WS - Museum Assistant - FWS

University of Pikeville; Pikeville (KY); On-site; USD 11,000 - 14,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Pikeville’s Big Sandy Heritage Center seeks a Museum Assistant to support daily operations, visitor services, and exhibit work. You’ll rotate across front desk, gift shop, and installations to ensure a welcoming experience and proper collection care.

The role emphasizes outreach, research, and ongoing learning, with a schedule including multiple weekdays and Saturdays. Training provided; current UPIKE student preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be a current UPIKE student in good standing.
• Entry-level supervisor experience and reporting to Brandon R. Kirk.
• Willing to work a schedule including Mon-Sat 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• Ability to perform visitor services, gift shop, and exhibit support.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and inform visitors at the museum.
• Handle admissions, assist gift shop, and manage cash.
• Care for and maintain the museum collection.
• Sort, arrange, catalogue, and inventory artifacts and photos.
• Conduct online and library research related to the collection.
• Assist with installation and de-installation of exhibits.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Professionalism

Career & Self-Development

Critical Thinking

Community Transformation

Leadership

Technology

Education

Current UPIKE student in good standing

Job description

MUSEUM ASSISTANT

Division: Community Service Department: Community Service

Experience: Entry-level Supervisor/Reports To: Brandon R. Kirk

Start Date: 8/25/20256

The Museum Assistant supports daily operations at the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum through visitor services, exhibition support, and administrative tasks. Working across the front desk, gift shop, and exhibit installations, the role helps deliver a welcoming, informative visitor experience while maintaining collection care and general museum upkeep.

Responsibilities and Career Competencies

• Ensure a welcoming and informative environment for all visitors - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Handle admissions, assist with the museum gift shop, and manage cash transactions - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Assist with the care and maintenance of the museum collection - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Lead and assist with sorting, arranging, cataloging, and inventorying artifacts, rare documents, and photographs - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Conduct research online and in libraries on topics related to the museum mission and its collection - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and de-installation of exhibits - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Help with the arrangement and display of artifacts - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Contribute to developing ideas and strategies for community programming - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Improve the museum's online presence (website, Wikipedia, YouTube, social media) - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Perform routine cleaning and general maintenance of museum spaces - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T
• Assist with events, programs, and workshops - C, TW, P, CSD, CT, CTR, L, T

Competencies/Skills

Communication (C), Teamwork (TW), Professionalism (P), Career & Self-Development (CSD), Critical Thinking (CT), Community Transformation (CTR), Leadership (L), Technology (T)

Education Requirements

Must be a current UPIKE student in good standing.

Preferred Skills

Word, Social Media & New Technology; attention to detail; written & verbal communication; willingness to learn new things.

Work Schedule

M 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; R 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; F 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; Sa 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (considering opening Tu & W 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; museum staff on hand until 6:00 PM M, R-Sa).

Work Conditions

Dust.

Physical Demands

Keyboarding; reaching/handling; stooping/kneeling; crouching/crawling; lifting and carrying up to 15 lbs.; balancing.

Number of Positions

3

Pay Rate

$8.75/hour

Location

Off-campus, approximately 3 blocks from the city parking building, city park, and UPIKE. 172 Division St. 4th floor, Pikeville

The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or admission of students.