Account/Position No.:                21850/502570                             Level 7
Position Title:                             Collections Manager
Department:                               B. Carroll Reece Museum

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 Director of the Reece Museum for supervising all aspects of the museum’s collections including ensuring its security, safety, preservation and care; coordinating all donations, gifts, loans and purchases; supervising cataloging and data entry; organizing and maintaining accession records, files and databases; accessing objects including numbering and photographing; planning and conducting presentations and lectures to the public; installation and de-installation of exhibitions; coordinating and supervising research visits and collections tours; transporting exhibitions; maintaining inventory; training and supervising non-exempt employees, student workers and volunteers; seeking funding opportunities for the B. Carroll Reece Museum including conducting research and writing grants; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

-           Supervises all museum collections personnel including non-exempt employees, student workers, volunteers, visitors and researchers.                     

-           Manages preventive conservation and cleaning of objects.

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

-           Conducts annual inventory.

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

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

-           Provides training to staff, students and volunteers while ensuring collection security, safety, preservation and care.

-           Coordinates donations, gifts, loans and purchases.

-           Coordinates accession of objects including numbering and photographing.

-           Supervises cataloging and data entry.

-           Organizes and maintains accession records, files and databases to ensure proper care and documentation of collection.

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

-           Works with the Director, B. Carroll Reece Museum, and the museum staff concerning design, manufacturing and implementation of exhibitions.

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

-           Researches, prepares and photographs objects for publications, exhibitions, web content and grants.

-           Seeks funding opportunities for the B. Carroll Reece Museum including writing grants.

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

-           Plans and conducts presentations and lectures to the public.

-           Participates and prepares possible acquisitions for the museum’s Collections Committee to review including taking minutes of each committee meeting.

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

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

Secondary Functions

-        Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-        Knowledge of basic object conservation

-        Knowledge of accessioning and cataloging processes.

-        Knowledge of 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 work both independently and in a busy team environment.

-        Knowledge of Appalachian culture, history and art.

-        Ability to construct object storage supports.

-        Knowledge of proper object handling and experience.

-        Knowledge using Past Perfect Software.

-        Knowledge of packing objects for transportation.

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

-        Ability to monitor pest activity

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

-        Knowledge of cleaning artifacts, works of art and conservation of textiles.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision. Determines own methods of performing assigned work.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or a related field; and three years experience working in collections management in a museum, gallery or related environment.

 

August 2007