Curator of Collections

Classification Title:  Curator of Collections

Location: Heritage Village, 11909 125th Street North, Largo, FL  33774

Re-living the history of Pinellas County at Heritage Village is like a going back in a time-machine through the last century.  Currently we are seeking a Curator of Collections to oversee the museum’s collections.

Museum link:  http://www.pinellascounty.org/Heritage/

Oversees care of the museum’s collections and assists with exhibit curation. For collections care, the curator is the primary point of contact for all aspects of the museum collection. This includes but is not limited to supervising acquisitions, inventorying collections, researching objects, tracking locations, identifying objects, performing remedial conservation, and finding appropriate conservators, database management, writing and tracking condition assessments of objects, and researching objects. Exhibit curation includes but is not limited to researching thematic topics in local history, writing label copy for exhibitions, artifact selection, mount making, exhibition design and layout, and supervising/assisting in exhibit installation. Other areas of responsibility include supervising the museum’s integrated pest management system, volunteer management, research, grant writing, and occasionally providing lectures.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

• Establish and maintain intellectual control over all aspects of the museum’s collections; tasks performed under collections management include cataloging objects, performing routine inventories, monitoring the condition of collections, and developing a rotation schedule for artifacts on exhibit.
• Correct, edit, and add records the museum’s collections database.
• Reviews records to make sure that information is correct and complete for every artifact.
• Tracks donor and donation information related to artifact and archival collections.
• Runs technical reports on the museum’s collections, tracks the status of exhibits and loans; and attaches photographs, condition reports, research notes, and other related items to catalog records.
• Act as the first point of contact with all potential donors wishing to give objects to the museum; I act as the liaison between the county, Pinellas County Historical Society and the donors before, during, and after the donation process.
• Generate and track all paperwork associated with the donation process including creating deeds of gifts, temporary custody receipts, and thank you letters.
• Develop and deliver programs to the public and occasionally at special events on topics in local history or about the collections held at the museum.
• Oversee and meet with collections interns/volunteers.
• Assign project and task related to the management of the museum’s collection such as: photographing and measuring artifacts, assisting in inventories, and updating catalog records.
• Work closely with the volunteers on a weekly basis, as well as throughout the year on special projects.
• Develop, research, write, and implement exhibits on thematic topics relevant to the museum’s mission to “collect, interpret, and preserve Pinellas County history within the context of Florida history;”
• Meet with public stakeholders for specific spaces to garner community support and participation within exhibit spaces.
• Work with professional conservators or contractors.
• Recommend and participate in remedial or preventative conservation steps, such as rehousing objects in acid free boxes, monitoring the environmental conditions of spaces, etc.
• Review, write, and update technical documents related to the care of the museum’s collection.
• Manage the formal collections management policy for the collection as well as artifact handling guidelines for volunteers.
• Oversee and coordinate loan of objects from Heritage Village to other institutions and individuals.
• Write, review, and edit topics in local history.
• Prepare and submit reports to the county and related historical organizations.
• Assist in special events or fundraisers that help benefit the organization and build community support.
• Network, confer, and coordinate with fellow professionals in the museum field.
• Perform other related job duties as assigned.

WHAT DO Y0U NEED:

Experience: Supervising acquisitions, inventorying collections, researching objects, tracking locations, identifying objects, performing remedial conservation.

Degree:  Museum studies and history, art history, public history, anthropology or relevant field.

• 8 years’ experience as described above.
• Associate degree and 6 years’ experience as described above.
• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years’ experience as described above.
• Master degree or higher level degree as described above.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Valid Florida Driver License.

Highly Desirable:

• Knowledge of department practices and policies.
• Skill in the use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Skill in using computers for data entry.
• Skill in using computers for word processing and accounting purposes.
• Ability to supervise, organize, and communicate effectively.

Let Us Tell You What Benefits We Offer!!

• Our benefits rank among the top in the area! Check it out!
• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
• We have tuition reimbursement, wellness, and deferred compensation programs to name a few perks. Check out these and more!

Want to learn more?

Review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands and Working Conditions at the below link.

Curator of Collections