Assistant Registrar

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

20h•$56,000 - $62,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Registrar reports to the Museum Registrar and the Museum Director and leads the ISAC Museum's imaging and rights and permissions program. The role produces still images and video of the collections for the online database, catalogs, and ISAC's public media channels. It also manages internal and external image requests, along with the archival and administrative work those requests involve. The Assistant Registrar develops and enforces the policies that govern how collection imagery and publications are used, monitors the use of copyrighted material, and keeps thorough records. The position also supports the wider Registration Department with loans, exhibitions, classes, transit, and storage. That includes helping register objects from ancient West Asia and North Africa: assigning numbers and labels, rehousing objects, entering records in the collections database, and photographing objects. The role also helps shape policies on loans, accessioning, and deaccessioning.

Requirements

College or university degree in related field.
2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in museum collections management.
Familiarity with copyright, image licensing, and rights and permissions practices.
Knowledge of photography, including digital photography.
Proficiency with photo editing software, including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
Familiarity with collections management software platforms.
Prior experience at a nonprofit, museum, or archaeological institute, or in similar organizations.
Excellent organizational and task-management skills.
High attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to handle confidential information with the utmost discretion and tact.
Strong interpersonal and technical skills.
Ability to work in a busy, diverse setting and manage multiple activities and priorities simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Manages daily internal and external photograph requests, integrates images into the online database and website, and coordinates archival digitization upon request. Registers all images in the collections database.
Produces still images and video of the collections for ISAC’s online database, catalogs, and media channels.
Manages ISAC’s rights and permissions policies and monitors the use of copyrighted museum and archives collection imagery and publications.
Develops and implements photo request and rights and permissions procedures, ensures compliance, and maintains a robust recordkeeping protocol for image requests and permissions.
Registers and documents collection objects, including numbering, labeling, rehousing, and cataloging objects in the collections database.
Supports loans and object movement. Helps coordinate the safe movement of collections for loans, exhibitions, and classes. This includes preparing condition and location records, tracking objects in transit, and helping implement policies on loans.
Monitors storage conditions for temperature, humidity, and pests, maintaining the related logs, and reporting problems to the Museum Registrar and Conservation staff.
With moderate guidance from others, implements procedures to ensure compliance with museum policies.
Analyzes and interprets loans, including preparing and reviewing loan budgets and contracts, shipping, and insurance.
Performs maintenance of storage areas, collection records and databases with a moderate level of guidance and direction.
Performs other related work as needed.