Museum Collections Specialist: Exhibitions & Preservation

Presidio Trust; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The Presidio Trust is seeking a Collections Specialist to join its Historic Compliance team in the Planning and Compliance Department in the San Francisco Bay Area. The role focuses on collections care, documentation, and exhibition support for historic artifacts.

Reporting to the Curator, you will balance preserving objects with providing access for research, education, and displays, while complying with federal regulations and agency policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, anthropology, material culture studies, art history, history, or a related discipline with specialized training in museology.
• At least two years of relevant work experience in collections management and/or exhibition development.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to document clearly and convey information effectively.
• Proficiency with cross-platform relational databases and Microsoft Office; willingness to learn additional software.

Responsibilities

• Provide collections care including identification, handling, cleaning, cataloging, labeling, condition reporting, and storing objects.
• Create records documenting collections transactions (accessions, loans) and maintain artifact catalogs, lender/shipper files, and insurance documentation.
• Maintain collections database to facilitate access and use of the collections.
• Conduct research on collections and contribute to exhibitions and research projects.
• Assist with exhibition development from concept to installation, including rights management for images/objects.
• Develop curatorial manuals, write finding aids, and synthesize data for professional reports.
• Provide training and accessible information about curatorial activities to staff and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Databases & MS Office

Museology familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in museum studies/related discipline

Tools

Re:discovery software

Relational databases

Digital media software

Job description

The Presidio Trust is seeking a Collections Specialist to join its Historic Compliance team in the Planning and Compliance Department in the San Francisco Bay Area. The role focuses on collections care, documentation, and exhibition support for historic artifacts.

Reporting to the Curator, you will balance preserving objects with providing access for research, education, and displays, while complying with federal regulations and agency policy.