Job Listing: Curator of Collections & Exhibitions

Lynchburg Museum System - Lynchburg, VA

Closes - February 29, 2024, 11:59 P.M. 

Position Title - Curator of Collections & Exhibitions

Compensation - $41,600–$55,000 annually 

Job Type - Full-time (40 hours per week)—Exempt 

Apply - Please visit the website to apply.

Summary - The Curator of Collections and Exhibitions (CCE) is responsible for providing primary curatorial support for the Museum Director, Lynchburg Museum System (“LMS”), Lynchburg Museum Foundation (“Foundation”), and Lynchburg Office of Economic Development and Tourism (“OEDT”). The CCE supports other museum staff members and volunteers to ensure effective and efficient daily operation of the Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House and Point of Honor. 

Job Responsibilities -

Collections Management

• Perform registration (recordkeeping), research, and care/handling work to maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date records and to ensure the physical welfare of the LMS object and archival collections
• Manage the digital collections database to ensure accuracy, completeness, and public access
• Oversee collections storage areas and maintain them in good order
• Work collaboratively with other LMS staff, board, and community stakeholders to determine the suitability and feasibility of incoming accession materials in keeping with the LMS mission
• Make retention recommendations concerning material objects and archival documents

Exhibitions Management

• Oversee exhibition galleries and other display spaces (e.g., Point of Honor, City Hall) and maintain them in good order
• Work collaboratively with other LMS staff, board, and community stakeholders to develop and facilitate exhibitions, including short-term displays and long-term installations
• Write exhibition copy, labels, scripts, articles, blogs, and other texts related to LMS collections
• Maintain records pertinent to exhibitions (e.g., loan forms, facility reports)

Miscellaneous

• Facilitate access to the LMS material objects and archival collections by scholars and researchers
• Respond to research inquiries
• Give gallery tours and assist with programs and special events as needed
• Provide training to other LMS staff and volunteers

Additional Job Functions

• Participate in professional development opportunities and continuing education
• May be required to perform a variety of duties in support of high level organizational projects, as a back-up to other staff, or in response to weather-related and other emergencies
• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position may supervise one other staff member, as well as volunteers and interns.

Qualifications -

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM

• Bachelor’s degree in American history with an emphasis on the history of Virginia and/or the South, museum studies, archival studies, and/or library science/library information science. Three or more years of museum/archives experience in museum operations and archival processes, demonstrating increasing professional responsibility. Combination of education and work experience will be considered.
• Familiarity with the professional standards and ethics endorsed by the American Alliance of Museums, American Association for State and Local History, and Society of American Archivists.
• Experience with handling material objects collections and/or archival collections in various conditions. This includes storage of materials as well as installation of exhibitions.
• Experience with material collections, archives, and digital asset management systems (preferably Re:discovery Proficio or similar software). Familiarity or experience with scanning and photographing material objects and archival materials for use in records and publications (online as well as print).Experience performing research with primary sources and sharing original research via publications, digital posts, and/or verbal presentations at conferences or similar venues.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work within deadlines. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Good writing skills. Good verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at LMS, local municipal offices, and similar nonprofit museums and archives in the region.
• Ability to interact positively and productively with members of the general public and researchers.
• Intermediate Microsoft Windows 10–11 computer operating system skills.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office software skills, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint programs.
• Intermediate experience with Google Workspace, especially Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Calendar apps 
  

PREFERRED

• Graduate degree or progress towards a degree in American history, museum studies, archival studies, or library science/library information science.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in museum and archival processes, with experience in digital collection management systems utilized by museums and archives with historical holdings.
• Experience in applying for grants and working with grant-funded projects.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
• Criminal background check
• Possession of valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria

Physical Demands
The physical demands 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.

• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
• Specific vision abilities include close vision and ability to adjust focus
• Other requirements regarding talking, hearing, lifting and vision are dependent on work assignments.
• Occasionally work outdoors

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

• Work is normally performed in an office environment with low-to-moderate noise.
• Occasionally work involves school-aged children (pre-school through 12th grade).
• Occasionally work involves exposure to fumes or airborne particles.