Collections Manager

DESCRIPTION:

Since 1915, an outstanding collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents has been collected. From its humble beginning in the basement of the former Kellogg Library on Jefferson St., the museum’s permanent collection today includes over 100,000 three-dimensional objects and approximately 750,000 images that represent our local and regional communities, as well as 4 million feet of news film and home movies. All of these items belong to the people of Brown County, Wisconsin.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Museum Executive Director and in cooperation with the Exhibitions Manager the Collections Manager co-organizes the work of the Curator, Education Specialist, Guest Services Coordinator, and Museum Technicians to ensure selection, availability, readiness, and procurement of exhibit assets including graphics material, collection objects, loaned artifacts, non-collection objects, artworks, or other exhibit props; audio visual material, and other exhibition media to enhance story lines and the visitor experience.

Serves as collection manager for objects owned by or loaned to the Neville Public Museum.  Responsible for the integrity of collection management systems.  Creates, organizes and maintains, according to professional standards, the movement, storage and documentation associated with collection accessioning, registration, de-accessioning and loans.

Occasional evening and weekend work.

Essential Duties

• Maintains the Museum's collection management system (PastPerfect), which includes creating and maintaining administrative and user documentation for the software, managing user access, and training staff and interns on using the system.
• With the Executive Director and Exhibitions Manager, oversees risk management, including ensuring adequate insurance coverage pursuant to the care, custody and control of all objects in the Museum's care.
• Facilitates incoming and outgoing loans for collections, exhibitions or research.
• Coordinates and manages documentation for deeds of gifts, bequests, and donations.
• Assures compliance of NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and other Federal, State and local laws which affect collections.
• Manages all rights and reproduction rights of Museum objects.
• Develops long-term collection strategies and acquisition plans in alignment with the museum's mission, goals, and areas of focus.
• Oversees  the pulling, mounting, installation, handling and movement of Collections objects for exhibitions.
• Conducts periodic inventories of museum collections, reports the findings and updates registrarial records.
• Monitors environmental conditions in all collection spaces, including RH & temperature, and corresponds with Facilities concerning problems and/or cleaning needs.
• Assists staff in locating and documenting Collections objects.
• Works with outside consultants to provide conservation care, object surveys and inventories.
• Selects, trains, supervises and evaluates Collections Department volunteers and interns.
• Supervises museum staff and researchers when they are performing collections tasks or projects. Works with the Museum Director, Exhibitions Manager, and staff to develop and implement Museum policies governing collections and their use, custody and control.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and ensures documentation of minutes in Collections Committee meetings and attends other Museum meetings as required.
• With the Exhibitions Manager, oversee and ensure proper maintenance of museum facilities in routine walk through of exhibits, storage, and maintenance areas.
• With the Exhibitions Manager and Guest Services Coordinator, annually reviews and updates the Museum Disaster Plan.  Schedules and facilitates staff training in its implementation.  Maintains a disaster supplies inventory.
• Organizes and maintains a professional system for object storage.
• Facilitates professional packing and shipping of museum objects.
• Assesses conservation needs and conducts basic collections care.
• Keeps informed of current professional conservation and management techniques and legal aspects of collections management to ensure proper care of the collections.
• Represents the Museum to the general public and the profession through public programs and consultations, providing information for queries, giving interviews, attending meetings/lectures/workshops, and presenting museum-related research in workshops, conferences and/or in publications.
• Performs research for objects and collections, as necessary.
• Provide guided tours as needed.
• Assists in the preparation of grant proposals.
• Prepares various oral and written reports as requested by the Museum Director.
• Performs related functions as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors required or Master's degree preferred from an accredited college or university in art, American History or natural sciences, and/or in Museum Studies with a concentration in collections management, plus a minimum of three years working experience in museum registration; or any equivalent combination of  education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Wisconsin Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience with PastPerfect Web Edition
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite Software
• Knowledge of professional museum collections management procedures.
• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems
• Knowledge of museum operations, methodology and techniques.
• Knowledge of conservation techniques and methodology for objects.
• Knowledge of NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and other pertinent collections-based legislation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget formulation and management.
• Knowledge of current research methods and sources.
• Knowledge of risk management/inventory systems/disaster planning.
• Knowledge of storage systems and methods, packing, processing and recall of museum objects.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and classify documents and artifacts.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, Museum and Brown County staff, volunteers, interns and other museum professional.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and manage people and resources.
• Ability to prioritize and problem solve.
• Ability to collaborate, build trust and work as part of a team.

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