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View Full Version : Curator of Collections and Archives- Museum of Western Colorado, Grand Junction, CO



erika.katayama
01-07-2015, 01:47 PM
Job Title: Curator of Collections and Archives
Subject Focus: Anthropology Primarily, History Secondarily
Division/Department: Museum of the West
Reporting Relationship: Executive Director
Exemption Status: Exempt
Positions Supervised: Curatorial Assistants, Collection Technicians, Interns, Volunteers
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Curator of Collections and Archives
manages and curates the anthropological, historical and archival collections at the
Museum of the West (which is part of the Museum of Western Colorado).
Curator of Collections and Archives is responsible for the:
• preservation and interpretation of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) and
other governmental anthropology collections deposited at the Museum. In this
capacity, this position will work closely with Federal and State agencies in the
preservation and interpretation of this collection.
• preservation and documentation of the Museum of Western Colorado’s
anthropology and history collections. In this capacity, this position will work in
association with the Curatorial staff in the management of the Museum’s
collections.
• management of the Loyd Files Research Library, documentation for the entire
institution. In addition, this position consults with staff and board regarding the
retention and disposal of institutional records.
This position is responsible to remain current on museum registration and collections
management concepts, principles and practices as well as curatorial and archival practices
and techniques including technological standards, records management issues and legal
requirements. Examples of Duties:
Working with the Executive Director, the candidate will be the direct link
between the Museum of Western Colorado and the local and state Bureau of Land
Management in regard to:
• Managing the Museum’s depository contract with the BLM.
• Managing the Museum’s assistance agreements and SRP permits with the
BLM.
• Managing of BLM Curation Agreements issued through the MWC.
• Undertaking special projects, on behalf of both the Museum and BLM,
that promote heritage tourism such as informational signage, public
classes and preservation work.
Manage and curate the anthropological and historical related artifacts as well as
archival material held by the Museum, both the MWC’s collection and the BLM
collection housed at the Museum under a depository contract. This includes:
• Entering, tracking and administering institution-wide collections record
keeping and management system.
• Updating, as necessary, Registrar’s Manual defining practices and
collection management responsibilities.
• Analyzing, appraising and acquiring materials for collections and archives
(and Museum’s institutional archives).
• Working with curatorial staff, lenders and donors to accession and register
new donations, loans and material for exhibitions.
• Managing deacessioning process for the collection’s archives.
• Updating collection plans as necessary to enhance acquisition objectives.
• Arranging, describing and cataloging archival and library collections and
creating appropriate finding aids in paper-based and digital formats.
• Setting conservation and preservation standards for a wide variety of
library, archival and collection materials including biological artifacts, fine
art, paper-based, digital, photographic, microfiche, sound and
cartographic.
• Overseeing disaster-planning recovery for the artifact, archival and library
collections.
Utilize the Museum’s collections and BLM collection housed at the Museum to
assist with and promote the development of educational programming such as:
• speaking to classes and tour groups.
• creating or helping to create exhibits and educational resources.
• planning and leading trips and tours with an emphasis on local and
regional heritage and anthropology.
• preparing material for publication.
• assisting with public programming.
• presenting scholarly programs to schools, public and professional groups.Oversee research utilizing the Museum’s collections and BLM collection housed
at the Museum.
• Managing the MWC’s Research Library
• Developing, updating and administering the guidelines, standards,
methodologies and policies guiding collections as well as archival and
library administration activities.
• Diagnosing, customizing and delivering information in a manner
appropriate to researcher’s needs
• Establishing and maintaining guidelines for the use and reproduction of
the artifact and archival collections.
• Conducting paid research for outside entities when requested.
Recruits, trains and mentors appropriate subordinate staff, volunteers, interns and
contract personnel.
Actively seeks funding for upgrading the artifact and archival holdings.
Actively participates in and represents the Museum in a variety of professional
and community-wide organizations.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and Specialized Skills Required:
The Curator of Archives and Librarian position requires a master’s degree in
Museum Studies, Anthropology, Archeology or History with collection
management and/or archival training and five years of responsibility in
collections, archival and/or library administration.