Museum Collections Manager

Description:

The Kentucky Museum Collections Manager serves as the primary point of contact for all interactions relating to the Museum's object collection. This individual will proactively guide the maintenance, stewardship, and continuous improvement of the Kentucky Museum's collection, in accordance with established collections plan(s) and policies and serves as the primary point of contact for interacting with and interpreting the collection for the public. The position is supported by a museum assistant, and co-supported by the Exhibits Technician and Exhibits Preparator. The Museum team stays active in professional development and engages with professional organizations at the state and national level through memberships, conference presentations, workshop attendance, publications, etc.

The responsibilities and duties of this appointment include but are not limited to:

Interacts with potential donors, making recommendations to the Collections Committee on possible acquisitions, and processing all paperwork related to acquisitions.
Leads effort to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the collection, develops plan(s) or procedures for addressing such, and implementing said plans, which may include but are not limited to targeted deaccessioning and accessioning.
Oversees the acquisition, processing, housing, preparation, maintenance, and deaccessioning of Museum collections.
Coordinates the paperwork and logistics related to incoming and outgoing artifact loans and loan exhibitions, including packing and unpacking, shipping arrangements, condition reporting, and insurance coverage.
Maintains legal documentation and records for the collection, including insurance, and maintains all collections management policies, procedures, and plans in collaboration with the Museum Director.
Maintains the security and stability of the collection, including record keeping, conservation, condition reporting, and environmental conditions during processing, housing, exhibitions, loans, and programs. This also includes continuation of the Museum's multi-year Preservation Environment Improvement Plan, in collaboration with internal and external colleagues and consultants.
Serves as chief liaison for the collection with internal and external stakeholders to include oversight of all reference and collections access requests from WKU faculty and students, researchers the public, and outside institutions.
Collaborates with internal colleagues to support exhibitions and public programs and oversees prep work of collections objects prior to their going on exhibit or out on loan.
Oversees research, cataloging, photographing, and digitization of the collection, including entering data into the museum's collection management software (PastPerfect).
Coordinates use of collection database system, ensuring standards are maintained, and serves as liaison with software vendor for tech support and training.
Develops and delivers presentations to area civic, professional, and community groups as well as to affiliated local, regional, and national professional groups, and is responsible for teaching on- and off-campus classes and programs that involve the use of Museum Collection objects that are not on exhibit.
Curates exhibits and provides support to the Exhibits Curator, guest curators for in-house generated exhibits, Education Curator, WKU faculty, and guest speakers in the presentation of public programs, and serves as integral participant in in-house exhibition development, including research, curation, and artifact preparation..
Supervises and provides professional development of interns, volunteers, work study students, temporary hires, and graduate assistants assigned to Museum Collections, and directs the use of the collection by WKU faculty and students via close study and other instructional programs.
Chairs Museum Collection Committee and serves on other museum committees as appropriate.
Collaborates with the Development Coordinator. with grant writing and administration for grants relating to the Museum Collection.
Performs occasional weekend and evening work related to museum exhibits and programs.
Performs other duties as needed.
Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success:

Strong interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational/problem-solving skills; detail-oriented; skilled in organizing work and managing time; and ability to complete tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail.

Job Requirements:
Master's degree in Museum Studies, Public History, History, or Folklore.
Minimum two years' experience working with museum object collections as a primary component of responsibilities.
Knowledge of and experience with best practices and museum standards for the processing, handling, packing, housing/storage, numbering, physical and environmental security, and transport of a variety of object types.
Proficiency with a DSLR camera (or similar) and photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop Elements).
Demonstrated knowledge of museum collection management software.
Supervisory experience
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
Able to climb ladders and lift up to twenty pounds unassisted.
Able to work occasional evenings and weekend, as needed.
Have a current driver's license.
May occasionally be required to travel in- and out-of-state relating to collections management and accessions.