Collections Move Technician - Exhibit Preparation

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 Package

401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer

Free Museum Membership

Museum Shop, Food, & Beverage Discount

Parking Subsidy/Discounted Bus Pass

Job summary

The Milwaukee Public Museum is seeking two temporary, part-time Collections Move Technicians to support moving its four million-object collection to a new building. Work will focus on deinstalling current exhibits and preparing objects for permanent display, with collaboration across conservation and preparator staff.

Most work is onsite at MPM, with potential offsite storage or new-site tasks. Responsibilities include handling objects safely, documenting condition, photographing items, and

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience writing condition reports and undertaking object photography is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safely handle and manipulate museum objects
• Remove dust, grime, and lightly clean objects under supervision from the museum’s conservator
• Photograph all objects before and after qualifying treatment
• Assist contractors, conservators, preparators, and other staff with various exhibit projects
• 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
• Critically assess object stability and material makeup, pre-packing
• Pack 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
• Perform basic operations within the museum’s collections database, EMu
• Other move-related collections duties as assigned

Skills

Fine dexterity

Detail orientation

Team collaboration

PPE safety

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Museum Studies or related field

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Milwaukee Public Museum - Milwaukee, WI 53233

Salary Range: $15.45 Hourly

MPM is seeking 2 temporary, part-time Collections Move Technicians to support the museum’s goal of moving its 4 million object collection to a new building. The technicians will operate within all the museum’s collections and research departments, with focused work on objects being prepared for permanent display. One Technician will work collaboratively under the supervision of the museum’s Collections Move Project Associate and the other will work collaboratively under the supervision of the Collections Move Project Assistant. Initial work will focus on deinstalling current exhibits at MPM. Other duties may include packing and unpacking objects for permanent display. In addition to these tasks, future projects may include work with the museum’s preventive conservation needs, storage or shipping mounts, or other activities that directly support the organization and care of the museum’s collections while they transition to a new facility. The Technicians will also aid contractors, conservators, and preparators with their work as required.

The vast majority of the work will be done onsite at MPM; however 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 Tuesday through Friday 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
• Remove dust, grime, and otherwise lightly clean objects under supervision from the museum’s conservator
• Photograph all objects before and after qualifying treatment.
• Assist contractors, conservators, preparators, and other staff with various exhibit projects
• 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
• Critically assess object stability and material makeup, pre-packing
• Pack 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
• 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. Experience writing condition reports and undertaking object photography is preferred.

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.

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.