Exhibits Maintenance Technician Supporting USCG Museum

Ruchman and Associates, Inc.; New London (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruchman and Associates, Inc. seeks an Exhibits Maintenance Technician to care for museum exhibits, inspect lighting and interactive displays, and assist with artifact handling and installation at the National Coast Guard Museum.

The role includes preventive maintenance, back-of-house cataloging, and coordinating with museum staff to preserve a pristine Day One appearance. The position requires technical field training, experience with exhibit installation, and strong safety practices to protect

Qualifications

• Two to five years of experience in exhibit preparation, museum installation, specimen or artifact handling and mounting, or use of standard carpentry, electrical, and mechanical hand and power tools.
• Proficiency with hand and power tools, shop safety practices, and reading blueprints or computer-aided design drawings.
• Knowledge of archival-safe materials and material interactions when handling artifacts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily pre-opening gallery rounds to ensure exhibit components are functional and presentable.
• Clean exhibit cases, vitrines, and displays using archival-safe materials.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on interactive stations and exhibit components.
• Assist with moving furniture, equipment, and scenery for events and repairs.
• Handle and mount artifacts under approved handling plans in coordination with museum staff.
• Assist with back-of-house cataloging and processing of artifacts for online exhibits.
• Securely install and adjust display materials and lighting to meet conservation requirements.
• Inspect pathways for safety hazards, supporting ADA compliance.

Skills

Shop safety practices

Reading blueprints or CAD drawings

Proficiency with hand and power tools

Artifact handling experience

Education

Illustrative Design

Commercial Art

Fine Arts

Industrial Design

Architecture

Drafting

Interior Design

Related technical field

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Architectural blueprints

Job description

Description

Ruchman and Associates, Inc. (RAI) is seeking an Exhibits Maintenance Technician to support the daily care, appearance, functionality, and safety of exhibits at the National Coast Guard Museum. The technician will conduct exhibit inspections, perform approved cleaning and preventive maintenance, complete minor repairs, assist with artifact-support and installation activities, and support digital cataloging.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct daily pre-opening gallery rounds to confirm that exhibit lighting, interactive components, displays, and visitor-facing elements are functional and presentable.
• Clean exhibit cases, vitrines, pedestals, scenic elements, and approved exhibit surfaces using Government-approved, archival-safe materials.
• Perform approved preventive maintenance and minor repairs on interactive stations, exhibit components, casework, and gallery walls to preserve a “Day One” appearance.
• Assist with moving furniture, equipment, and scenic pieces for special events, exhibit servicing, and authorized building repairs.
• Handle, move, mount, or unmount artifacts only under a government-approved handling plan, within assigned qualifications, and in coordination with authorized museum collections personnel.
• Assist with back-of-house cataloging and processing of artifacts for online exhibits and digital collections.
• Securely install and remove approved display materials and adjust gallery lighting to meet established lux and conservation requirements.
• Inspect exhibit pathways and visitor areas for trip hazards and other safety concerns, supporting compliance with public-safety and ADA requirements.
• Organize and maintain storage areas for reusable pedestals, hardware, casework, tools, and exhibit-support materials.
• Coordinate with museum personnel and technical staff when exhibit issues involve AV equipment, projectors, lighting controls, or other specialized systems.

Qualifications:

• An Associate or Bachelor's degree in Illustrative Design, Commercial Art, Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Architecture, Drafting, Interior Design, or a related technical field. Relevant vocational or art-institute training may be credited as experience.
• Two to five years of experience in exhibit preparation, museum installation, specimen or artifact handling and mounting, or use of standard carpentry, electrical, and mechanical hand and power tools.
• Proficiency with hand and power tools, shop safety practices, and reading blueprints or computer-aided design drawings.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, and work safely in tight spaces or at heights.
• Knowledge of archival-safe materials and material interactions, including the risks of off-gassing near sensitive artifacts.
• Experience with track and LED gallery lighting, including focus adjustment and mitigation of UV and excessive light exposure.
• Basic troubleshooting experience with gallery displays, projectors, or other exhibit audiovisual equipment is highly desirable.
• Experience with patching, sanding, touch-up painting, custom mount making, or other fine-finishing work is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices for identifying and preventing biological threats to museum collections is highly desirable.

RAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and will not discriminate against any application for employment based on age, race, color, gender, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, disability, or sex including pregnancy and childbirth or related medical condition or on any other basis prohibited by law. RAI participates in the E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all persons hired. This means that we will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. RAI. will not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants.