Southern Museum - Curator

GENERAL NATURE OF WORK

The purpose of this classification is to collect, document, preserve, exhibit, and interpret artifacts both owned by and loaned to the Museum.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

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  Plan and direct the acquisition, preservation, research, storage and care of museum artifacts and collections; maintain historical collections and provide for inventory, cataloging, identification, documentation, condition assessment, photographic documentation, conservation, and preservation of the collection.
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  Collect, document, preserve, exhibit, and interpret artifacts both owned and loaned by the museum.
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  Plan, research and design exhibits; conduct research on museum artifacts; determine potential themes for exhibits and public programs; develop conceptual plan for exhibits and exhibit components including research, artifact selection, design, stabilization, and associated exhibit activities such as photography, labeling, narrative text and brochures; oversee exhibit design and installation services.
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  Maintain collections and the exhibits; manage collection environment and storage; conserve artifacts; repair and maintain exhibit components; ensure lighting conditions by replacing, supplementing and/or modifying lighting components.
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  Coordinate with other institutions to obtain the use of and/or the loan of artifacts as deemed appropriate; receive and review loan and traveling exhibit requests; prepare and submit loan and traveling exhibit requests; negotiate contract details; maintain related documentation.
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  Represent the Museum when requested at meetings, conferences, with the media, etc.; give speeches and presentations; grant interviews; answer questions and provide information; work with state and regional agencies, schools, and other historical organizations to develop educational programs and exhibits.
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  Participate in the day-to-day activities and operations of the Museum; greet visitors; conducts tours; answer questions; assist visitors in the gift shop; receive payment for entry, gift shop purchases, etc.; ensure the safety of visitors and the security of exhibits.
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  Communicate with supervisor, City employees, other departments, the public, media, interns and volunteers, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
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  Prepare, type, proofread, and/or complete various forms, reports, purchase orders, correspondence, deeds, condition reports, yearly insurance summaries, deposits, exhibit outline and plans, charts, graphs, spreadsheets, or other documents.
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  Receive various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, work estimates, invoices, press releases, insurance certificates, policies, procedures, manuals, handbooks, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews complete, proofread, process, forward, or retain as appropriate.
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  Operate a dry mount press, vinyl plotter, matt cutter, woodworking tools and other equipment to create and construct exhibits; operate a personal computer, general office equipment, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
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  Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria.
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  Ability to exercise discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
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  Ability to work with others to coordinate the more complex programs and more complex problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Often represents the department and/or organization when dealing with others.
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  Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
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  Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
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  Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
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  Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
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  Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in History or related field; supplemented with experience in museum collection management or historic preservation; equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

ADA Requirements:

Individuals applying for the posted position must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements: This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are occasionally required, and other sedentary criteria are met.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Benefits