Curator of Collections & Exhibits

Department: Museum

Salary Range: $51,746 - $63,389 Annually

Location: Cañon City, CO

Job Type: Full-time exempt

Position closes: Open Until Filled

The City of Cañon City is seeking an energetic professional to oversee the management of the diverse collection for the Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center. This individual will collaborate with other museum staff, volunteers, and interns as well as engage with the public.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversees the management of the museum’s collection of artifacts, including accessions, catalog records, handling, transportation, storage, and preservation of the collections. Maintains accurate records, databases, and inventories of all materials in storage, on exhibit, and/or loan.
• Conducts research into local history and on artifacts with the collection for interpretation purposes and for establishing provenance and for the development of exhibit narratives.
• Develops, designs, and installs long-term and temporary exhibits, and works closely with the Museum Director, the Multimedia Technician, and the Education Coordinator in creating interactive display components for exhibits.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, schedules, and assigns collection-related tasks or projects for museum volunteers and interns.
• Assesses collection storage needs and makes recommendations to the Museum Director on purchasing archival supplies or equipment.
• Processes and keeps accurate records on all incoming and out-going loans, including cleaning, condition reports, and proper storage or display.
•  Sets the schedules for routine cleaning of the collection storage areas and exhibit galleries in coordination with the Archives Librarian and oversees the museum’s integrated pest management program and manages the museum’s environmental monitors.
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow up as needed.
• May act on behalf of the Museum Director in their absence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences: 

• Knowledge of museum best practices of collections management and procedures (i.e. accessioning, preservation, cleaning, storage, handling, processing, digitalizing, transporting, displaying, and deaccessioning).

• Knowledge of processing and handling federal or state archaeological and paleontological collections.
• General knowledge of American, Colorado, and/or local History
• Familiarity with resources and references available for effective management of museums.
• Knowledge of computerized museum and/or archives cataloging systems. (Proficient with PastPerfect Museum Software preferred)
• Skilled in standard computer design programs (i.e. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) and standard office equipment including personal computers, word processing applications, database applications, printer, fax, copier, shredder, telephone, and calculator.
• Strong customer service skills are necessary to communicate with others, solve problems, demonstrate patience and understanding and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction at all times.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Ability to plan, fabricate, and install exhibits.
• Skilled in researching and surveying collections, ownership verification, descriptive information, and history.
• Skilled in processing incoming and existing collections according to professional standards, including cleaning, documenting, and properly storing.
• Knowledge of digitizing and managing photograph collections.
• Skilled in acquiring, arranging, cataloging, and maintaining museum collections.
• Skilled in answering telephones, organizing files, sending letters, and preparing cash deposits.
• Ability to respond to research requests.
• Ability to maintain basic financial/statistical records and compiling standard statistical reports.
• Ability to train staff and volunteers.
• Knowledge of purchasing supplies and equipment.
• Ability to assist in researching, writing, and managing grants.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, government officials, vendors, and the public.

Minimum Qualification(s):

Knowledge of

• Museum collections management practices and procedures (i.e. accessioning, preservation, cleaning, storage, handling, processing, digitalizing, transporting, displaying, and deaccessioning).
• Proper tools and supplies for the care, numbering, storing, and preservation of collections objects, documents, and photographs.
• Research methods, techniques, and resources.
• General office practices and organization.
• Knowledge of proper cash handling processes.

Ability to

• Communicate both orally and in writing.
• Conduct public presentations.
• Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines and budgets.
• Demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Exhibit excellent customer service skills to all visitors, potential donors, and patrons to the museum.
• Learn new technologies, techniques, software programs, and new information.
• Operate a variety of museum-related and office equipment, including computers, digital camera, printer, digital scanner, telephone, photocopier, digital audio recorder, microfilm reader, matte cutter, exhibit fabrication tools, artifact care instruments, digital environmental monitors, vacuum, and small hand tools.
• Exert a small amount of physical effort involving prolonged sitting, walking, or moving from one area of the museum campus to another, and standing for periods of time.
• Perform semi-skilled repetitive movements such as filing, and data entry.
• Climb ladders or step stools, bend, or stoop to pick up and move objects or containers, and push or pull carts.
• Work irregular hours including weekends and some evenings, when required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or related field.
• Three (3) years curatorial management experience at a public/non-profit museum facility.
• Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.
• Experience with museum collection databases, such as Past Perfect Museum Software, preferred.
• Experience in creating interpretative panels using design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, preferred.
• Experience in organizing, designing, and installing exhibits and caring for a wide variety of different artifacts/objects using museum best practices in collection stewardship.
• Experience scheduling, working with, and training volunteers and interns on a variety of collection related or exhibit installation projects.

Licenses/Certifications

• Must have and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license.

Full Job Description and to Apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1844939

List of Benefits:

https://www.canoncity.org/DocumentCenter/View/1677/Benefit-Summary-Outline-2023?bidId=