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Index/Position No.:                             21610/241380                                     Level 5

Position Title:                                      Assistant Collections Manager

Department:                                        Natural History Museum at Gray Fossil Site

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the Collections Manager of the Natural History Museum for assisting in providing care for all aspects of the museum’s collection and ensuring its security, safety, preservation, and care; coordinating donations, gifts, loans, and purchases; accessioning of objects, including numbering and photographing; cataloging and data entry; organizing and maintaining accession records, files and databases; installing and de-installing exhibitions; assisting in the coordination and supervision of research visits and collection tours; transporting exhibitions; inventorying; researching and developing informational material including brochures and publications; and training other employees, student workers and volunteers.

Essential Functions

-          Assists in training and supervising all museum collections personnel including employees, student workers, volunteers, and visitors to ensure security, safety, preservation and care of the collection.

-          Manages preventative conservation and cleaning of objects.

-          Provides care and security of museum collections including cleaning, monitoring environmental conditions, and location tracking.

-          Assists in preparing all objects to be housed in museum, organization of museum storage, assembly of shelving and creation of shelving mounts and boxes.

-          Manages the use and inventory of archival supplies and materials.

-          Coordinates donations, gifts, loans, and purchases; accession of objects, including numbering and photographing; cataloging and data entry; organization and maintenance of accession records, files and database to ensure proper care and documentation of collection.

-          Manages packing and transportation of traveling exhibition, loans, and objects.

-          Works with Collections Manager, director, and museum staff on installation, de-installation, and maintenance of exhibitions.

-          Assists in preparation and implementation of collections management policies and accreditation standards for the museum.

-          Participates and prepares possible acquisitions for the Collections Committee to review and takes minutes of each committee meeting.

-          Assists in yearly inventory.

Secondary Functions:

-          Participates in all museum education, exhibition and public programs.

-          Participates in museum related meetings, professional service, teaching and similar activities.

-          Researches and developments informational material including publications, flyers and web content.

-          Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge and Abilities

-        Knowledge of basic object conservation.

-        Knowledge of accessioning and cataloging processes.

-        Knowledge of interpersonal and communication skills , as well as the ability to work both independently and in a busy team environment.

-        Knowledge of conservation methods.

-        Knowledge of proper object handling.

-        Knowledge of and ability to use collections management software.

-        Knowledge of hygro-thermographs, light meters, and other data logging devices.

-        Ability to assist with installing and de-installing exhibitions.

-        Ability to communicate effectively.

-        Ability to set priorities, take initiative, work independently and manage large projects efficiently.

-        Ability to use a digital camera.

-        Ability to move 45 lbs., work in confined spaces and tolerate occasional adverse conditions.

-        Ability to construct object storage supports.

-        Ability to pack objects for transportation.

-        Ability to monitor pest activity.

-        Ability to use basic construction tools, such as drills, hammers, etc.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision.  Supervises volunteers and students.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in natural sciences, i.e., geology, geography, Museum Studies, or related field.  Three years experience working in collections management in a museum, gallery, or related environment.

May 2008