Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

UTEP is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 172 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

The Centennial Museum is an academic support and outreach unit of The University of Texas at El Paso focusing primarily on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert. It promotes and shares knowledge and understanding of the natural diversity of the region and its people. The museum meets its responsibilities through the presentation and curation of the permanent collections, including the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. Furthermore, the museum promotes the scholarly research of UTEP students, faculty, and alumni, and supports the general mission of The University of Texas at El Paso.

Hiring Department: The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens

Posting End Date: Open until filled.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date:  01/02/2025

Salary: $43,234 annually.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position’s essential functions.

Summary:  The Curator is responsible for overall management of the Centennial Museum’s collections, including database upkeep, research requests, and inventories. This position also curates the museum’s exhibits, both temporary and permanent, researching topics and writing exhibit text for in-house exhibits and working with third party curators on outside exhibits. He or she works with other staff members, student assistants, and contracted personnel, to accomplish this.

Directs activities concerned with the instruction, acquisition, exhibition, safekeeping, research, and public service objectives of the museum.

Manages the Permanent Collections, maintaining donor and object record files; processes objects into the permanent collections via standard accessioning and cataloging methods; photographs and digitizes collections and records; monitors security of building and other collections areas; manages the museum’s resource library; works with

Facilities Services to coordinate work in collections areas.

Maintains database and all records pertaining to the collection.

Coordinates all incoming and outgoing object loans. Maintains all paperwork with permanent loans.

Maintains contact with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Texas Historical Commission regarding collections held in trust.

Develops and updates key museum policies, including a collection management policy, acquisition and deaccession policy, and disaster preparedness and emergency response plan.

Maintains artifact condition reports.

Assists in the direction and supervision of students, staff, volunteers, and interns in the handling, mounting, care, and storage of objects and other special projects as needed.

Works with and assists the UTEP Biodiversity Collections on their collections as needed.

Assists University offices such as Heritage House, Institutional Advancement, and others as appropriate, with museum-related matters.

Provides outreach to the UTEP community and the general public by conducting special tours, giving presentations, assisting with visitor inquiries, responding to research and publication questions.

Coordinates with the Director and/or Curators to install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts’ safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the setup.

Oversees the installation and removal of temporary exhibits.

In collaboration with the Director, plans for traveling exhibits.

Develops in-house temporary exhibits, researching the storyline, writing text, and working with outside experts as appropriate.

Participates in writing of grants to secure funding related to museum collections and exhibits.

Travels as appropriate to represent the museum at professional conferences and workshops.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education: Bachelor Degree.

Experience: Five years of experience, related to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Master’s Degree.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Ability to work in confined spaces such as collections rooms. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds.  Special vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The noise level for this work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP’s Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.