-work. See what MPM has to offer and consider applying today!

The Milwaukee Public Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.