Assistant Collections Manager

Mount Vernon•Mount Vernon, VA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Collections Manager (ACM) is a part-time, non-exempt position that shares with the other Assistant Collections Managers, the responsibility for the cleaning and monitoring of George Washington’s Mansion and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center outside of public hours. These responsibilities include the general cleaning of exhibition spaces and the specialized handling of collections objects, many of which belonged to George Washington and his family. The ACM also assists in maintaining collection documentation and assists members of the collections department with special projects, such as object inventories, exhibition installation, and movement of the collections. This position reports directly to the Collections Manager.

Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Museum Studies, Conservation or a related field.
Prior museum experience highly preferred, especially in the dusting and handling of fragile, valuable objects.
Must be able to successfully complete MVLA training on the care and handling of historic artifacts.
Knowledge of methods of historical research, museum practices, and basic collections care.
Strong computer and records management skills, including word processing and database management.
Good organizational and communication skills and ability to work in coordination with a number of other departments.
Excellent hand skills and attention to detail in order to perform precise and detailed duties, like sewing and labeling. Legible handwriting is required.
Experience with hand tools, power tools, pallet jacks and various other equipment preferred.
Ability to meet tight deadlines and to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as assigned.
Willingness and ability to travel locally, nationally, and potentially internationally including possessing a current, valid driver’s license.
Dependability, reliability, and punctuality are of the utmost importance.
Ability to follow directions and complete assignments successfully.

Nice To Haves

Prior museum experience highly preferred, especially in the dusting and handling of fragile, valuable objects.
Experience with hand tools, power tools, pallet jacks and various other equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the daily morning cleaning and monitoring of the Mansion and North and South Dependencies and the occasional cleaning of other outbuildings.
General Cleaning: Vacuums traffic areas; Rotates shutters according to schedule.
Specialized Dusting/Vacuuming: Dusts a variety of types of historically significant artifacts, including metals, ceramics, furniture, textiles, and other fragile object types, using methods approved by the conservation profession. Carefully handles and moves objects in the course of dusting.
After a training period, assists with monitoring the environmental conditions in display and storage areas and records environmental readings through the use of hygrothermographs and HOBOs.
Assists with ongoing maintenance of a pest management program in the exhibition areas. Monitors pest traps and reports potential problems.
Assists collections staff with collections management activities such as maintenance of accession and loan files, the accession of artifacts, proper documentation of incoming and outgoing objects, inventories, object numbering, and object re-housing projects.
Assists collections staff in the movement of objects, both on the estate and off-site. Serves as an approved object courier for incoming and outgoing loans of artifacts. Under the Collection Manager’s supervision and according to department procedures, carefully handles and packs artifacts for transit.
Researches and enters collection object information into collections management database system.
Supports collections staff during the installation and deinstallation of on-site and traveling exhibitions and object rotations in the Museum and Mansion.
Works closely with interpretation and security staff to monitor the safety of objects displayed in the Mansion, Museum, and Outbuildings. Reports damage, according to departmental policies, to the Conservator and files report with Collections Manager. Serves as an active member of the collections department emergency response team.
Serves as a liaison with the marketing department during film and photo shoots in the Mansion and other exhibition areas where objects are displayed. Ensures the safety of collections objects and structural components of the interior of the Mansion during filming and photography.
Works with Operations and Maintenance staff and outside contractors when work needs to be performed in the vicinity of collections objects.
Carries out additional duties as assigned.