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Museum Specialist II – Curator of Archives, Maine State Museum, Augusta, ME

Posted April 24, 2020

CODE: 3116   PAY GRADE: 23   SALARY:  $40,768.00 – $55,182.40

OPEN FOR RECRUITMENT:  April 22, 2020

CLOSES:  May 6, 2020

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is professional services work involving curatorial oversight of, and involvement with, Maine State Museum archival collections, especially regarding the development, management and interpretation of collections. It includes aspects of  collection documentation, collections care, recommending accessions and deaccessions, assisting in grant writing, making public presentations, writing interpretive and descriptive texts, assisting as directed with the archival holdings of other state entities, participation in staff and professional meetings, assisting with exhibit development, and working with colleagues and the public.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Oversees or manages the comprehensive documentation of relevant collections and effective transfer of data to museum databases or informational repositories.
  • Monitors and addresses archival collection conditions and storage requirements, and works with museum staff to identify and consider any conservation treatment or repair.
  • Researches collection materials and potential acquisitions for authentication, attribution, and interpretation.
  • Helps identify and acquire, with the involvement of the museum director, collections staff, and the museum collections committee, appropriate materials for accession into the museum’s archival collections, identifies materials for possible deaccession, and recommends loans.
  • Participates in aspects of exhibit development and installation, and in the conception and delivery of educational programs.
  • Researches and writes labels and texts for exhibits, publications, and other presentations, with supervision and editing as needed.
  • Manages staff research library.
  • Assists in the development of grant proposals and in identifying sources for possible museum support.
  • Assists researchers with inquiries.
  • Supervises, as directed, museum volunteers, students and interns.
  • Attends relevant internal staff and committee meetings and represents the museum at external professional conferences and meetings.

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Experience or training in museum work or archival management.
  • Basic knowledge of American history required, knowledge of Maine or world history a plus.
  • Should be familiar with, or have the clear capacity to quickly acquire, knowledge of museum professional standards and principles of basic archival management.
  • Must be able to perform research and compile, analyze, and interpret data.
  • Must be able to write clearly and well, especially in connection with public interpretation of materials; must be able to make informative and organized verbal presentations.
  • Must be able to sustain excellent and collaborative realtionships with colleagues and others, and work cooperatively and effectively on collaborative projects.
  • Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in using Microsoft office products, and have knowledge of or capacity to learn use of archival databases (the museum uses Re:Discovery and its modules).
  • Must support institutional activities and mission with appropriate loyalty and professional discretion.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The position exists to manage and develop the archival collections of the Maine State Museum. These collections may include letters, diaries, legal and other documents, photographs, broadsides, printed and manuscript ephemera, advertising and marketing items, institutional and business records, books, periodicals, and moving images and sound recordings. The position will also manage the museum’s small staff research library.

Person in the position must have ability to independently move museum materials weighing up to 40 pounds, and be sufficiently mobile to discharge normal curatorial duties, including using ladders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, preferably in a field related to the work of a museum engaged in the preservation and interpretation of historical and cultural materials. A master’s degree preferred
  • Two (2) years’ experience or training in museum work or archival management required. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

BENEFITS

The value of State’s share of Employee’s Retirement:  14.47% of salary for BU positions.  The value of State-paid Dental Insurance:  $14.31 biweekly.  The value* of State-paid Health Insurance:

  • Level 1: 100% State Contribution (employee pays nothing):  $461.75 biweekly
  • Level 2: 95% State Contribution (employee pays 5%):  $438.66 biweekly
  • Level 3: 90% State Contribution (employee pays 10%):  $415.58 biweekly
  • Level 4: 85% State Contribution (employee pays 15%):  $392.49 biweekly

*The level of the actual value of state paid Health Insurance will be based on the employee’s wage rate and status with regard to the health credit premium program.

To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link. 

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