Collections Assistant- Historic Equipment Collection

Penn State University • University Park, IL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Collections Assistant to accession, re-house, and curate the EMS Museum’s historic equipment collection. The assistant will work closely with the EMS Museum curator to inventory the collection in storage and on exhibit, verify object locations, identify housing and storage needs, create digital images as needed, and create or update collections management database records. Outreach duties may be assigned as needed.

The EMS Museum collections include earth materials, mid-century industrial art, and historic scientific equipment and research and education tools. The primary work location is the Special Services Building, approximately three miles from the main Penn State campus. The facility is not accessible by bus, bike, Catabus, or walking, so the employee must provide their own transportation. This is not a hybrid position. Although there may occasionally be work in the exhibition gallery, approximately 95% of project tasks take place in the off-campus collection storage facility. Compensation is $15 per hour for 5–19 hours per week. Employment requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Requirements

• Background in museum curation or historic science equipment, or an interest in learning.
• Ability to navigate new software platforms.
• Ability to conduct research using print and online sources.
• Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail for prolonged periods.
• Ability to read cursive writing and write legibly.
• Strong interest in museum collections care and management.
• Basic computer and communication skills.
• Must supply own transportation to the primary work location.

Responsibilities

• Accession, re-house, and curate the historic equipment collection.
• Conduct a detailed inventory of the historic equipment collection in storage and on exhibit.
• Confirm the accuracy of object locations.
• Identify object housing and storage needs.
• Create digital images of objects as needed.
• Create or update collections management database records.
• Perform outreach duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed