Project Registrar

Computer History Museum; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision benefits

HSA with employer contributions

403(b) retirement plan with matching

Generous PTO

Life and Disability insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Computer History Museum in Milpitas, CA seeks a Project Registrar to execute a multi-year artifact inventory, update locations in the CMS, and photograph items for cataloging. The role works with volunteers and the Collections team to maintain high accuracy and safety standards.

The position is full-time, on-site at CHM’s Milpitas facility, requiring up to 40 hours weekly and occasional work at Mountain View as project needs dictate. Compensation is hourly.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Museum Studies or related field with 2–3 years hands-on museum experience.
• Experience using a collections management system such as Mimsy XG, TMS, or similar.
• Knowledge of collections storage, handling, cataloging, location control, and preventive conservation.
• Experience photographing objects for documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a collections storage or warehouse environment.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and operate pallet jack, with or without accommodations.
• Valid California driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inventory and photography of 40,000+ artifacts following procedures and standards.
• Retrieve, handle, document, and return artifacts using safe practices.
• Verify artifact locations against CMS records and update accordingly.
• Take and name high-quality reference photos for CMS.
• Maintain inventory progress documentation in the project tracker.
• Add inventory details to catalog records indicating located artifacts.
• Identify artifacts not located and flag records for review.
• Identify uncatalogued/misidentified items for review by managers.
• Monitor progress toward inventory goals and report issues affecting timelines or accuracy.
• Collaborate with Project Manager, Collections staff, and volunteers.
• Follow CHM policies on care, storage, documentation, safety, and security.
• Perform other collections duties as needed.

Skills

Artifact handling

Photo documentation

CMS experience

Written communication

Physical stamina

Education

Master’s degree in Museum Studies

2–3 years collection experience

Tools

Mimsy XG

TMS

Job description

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Project Registrar

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Details

Classification: Non-Exempt, Temporary, FulltimeLocation: Milpitas, CA

Position Summary

The Project Registrar is responsible for executing the day-to-day activities of a three-year, IMLS-funded project to complete a comprehensive inventory of more than 40,000 artifacts in CHM’s collection. The work includes the systematic and safe retrieval of artifacts from storage, confirming or updating artifact locations in the collections management system (CMS), taking high-quality photographs, returning artifacts to their correct locations, and documenting completed work in the project tracker.

Collections Volunteers will assist with the inventory once a week. The Project Registrar will work closely with the Project Manager and Collections team to ensure the inventory is completed accurately, safely, and according to established collections management practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct the inventory and photography of more than 40,000 artifacts in CHM’s collection in accordance with established project procedures and collections management standards.
• Systematically retrieve, handle, document, and return artifacts to their appropriate storage locations using safe artifact-handling practices.
• Verify artifact locations and collection information against records in the collections management system (CMS) and update records as needed.
• Take, process, and consistently name high-quality reference photographs of inventoried artifacts for inclusion in the CMS.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of inventory progress in the project tracker.
• Add required inventory documentation to catalog records to indicate whether artifacts were located during the project.
• Identify and document artifacts that cannot be located and flag associated records for additional investigation and reconciliation.
• Identify uncatalogued, misidentified, or otherwise unresolved artifacts and refer them to the Project Manager and appropriate Collections or Curatorial staff for further review.
• Monitor progress toward established inventory goals and communicate issues, discrepancies, or barriers that may affect project timelines or accuracy.
• Work collaboratively with the Project Manager, Collections staff, Acquisition Registrar, and Collections Volunteers to support consistent inventory and documentation practices.
• Follow CHM policies and procedures related to collections care, storage, documentation, workplace safety, and security.
• Perform other collections-related duties as needed to support successful completion of the grant-funded project.

Competencies

The qualities and behaviors that will define the role’s effectiveness and impact.

• Attention to Detail: Approaches detailed, high-volume work with consistency and care and maintains a high standard of accuracy.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned work, follows through on commitments, and communicates progress and challenges.
• Judgment and Problem-Solving: Recognizes discrepancies or potential issues and uses sound judgment to determine when additional review is needed.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with colleagues and volunteers and contributes to a respectful and productive working environment.
• Adaptability: Approaches changing priorities and unexpected challenges with flexibility, perspective, and a sense of humor.

Qualifications and Skills

The professional background, experience, and technical skills required for success in this role.

Required

• Master’s degree in Museum Studies or a related field and 2–3 years of hands‑on experience working with a museum or cultural heritage physical object collection.
• Experience using a collections management system or relational database, such as Mimsy XG, TMS, or a comparable system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of collections management and artifact storage best practices, including artifact handling, cataloging, location control, site security, and preventive conservation.
• Experience photographing collection objects and processing images for documentation and cataloging purposes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in a collections storage or warehouse environment.
• Ability to safely lift up to 40 pounds, climb and work from rolling warehouse ladders, and operate a pallet jack, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Experience with Airtable, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and photo‑processing software.
• Experience working with museum volunteers.
• Familiarity with computer, technology, or electronics collections and their preservation requirements.
• Experience using pallet jacks, scissor lifts, power tools, and similar equipment used in collections storage, movement, and crating.

Benefits

• Fully sponsored Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Partially sponsored Health dependent costs
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with employer contributions
• 403(b) retirement plan with 1:1 employer matching
• Generous PTO (Paid Time Off) benefits
• Fully sponsored Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Discounts in museum store and onsite café

Work Arrangement

This is a full‑time, on‑site position based at CHM’s collections facility in Milpitas, California. The Project Registrar is expected to work on‑site 40 hours per week. The nature of the position requires regular hands‑on work with the physical collection and therefore is not eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
Occasional work at the Computer History Museum’s Mountain View location may be required based on project needs.

Compensation

$33.17 per hour

About CHM

At the Computer History Museum our mission is to decode technology—its computing past, digital present, and future impact on humanity. From the heart of Silicon Valley, we share insights from our research, our events, and our incomparable collection of computing artifacts and oral histories to convene, inform, and empower people to shape a better future.

At CHM, we believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success. We provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Our Values

At CHM, we strive to create a culture that is collaborative, caring, and fun, where we hold ourselves accountable, look for the best in each other, and learn together. We value integrity, inclusiveness, innovation, communication, and curiosity.