Assistant Registrar & Conservation Technician

Los Angeles County Museum Of Natural History Foundation • Los Angeles, CA

12h • $24 - $26

About The Position

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects—used for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, and community engagement. From NHM’s opening in 1913 as the very first museum in Los Angeles, the organization has entered an exciting new era of transformation with building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach and impactful audience engagement.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking an
Assistant Registrar & Conservation Technician
for our
Research & Collections
department.  The
Assistant Registrar & Conservation Technician
works on record-keeping for the museum’s acquisitions and loans. Updating, maintaining, and communicating Registrar’s policies and procedures. Assisting the Chief Registrar and Head of Conservation on projects, as needed. Preventive care of artifacts and specimens within the Museum’s collections. Carries out other database and collections care projects as needed and/or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, ideally in a collections-related field (e.g. Museum Studies, History, Archeology, Anthropology, sciences, or conservation).
• Demonstrated knowledge of museum registration methods and collections care experience, including museum best practices. Familiarity with museum packing and shipping procedures for collections/loans is a plus.
• Minimum two years of experience and skill in artifact/art/specimen/object handling.
• Ability to operate a computer using various Microsoft Office and its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint functions (PC and/or Macintosh), Adobe Acrobat, and Google Workspace cloud-based software. In some situations, telecommuting is possible and may be necessary when access to the Museum is restricted.
• Excellent oral and written communication with ability to write reports, technical documents, procedural manuals, and business/professional correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to proofread documents. Strong team work and interpersonal skills to work closely with Museum Professionals.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of digital photography and image editing programs is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with relational databases such as Microsoft Access, Axiell EMu Collections Management Systems or other collections management databases.

Responsibilities

• Registrar, Conservation, and Collections Documentation: Maintains Registrar and collections records, including using the Axiell EMu Collections Management System. Scans and enters Registrar files into the database as part of an ongoing digitization project; cleans up existing data, records, and physical files as necessary under the direction of the Chief Registrar and the Manager, Database and Reports.
• Registrar’s Policies and Forms: Assists the Director, Research & Resources, Chief Registrar in setting and distributing Registrar policies and procedures for the documentation and use of the collections and loans, managing risks to objects, and establishing best practices within NHMLAC; designing and/or revising paper and electronic forms; and communicating these policies and procedures to R&C, e.g., via training sessions, meetings, email, etc.
• Exhibition Support: May assist Chief Registrar and/or Manager, Conservation Services in maintenance and monitoring collections and loans on display during the installation/deinstallation of exhibitions.
• Object Movement: Assists in the crating, packing, moving and storage of objects and specimens. Constructs custom boxes and/or other housing for objects to prevent damage during handling, storage or transport.
• Participates in Department, Division and program meetings as appropriate. Provides input as needed. Participates as appropriate on cross-department Museum teams and workgroups. Represents the Registrar’s Office, as needed. Other duties as assigned by the supervisors depending on organizational needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level