Collections Coordinator – Spurlock Museum
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Spurlock Museum seeks a colleague with a talent for collections care and preservation, a love of world cultures, and a passion for engaging the public with museum collections, exhibits, and experiences. We value a strong commitment to ethical practices in cultural heritage management, creative thinking, and enthusiasm for collaborative work. The successful candidate will enjoy working in an environment that promotes innovation and experimentation and be dedicated to making the Spurlock Museum a welcoming and inviting space for our community. The Spurlock Museum team is a diverse and talented group of museum professionals that promote transparency, thoughtfully dismantle traditional gate-keeping museum practices, prioritize reparative practices, and centers diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in our work.
Job Summary
Supervise the day-to-day activities of the museum Artifact Preservation Center (APC) and assist the Senior Collections Manager with physical management and preservation of the Museum’s collections. Assist the Senior Collections Manager and Assistant Collections Manager, as necessary. Play a key role in exhibition installation and developing & teaching Museum programs, while keeping with professional standards as advocated by the American Association of Museums. Support Museum efforts to engage with source communities, amplify marginalized voices, and foster empathy through positive and effective interactions with diverse cultures.
Duties & Responsibilities –
Oversee day-to-day aspects of physical collections management and preservation within the APC and off-site storage facilities including:
ï Supervise APC staff members daily tasks including artifact movement, tracking, placement, and preservation ï Hire, provide leadership, train, assign and review work, address work issues, approve timecards, set work schedules and goals for student staff, other students, and interns ï Train and supervise APC staff in the flow of appropriate paperwork and artifact storage methods ï Co-lead Artifact Handling Training for new museum staff ï Ensure security, tracking, transportation, and proper storage and handling of art and artifacts within the APC, off-site, and throughout the museum ï Oversee business and preservation aspects of art and artifacts related to transportation of collections outside of the museum ï Oversee administrative actions involved in the inspection, evaluation, documentation, and preservation of art and artifacts. ï Perform conservation treatments of collections under the direction of the Senior Collections Manager ï Construct storage supports and mounts for art and artifacts ï Organize collections storage facilities to maximize efficiency ï Facilitate activities as related to the overall appearance and environment of APC and off-site storage and associated equipment such as storage units, carts, vacuums, brushes and other supplies
Development and instruction of museum programs and courses including:
ï Co-lead university and public programming events ï Co-instruct select lab sections in IS573: Preservation of Museum Artifacts ïCoordinate with Academic Programs Coordinator in developing interactive university class experiences in the Museum ï Retrieve and consult on the layout of artifacts used in public programs and university class visits
Assist with exhibit fabrication and installation including:
ï Design, construction, and installation of exhibit mounts and display hardware ï Maintain, clean, and repair exhibit furniture and casesï Coordinate access to collections for exhibit research/preparationï Maintain gallery and exhibit spaces in accordance with exhibition best practices
Manage administrative responsibilities including:
ï Prioritize and manage APC workflow, work stations, and equipment based on staff schedules ï Primary coordinator of Collections Section part-time staff schedules ï Primary liaison and disseminator of communications with Collections Section part-time staff ïCoordinate daily activities of the APC with other museum sections ï Coordinate and provide access to museum collections for University faculty, classes, curators, and other researchers ï Compile, write, and perform staff performance evaluations ï Oversee payroll and time reporting for all Collections Section part-time staff ï Write and edit training manuals, administrative documents, and grants ï Represent the Collections Management section at staff and committee meetings ï Compile reports and statistics for the purpose of annual reports, research, and grants ï Participate in Museum-wide planning, goal setting, and evaluation efforts ï Assist with coordination of security in the APC and off-site storage facility ï Assist with evaluation and implementation of the Museum emergency plan ï Represent Collections Section on Marketing and Social Media Committee ï Active responder for building emergencies at both museum and off-site storage facilities 24/7 ï One of four museum staff with access to high security storage spaceï List Emergency Response role of Lead Preservation Supervisor / Secondary Relocation Coordinator and duties ï Serve on campus and community committees related to Museumís mission
Minimum Qualifications –
- Bachelorís degree required in Museum Studies, Anthropology, History, Art History, or another field related to the Museumís collections
- Three years of experience in collections preservation and management, one year of which was at an administrative level
Preferred Qualifications –
- Collections preservation training & hands-on experience
- Driverís license
Successful candidates will have:
- Knowledge of professional museum standards and practices, especially those related to current theories on museum collection preservation
- An understanding of and commitment to cultural sensitivity, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
- Excellent organizational skills, an affinity for detailed paperwork, problem-solving skills, and demonstrated effective communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to supervise and mentor others. Ability to work harmoniously with faculty, staff, and students from a wide variety of disciplines
Additional Physical Demands
Ability to climb ladders and stairs, stoop, bend, kneel, lift up to thirty pounds, and stand for up to two hours at a time.
Appointment Information
This is a 75% to 100% full-time Civil Service 5010 – Business/Administrative Associate position, depending upon the selected candidate’s preference, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Minimum salary of $46,000 for 100% FTE. Minimum salary for lower FTE will be prorated from $46,000.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 20, 2023. Apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu, use the Apply Now button on the posting and upload a resume/CV (with months and years of employment included) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experiences connect to the Spurlock Museum’s mission, vision, and core values (found here: https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/about/policies/mission-statement.html ). In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Finalists will be required to submit names and contact information for 3 professional references and a selected portfolio of professional work. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact spurlock-business-office@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1014687
Job Category: Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
Categories: Job Postings