The Field Museum will open a new permanent exhibition on Native North American peoples that will draw on the comprehensive North American collections at the Museum. It will directly incorporate the voices of Native Americans through collaboration and will highlight the cultural and historical experiences of diverse communities of Native Americans. The exhibition will illustrate diverse cultural traditions, practices, and histories of the first peoples of North America, provide access to contemporary issues and creativity within Native communities, and provide a broader socio-historical context.
This is a full-time (35-hours per week), term position that will run until June 2021. The individual in this position will participate in the deinstallation of the current Native North American exhibition hall as well as in the development and preparation of the new exhibition by providing support for the management and care of the Native North American collections. This person will handle, store, house, organize, inventory, and photograph objects from these collections. This individual will report directly to the Collections Manager for North America. They will work closely with Exhibitions, Anthropology collections, conservation, and curatorial staff as well as community collaborators to implement exhibition goals. They will help coordinate access to the collections, as well as supervise and contribute towards their care. They will supervise collections assistants, interns, and volunteers also working on the exhibition.
Preference will be given to qualified applicants of Native American heritage.
To apply, you will need to visit:
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/ca..._job_id=180785
Please do NOT click the orange Apply Now button at the top of this AAM HQ post.


RequirementsDuties and Responsibilities

  • Upgrade and maintain storage conditions for the North American collections utilizing preventive conservation and/or traditional care methods. House, organize, inventory, move, track, store, documents and photograph the collections as appropriate.
  • Conduct inventories of collection objects and help oversee the reintegration of deinstalled objects from the former exhibition back into storage.
  • Monitor movement of objects at all stages and is responsible for keeping the inventory database up-to-date. Consult with the Chief Registrar regarding the database and the accuracy of its information. Work with Collections Manager, Curator and community collaborators to solve cataloging problems in order to improve the veracity of data in the collections records and database.
  • Field and responds to inquiries from curators, exhibitions and other Museum staff, as well as from Native communities or outside institutions as they relate to the Native American Journeys exhibition.
  • Connect scholars, descendant communities, and members of the public to the collections by hosting research and cultural heritage visits, providing tours, and assisting with special events.
  • Assist with heritage management and community engagement efforts, which may occur offsite and during non-regular work hours.
  • Supervise collections assistants, volunteers, interns, and visitors as required.
  • Perform other collections-related activities as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in Anthropology, Native American Studies, and/or Museum Studies required.
  • Experience working with Native North American material culture highly desirable.
  • At least four years of handling and caring for museum objects required.
  • Construction of complex storage mounts highly desirable. Woodshop experience a plus.
  • An in-depth knowledge of accepted museum collections care practices and procedures expected.
  • Community engagement experience highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated superb organizational skills, impeccable attention to detail, ability to focus on tasks, ability to communicate effectively, treatment of objects with care and dignity, and skilled in negotiation and resolution of non-routine problems.
  • Demonstrated computer proficiency with museum collections databases, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. Working knowledge of EMu highly desirable.
  • Experience with artifact photography with use of Adobe Creative Suite highly desirable.
  • Ability to work alone or in a team situation required. Must be able to work with collections and records for long hours. Examination of artifacts may demand stooping, kneeling, bending, and climbing a ladder.