Collections Assistant- Historic Equipment Collection

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Collections Assistant to accession, re-house, and curate its historic equipment collection. The assistant will work closely with the EMS Museum curator to inventory historic equipment 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. Some duties, including outreach, may be assigned as needed.

The EMS Museum collection includes 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. While occasional work in the campus gallery may be possible, 95% of project tasks take place at the off-campus collection storage facility.

Requirements

• 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.
• Basic computer and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Background in museum curation or historic science equipment, or an interest in learning.
• Strong interest in museum collections care and management.

Responsibilities

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

What This Job Offers

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