Museum Registrar

Parks and Natural Resources
Museum Registrar
PG17 Exempt 56555.20 annually

MAJOR FUNCTION

The Museum Registrar is responsible for the functional care and management of objects and artifacts contained in the collection at the history center. Custodial care for the collection is a central function for the history center, and the Museum Registrar leads both long-range planning efforts and day-to-day activities relative to the care and stewardship of the collections, and facilitating collection activities (including acquisitions, loans, displays, and gallery installations).
Reporting to the Cultural Resources Coordinator, the Museum Registrar provides leadership relative to collections’ care, including shaping and enforcing collections management policies and practices that seek to operate at the highest levels of museum standards and best practices and to safeguard the history center's collections and loans for future generations. The Museum Registrar also serves as the building maintenance and security coordinator; monitoring and reporting issues related to the security and preventative maintenance of the Historic 1908 Old Polk County Courthouse.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Collection Stewardship

• Implements all facets of the history center's comprehensive Collections Management

• Policy and Collections Management Standard Operating Procedures.

• Provides daily oversight and preservation of the museum's permanent object collection.

• Performs simple, appropriate cleaning of artifacts and object condition reporting.

• Conducts inventories of collections and reconciliation with artifact records and documents and tracks physical location of objects in onsite and offsite locations.

• Leads the museum's environmental and security monitoring, including coordinating with building maintenance and security providers.

• Ensures adherence to best standards, principles, and practices in the preservation and care of museum materials and remains aware of emerging technologies and trends.

Recordkeeping

• Performs data entry and filing related to donor recognition letters, deeds of gift, catalog records, and other artifact documentation.

• Photographs and edits images of objects for cataloging and documentation.

• Conducts maintenance, security, and upgrades of collections database.

• Classifies and numbers the museum artifacts.

• Completes annual fixed asset inventory of furniture and equipment in cooperation with the office of the Polk County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.

Building Coordinator

• Coordinates with the museum security vendor to monitor, report, and respond to events relating to the security and safety on site at the Polk County History Center

• Coordinate with public safety officials to monitor, report, and respond to emergency events relating to the security and safety on site at the Polk County History Center.

• Coordinates with Polk County Facilities Management to monitor, report, and respond to routine maintenance issues at the Polk County History Center.

Exhibition Development

• Retrieves and prepares artifacts and artifact information, conducts artifact-related research, and provides input to staff regarding collection elements for exhibitions, programs, and other museum needs.
• Manages the care, handling, packing/unpacking and moving of museum objects, including the shipping and receipt of crated artifacts or exhibitions.
• Participates in exhibition installation and deinstallation.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:

• Foundational principals of collections management.

• Environmental and external factors unique to Florida that impact permanent collections.

• State and federal guidelines regarding custody, ownership, and repatriation of museum objects.

• Knowledge of professional museum standards and terminology, principles, techniques, and programs.

• Work independently and as a team member with other history center staff to develop strategic plans for collections, educational programs, and publications.

• Accurately maintain a collection management system (CMS) to record metadata pertaining to individual objects, accessions and other activities.

• Align the policies and procedures that relate to collections, traveling exhibitions and loans to/from the Polk County History Center are consistent with current and evolving museum best practices and the history center's Collection Management Policies.

• Monitor and prepare operational budgets for projects relevant to collections stewardship

• Conduct historical research.

• Communicate effectively with colleagues, collectors, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to be flexible, balance multiple projects and tasks concurrently, and work with close attention to detail.

• Work independently and as a team member with other history center staff to develop strategic plans for collections, educational programs, and publications.

• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; high level of presentation, problem solving and diplomacy skills.

• Strong computer skills including database experience, word processing knowledge, digital image management, and image manipulation.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university with a degree in History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Museum Studies, Public History, Cultural Resources Management, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience working in collections management in a museum or gallery setting.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment.

• Prefer a master's degree in either Museum Studies, Museology, Public History with coursework related to collections management, or Library and Information Studies with concentration in Archival Studies.
  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and/or carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds on a regular basis.

• This full-time position is based in Polk County, Florida. Flexibility may be required to support emergency repairs outside of regular business hours.
  

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.