NAWCC, INC.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Curator of Collections
LOCATION: National Watch & Clock Museum
REPORTS TO: Museum Director
FLSA STATUS: Full-time, exempt
The Curator of Collections position conducts specialized curatorial work involving collection development and management; maintain collection records; documenting the Museum collection; assisting with the planning and organizing of in-house and traveling exhibitions; and assisting with the development of related educational programs and materials for school and public audiences.
Primary responsibilities include:
• Implementing the Museum’s collections policies and procedures with primary responsibility for duties related to incoming & outgoing loans, acquisitions, and collection inventory projects.
• Ensures continuity of collections care and facilitates the maintenance of the highest standards in the stewardship of the Museum’s collections.
• Documenting the Museum collection through use of Museum collection database software. Photographing collection items for the Museum and NAWCC Publications.
• Assisting with producing a long-range exhibition calendar, scheduling and facilitating the installation of collection and loan objects, recommending traveling exhibitions appropriate to the mission and long-range goals of the Museum. In general, the Museum plans 2 exhibitions each year, which includes those curated in-house and an exhibition in cooperation with an NAWCC Member collector.
• Assisting the Education Director with planning and implementing programs related to the collections and exhibitions such as lectures, multi-media/audio-visual presentations, demonstrations and workshops.
• The research and writing for NAWCC publications, websites and the preparation of copy for interpretive labels, press releases and other communications.
Secondary responsibilities include:
• Working with the Executive Director and Museum Director to raise funds for department programs/projects through grant writing.
• Other related duties as required by the Museum Director, to whom this position reports.
Supervision given and received:
• Performs under general supervision of the Museum Director. Determines own methods of performing assigned work. Supervises museum volunteers, interns and guest curators.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, history or related discipline from an accredited college or university; Master’s Degree preferred. The Museum’s collection is focused on horological history and technology and therefore candidates should have a strong, demonstrable background in these areas.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Proven track record of development and implementation of special exhibits with a broad audience appeal.
• Demonstrable collection management experience, specifically using PastPerfect Collections Management software, generally gained through 3-5 years of experience as an assistant curator or registrar.
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic and negotiating skills.
• An ability to work effectively with a variety of personalities and maintain friendly and courteous relationships with the staff, board, NAWCC members and patrons.
• Knowledge about museum conservation, collections care and management including storage systems, environmental controls and lighting techniques.
• Knowledge of conservation techniques and possession of mechanical skills.
• Ability as a speaker to make presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule of hours to include some evenings and some weekends.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the horological history and/or technology, and ability to share that enthusiasm with others.
Physical Demands:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and climb or balance.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
• Curatorial work is computer intensive.
• Employees are encouraged to determine what is the most ergonomically correct sitting arrangement at individual workstations, to adjust arrangements as needed, and to take periodic breaks to relieve strain.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required.
• The NAWCC may require a background check and/or drug testing. The NAWCC is a non-smoking facility.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references who can speak to the candidate’s qualifications as outlined above by September 30, 2014 to:
National Watch & Clock Museum
c/o Museum Director
514 Poplar Street
Columbia, PA 17512
or via email to:
[log in to unmask]
No phone calls please.
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