Collections and Exhibitions Technical Specialist

Summary

Job Category:
Arts Administration and Operations
Job Title:
Collections and Exhibitions Technical Specialist
Job Category Definition:
This category encompasses administrative positions involved with the planning and/or implementation of artistic vision and strategic goals for a specific area(s) or venue(s). Arts administrators direct, create, and/or support the presentation of visual and/or performing arts. This category also encompasses operations positions involved with the presentation, management, and/or interpretation of permanent collections and/or exhibitions of objects in museums, galleries, or other venues; and positions involved with design fabrication or the presentation and/or production of the performing arts.
Job Title Definition:
The Collections and Exhibitions Technical Specialist facilitates and implements management and documentation of museum collections and/or development and presentation of exhibitions; responsibilities may include collections management, care, and registration of permanent collections and acquisitions and/or the development, design, preparation, and installation of permanent collection displays and temporary exhibitions. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title. 
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

There is currently no Level 1.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ARTS0202 G Non-Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years of related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Assist in any aspect of museum operations as required such as preparation of exhibitions, collections processing, preparation of objects for storage or display, or exhibition design and fabrication
  • Assist in setup, assembly, and maintenance of collections storage areas, exhibition spaces, or galleries in accordance with museum and curatorial standards
  • Assist in maintaining and updating collections or other pertinent databases
  • Perform specific tasks that are components of exhibition design, construction, and installation or collection management, storage, and maintenance

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ARTS0203 H Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher; Master’s Degree preferred

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Perform museum operations and specific tasks as required such as development, design, and preparation of exhibitions or collection management, storage, and maintenance of artwork, artifacts, and objects in storage or on display
  • Prepare exhibition concepts, design plans, and identify exhibition furniture and environmental conditions for display of artifacts, artwork, and objects in accordance with established museum standards
  • Maintain and update collections database and relevant information on location, condition, exhibition schedule, etc. of permanent collections and temporary loans
  • Coordinate planning and specifications for scheduled exhibitions; organize and assist with logistics such as shipping, handling, and insurance of exhibition pieces in accordance with curatorial guidelines and standards
  • Maintain collections storage and care or exhibition design and construction materials inventory; order or purchase supplies according to established department procedure
  • Assist with processing collections including registering, accessioning, cataloguing, packing, unpacking, maintaining inventory, and documentation
  • Maintain professional contacts, memberships, and internal and external networking opportunities
  • Coordinate assigned tasks of students, hourly wage employees, and volunteers working with collections management or exhibition design and installation

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ARTS0204 I Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Education & Experience

6+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher; Master’s Degree preferred

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Oversee museum operations and specific tasks as required such as development, design, and preparation of exhibitions or collection management, storage, and maintenance of artwork, artifacts, and objects in storage or on display
  • Maintain exhibition concepts, design plans, and identify exhibition furniture and environmental conditions for display of artifacts, artwork, and objects in accordance with established museum standards
  • Review and update collections database and relevant information on location, condition, exhibition schedule, etc. of permanent collections and temporary loans
  • Oversee planning and specifications for scheduled exhibitions; organize and assist with logistics such as shipping, handling, and insurance of exhibition pieces in accordance with curatorial guidelines and standards
  • Oversee collections storage and care or exhibition design and construction materials inventory; order or purchase supplies according to established department procedure
  • Plan and coordinate design and production of museum exhibitions and displays or management, care, and housing of museum collections
  • Establish and maintain written policies and procedures on handling, conservation, safety, preservation, storage, and use of museum permanent collections and temporary loans in storage or on display
  • Assist in research and writing of grants
  • Determine and implement most effective packing and shipping methods or permit and insurance requirements for collections, exhibitions, artwork, artifacts, or objects coming into or going out from museum or gallery
  • Prepare and present lectures or workshops regarding collections management or exhibition design and development
  • Maintain professional contacts, memberships, and internal and external networking opportunities
  • Train and supervise students, hourly wage employees, and volunteers in museum standards relevant to area of assignment

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ARTS0205 J Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environment consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Education & Experience

4+ years of related experience

Master’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Manage museum operations such as development, design, and preparation of exhibitions or collection management, storage, and maintenance of artwork, artifacts, and objects in storage or on display
  • Oversee exhibition concepts, design plans, and identify exhibition furniture and environmental conditions for display of artifacts, artwork, and objects in accordance with established museum standards
  • Prepare budgets for maintaining and upgrading design, exhibition, or collections storage materials, furniture, and supplies
  • Oversee maintenance of collections database and relevant information on location, condition, exhibition schedule, etc. of permanent collections and temporary loans
  • Oversee planning and specifications for scheduled exhibitions; organize and assist with logistics such as shipping, handling, and insurance of exhibition pieces in accordance with curatorial guidelines and standards
  • Oversee collections storage and care or exhibition design and construction materials inventory; order or purchase supplies according to established department procedure
  • Establish, edit, and write policies and procedures on handling, care, conservation, safety, preservation, storage, and use of museum permanent collections and temporary loans in storage or on display
  • Oversee most effective packing and shipping methods or permit and insurance requirements for collections, exhibitions, artwork, artifacts, or objects coming into or going out from museum or gallery
  • Research, write, and present lectures, workshops, papers, or courses on collections management or exhibition development and design
  • Perform grant writing for submission on behalf of the work unit
  • Maintain professional contacts, memberships, and internal and external networking opportunities
  • Supervise assistants, students, hourly wage employees, and volunteers in relevant area of assignment

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.