Museum Curator - REGION 3

Montgomery County Pennsylvania; Norristown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Pennsylvania is seeking a Curator to manage all aspects of historic site collections, including care, conservation, organization, records, storage, exhibition and security. The role directs collection activities, liaises with risk management, and leads public tours.

The Curator will supervise staff and volunteers, coordinate exhibitions, monitor environmental conditions, and develop disaster readiness plans in alignment with the division’s objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years' experience in collection management, material culture or conservation.
• Experience with living history and/or historical re-enactment preferred.
• Must have Bachelor's Degree in Museum Studies, American History, Collection Management, Material Culture, Conservation, Art History or related field or five (5) years commensurate experience.
• Knowledge of current best practices and procedures for collections and historic site management including museum ethics.
• Must have competent computer skills including knowledge of collection management software (Past Perfect).
• Must be able to read/write/speak English.
• Must project a pleasant and professional presence when interacting with the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively and possess good public speaking skills.
• Expected to participate in appropriate organizations and affiliations related to the field, including the division's Collection Committee.
• Must successfully pass PA State Police Criminal Record Check.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License, a satisfactory driving record and the ability to maintain one throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, direct and physically manage collections including all paperwork, computer databases, object inventories, housekeeping, internal and external movements (loans) and storage in keeping with the division's Collection Management Plan.
• Make recommendations to and work with the division's Collection Committee regarding accepting donations, loans, and deaccessioning of collections.
• Coordinate with County Risk Management for insurance paperwork for collection items.
• Work with professional conservators, framers and artisans regarding work with collection and exhibition items.
• Oversee collection publication and reproduction rights and handle queries related to collections.
• Supervise and train staff, volunteers, interns and researchers working with collections.
• Research and coordinate exhibit themes and topics, develop installation techniques, prepare and install labels and objects for exhibits.
• Monitor environmental conditions and pest management; monitor collection security.
• Develop and implement disaster preparedness policies; participate in cleaning schedules and procedures.
• Identify, write and administer grants for collections, conservation, exhibits and related projects.
• Compile information and write reports, articles, brochures.
• Create public programs related to site collections and curatorial practices; conduct regular public tours.
• Perform regional curatorial duties and assist other regions on large projects.
• Attend required training; perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

The Curator will manage all aspects of the historic site collections, including care, conservation, organization, records, storage, exhibition and security.

• Plans, prioritizes, directs and physically manages collections including all paperwork, computer databases, object inventories, housekeeping, internal and external movements (loans) and storage in keeping with the division's Collection Management Plan.
• Makes recommendations to and works with the division's Collection Committee regarding accepting of donations, orchestrating loans to and from the division and deaccessioning of collections.
• Works with the County Risk Management to ensure the proper insurance paperwork is in place for all collection items.
• Works with professional conservators, framers and artisans regarding work with collection and exhibition items.
• Oversee collection publication and reproduction rights and handles queries related to collections.
• Supervises and trains staff, volunteers, interns and researchers working with collections.
• Researches and coordinates with other staff and volunteers regarding the development of exhibit themes and topics related to the site's mission, develops installation techniques, prepares and installs labels and objects for special exhibits and temporary displays.
• Monitors environmental conditions including data loggers and pest management.
• Monitors collection security.
• Prepares recommendations and implementation policies for a disaster preparedness plan.
• Develops, implements and participates in museum cleaning schedules and procedures.
• Identifies, writes and administers grants for collections, conservation, exhibits and related projects.
• Compiles information for and writes reports, articles, and brochure text as needed.
• Creates public programs related to the site collections, curatorial practices and procedures.
• Conducts regular public tours.
• Performs regional curatorial duties as directed by the Region Manager. May assist other regions in large projects.
• Required to take training as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Minimum two (2) years' experience in collection management, material culture or conservation.
• Experience with living history and/or historical re-enactment preferred.
• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Museum Studies, American History, Collection Management, Material Culture, Conservation, Art History or related field or five (5) years commensurate experience.
• Knowledge of current best practices and procedures for collections and historic site management including museum ethics.
• Must have competent computer skills including knowledge of collection management software (Past Perfect).
• Must be able to read/write/speak English.
• Must project a pleasant and professional presence when interacting with the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively and possess good public speaking skills.
• Expected to participate in appropriate organizations and affiliations related to the field, including the division's Collection Committee.
• Must successfully pass PA State Police Criminal Record Check.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License, a satisfactory driving record and the ability to maintain one throughout employment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

• Have the ability to climb, stoop, bend, reach, walk, sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift at least up to thirty (30) pound.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn when applicable.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position will require both office and field work. A Curator may experience the following:

• Exposure to chemicals and other hazardous materials when performing responsibilities including dust, mold and animal droppings.
• Occasional exposure to inclement weather, extreme heat, cold, snow, ice and rain.
• Will work at various sites as assigned.
• Required to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.
• Be available for all emergencies outside of normal working hours.
• Occasional historic attire may be required.
• Occasional contact with domestic and wild animals.
• Casual business attire.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.