Registrar

Midwest Museums; Dennison (OH); On-site; USD 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K program

Job summary

Midwest Museums in Dennison, Ohio seeks a Registrar to manage the care, records, and disposition of artifacts in the museum collection. You will handle accession numbers, descriptions, and cataloging, ensuring accurate records for exhibits, storage, and loans.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 1–3 years in collections care, with strong organization, data entry, and collaboration with curators. Weekend availability may be needed; the Depot Team supports fundraising events and public

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field.
• 1–3 years of experience in collections care and artifact registration.
• Good management and customer service skills, excellent organization and teamwork.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Experience with museum databases and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accession, location, and catalog records for all objects.
• Oversee movement, packing, and shipping per insurance regulations.
• Assist in planning and maintaining exhibits and research requests.
• Maintain storage, exhibit, and loan locations for staff and insurers.
• Recommend improvements to registration procedures for accessibility and efficiency.
• Coordinate with Curator and Executive Director on department needs.

Skills

Database experience

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

National Historic Landmark

P.O. Box 11, 400 Center Street

Dennison, Ohio 44621

Open year round

Museum * Gift Shop * Theater * Pullman Airbnb * Streetside Center * Clay Capital Heritage Center

Hiring for the Position of: Registrar

Includes: Collections Care and Management,Exhibits planning and installation,Research, assistance with events andFrontline as needed.

Job Description

Overall Description of duties

• This is a full-time, at will position, requiring 35 – 40 hours a week.
• The staff member works with a dynamic team to manage the logistics, care and records of all artifacts and archival material owned, gifted or on loan to the Museum.
• The Registrar maintains records of accession, condition, location and yearly Register of objects in the museum collection, including numbering, photographing and completing to disposition whether going to exhibit or property packed away to high museum standards for storage. Registers and assigns accession and catalog numbers to all objects in collection, according to our established registration system. Composes concise description of objects, and records descriptions on file cards and in collection catalogs. Maintains records of storage, exhibit, and loan locations of all objects in collection for use of establishment personnel, insurance representatives, and other people utilizing facilities. Periodically reviews and evaluates registration and catalog system to maintain applicability, consistency, and operation. Recommend changes in recordkeeping procedures to achieve maximum accessibility to and efficient retrieval of collection objects. Arrange for insurance of objects on loan or special exhibition, or recommends insurance coverage on parts of or entire collection.
• The Registrar oversees the movement, packing, and shipping of objects to conform to insurance regulations and safety.
• The Registrar helps the Curator oversee incoming artifact reception areas, storage and exhibits to make sure all objects are taken care of properly at all times, always ready to raise awareness if something is not being done correctly. Observes unpacking of objects acquired by museum through gift, purchase, or loan to determine that damage or deterioration to objects has not occurred.
• Ensure all new donations are registered in a timely manner and the register is up to date; all Deeds completed within giving year.
• The Register works with Museum Leadership to continually raise the bar in terms of better processes, training staff and improving artifact storage.
• The Registrar is well versed in Ohio and National Collections Care procedures, Collections Management procedures, as well as the Museum’s Collection Policy, Deaccession Policy and Scope of Collections.
• The Registrar is willing to raise the bar and continue learning as needed whether through webinars, workshops, conferences, or other forms of professional development.
• This position works closely to help plan and design and maintain museum exhibits, as well as with visiting schools and scholars. This person will also handle all requests for information and research artifacts. The position requires the ability to work with museum databases.
• This position assists in fulfilling the Strategic Plan as approved by the Board of Trustees.
• In the absence of a Curator, the Registrar will report to the Museum’s Executive Director. If a Curator is present, the Registrar reports to the Curator.
• In the absence of a Curator, the Museum Director makes all final decisions on what to collect.
• The Registrar will oversee staff hired or volunteering in collections and always set a good example of leadership, following museum procedures and policies.

Description of Team Duties

• This position is part of the overall Depot Team and will requires teamwork including helping on important fundraising projects as the Polar Express, as well as filling in in the front office and other museum events as needed.
• All Depot team members are asked to be leaders, pay attention to detail, aim to continually raise the bar to grow and improve, and be good customer service ambassadors.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field.
• One to three years of experience in collections care and artifact registration required.
• Good management and customer service skills, excellent organization and ability to be a team player. The staff should value the vital role museums play in preserving history and within the community and have knowledge of planning events
• The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the public and staff, as well as good writing skills are essential.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft office, Word, Google Calendars, email, social meeting) are also needed. Preparing and entering data are also important, as well as the ability to design promotional material as needed and reports.
• Applicants should be comfortable handling logistics of ordering and coordinating supplies and deliveries.
• Applicants help keep the Depot clean as needed.

Personal Qualifications:

• Database experience
• Ability to multi-task and think critically in a busy work environment
• Able to creatively and effectively problem solve
• Up-to-date knowledge of copyright laws and other legal issues related to museum operations.
• Ability to strategically organize, process, and maintain records; identify inefficient/ineffective processes; and implement improvements.
• Attention to detail, well organized, positive attitude and self-motivated
• Experience in managing projects from inception to completion
• Thorough knowledge of current registration practices and principles and a clear understanding of museum standards and protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to exercise tact, respect and diplomacy at all times with a wide variety people
• Ability to work well under pressure and with conflicting demands.
• Ability to work well both independently and in a team dynamic and accept supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evening and weekend assignments.
• Willingness to grow professionally
• Detailed understanding of Microsoft Office Programs
• – Interest in railroad and WWI, WWII history past and present and a passion for preservation and public service
• Willingness to delegate, supervise and utilize volunteers and interns and accommodate to their needs
• Ability to collaborate with a diverse group of staff and professional colleagues.
• Impeccable honesty and integrity
• Willingness to perform physical labor

After 90 days, employees will receive vacation equal to one week’s schedule in year one, two weeks in year two, three weeks in year five. The schedule is flexible other than Tuesday morning staff meetings, but days will be scheduled Tuesday through Friday and some Saturdays. Must be able to work weekends if there is an event or requested to fill in as a Weekend Manager. All major federal holidays are off. Other days off must be requested in advance prior to schedule being made. Strong emphasis on staff development including workshops, conferences, leadership programs. Eligible for general health insurance and 401K program.

Salary: $38,000 to $45,000 depending on experience.