[LIBJOBS] USA, South Orange, NJ - Collections Manager for Museum and Special Collections

 

 

 

Posting Number:	0001923
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Title:	Collections Manager for Museum and Special Collections
Location:	South Orange
Employment Type:	Regular Full-Time
FTE:	1.0
Salary Range (Applicant View):	Admin-150
Exempt/Non-Exempt:	Exempt
Benefits Eligible?	Yes
Job Category:	Administrative/Professional
Limited to current local 153 members only?	No
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Department:	135111-University Library - Dean's Office
Job Summary/Basic Function:	The position will help plan and implement the shift of the University's Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology Collection to the Libraries (transfer, housing, arrangement, description, web exposure) and be the core support for this collection as well as the Libraries' permanent collections of art and material culture (archives, manuscripts, rare books, art and artifacts): care, safety, documentation, compliance with professional art, archival and museum standards. The Seton Hall University Museum Collection is an important archive of Native American artifacts and some print items to be rehoused in the Libraries' Special Collections and expansively exposed to scholars on the web. The Collections Manager will utilize the Libraries' relevant databases for art and artifacts (PastPerfect) and Special Collections (Archivists Toolkit/ASpace) as appropriate, as well as arrange loans and monitor environmental conditions for the Museum and other collections. The Collections Manager will report to the Director of the Gallery and will very closely coordinate with the Head of Special Collections along with the faculty associated with the Museum Collections.
Duties and Responsibilities:	Plan and implement the shift of the University's Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology Collection to the Libraries (transfer, housing, arrangement, description, web exposure). Initially, this will be 100% of the job but will move to the % indicated after 24-36 months. Support the Libraries' permanent collections of art and material culture (archives, manuscripts, rare books, art and artifacts): care, safety, documentation, compliance with professional art, archival and museum standards. Utilize the Libraries' relevant databases for art and artifacts (PastPerfect) and Special Collections (Archivists Toolkit/ASpace) as appropriate, as well as arrange loans and monitor environmental conditions for the Museum and other collections. Coordinate packing, handling, movement, and shipping arrangements for objects, including loaned objects (oversee handling, packing, movement) and inspection of all objects entering or leaving the Libraries for the Museum and other collections as needed, and overseeing the inspection of objects generally, and the execution of incoming/outgoing condition reports and loan forms, general object condition reporting. Participate with the faculty associated with the Museum Collections in the formulation of policy guiding the use and availability of those collections, and enact those policies. Process new acquisitions to the Libraries' collections, and apply established Collections Management procedures for their safekeeping, storage and movement, solve cataloging problems in order to improve the veracity of data in the collections records and database. Follow established procedures for maintaining records of accession, condition, and location of objects in collection, both permanent and loaned, and for overseeing movement, packing, and shipping of objects to conform to insurance regulations and best practices Monitor storage and exhibition spaces for temperature/humidity, environmental hazards, safety, cleanliness, and ongoing maintenance concerns with an eye to preventative maintenance. Additional Duties: Assisting with planning and implementation of exhibition programming and special events; ability to work alone or in a team situation required with all relevant staff; scheduling class and group usage of the museum classroom; opening and closing the Gallery in the Director's absence; assisting with general administration and other tasks as assigned.
Licenses and Certificates:
Required Qualifications:	Minimum of 2-3 years directly relevant experience in a museum, a special collection, or similar non-profit center required. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and verbal) required. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and to meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment required. Ability to be equally effective when working independently or as a part of a team required. Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced work environment required. Excellent communication required - drafting and interpreting policies, working with scholars, etc. Excellent attention to detail with ability to do repetitive tasks required. Experience with provenance research and research use of these Museum and other Special Collections objects required. Experience with at least one of the databases previously noted required, experience with both preferred. Strong computer skills: expert facility with MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and Adobe PhotoShop and Acrobat required. Previous experience shipping loans and/or exhibitions domestically and internationally required. Strong commitment to quality control and collaboration required. Familiarity with current best practices and metadata standards in the field of collections management (including handling, packing, movement and shipping) required.
Desired Qualifications:	Good photographic skills preferred.
Standard Work Hours Per Week:	35 hours
If 'Other,' 'Part-time,' please specify hours/week:
Physical Demands:	Ability to lift, move, and pack items/groups of items of up to 50 pounds. Vision and hearing abilities- often; Extensive standing, walking- often.
Posting Date:	01-15-2014
Closing Date:	Open Until Filled
Optional Applicant Documents:
Required Applicant Documents:	Resume Cover Letter Writing Sample
Special Instructions to Applicants:	Writing Sample: 250 to 500 words on the role of a museum quality collection in a teaching university.
If you plan to advertise externally, indicate the advertising sources:	higheredjobs.com njherc.org
Quicklink for Posting:	jobs.shu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=53037