Collections Assistant

Norman Rockwell Museum•Stockbridge, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Norman Rockwell Museum illuminates the power of American illustration art to reflect and shape society, and advances the enduring values of kindness, respect, and social equity portrayed by Norman Rockwell. Equity Goals NRM embraces the values of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion to create a successful workplace and a more equitable society. Our mission embodies these values. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of identities, experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the more successful the organization, its employees, and our work in the world will be. Norman Rockwell Museum is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to equity and inclusion. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Norman Rockwell Museum is a drug-free workplace. The Position Reporting to the Archivist and Collections Manager, The Collections Assistant is a three-year Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant funded position as part of the NRM’s “Preserving the American Visual Story" project. This project will focus on the following subset of the NRM collection: 1,000 works of art; 2,500 published ephemera including magazines, tear sheets, and books; 1,000 items of photographic materials (mostly prints); 500 items of supporting ephemera, including sketch pads, diaries, and correspondence.

Requirements

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Must be able to understand and use highly technical computer equipment and systems, in particular a variety of databases, and be familiar with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel and Word as well as position specific programs such as Silverfish, Adobe Suite of Programs and basic CAD skills.
Ability to solve complicated and practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.
Exhibits excellent decision-making skills, judgment and adaptability.
Maintains a customer service orientation and is a team player.
Valid driver’s license.
B.A. in art history, museum studies, library science, or equivalent, plus a minimum of three years’ experience in a collections role in a museum setting is required.
Familiarity with collections management, inventory, cataloging, object handling, and digitization.
Knowledge of collection management databases, and photo-editing software.
Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
Specific vision abilities include color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Responsibilities include on-call with the ability to respond to various situations essential.

Nice To Haves

Masters in some aspect of collections management, museum studies, library sciences, or other humanities field preferred.

Responsibilities

Inventory, catalog, research, condition report, rehouse, label, and create contextual materials and background information for the objects to be identified by this project, to ensure each work is properly identified, described, and institutionally recorded in preparation for responsible digitization.
Flag objects that need additional research into provenance.
Flag objects that would benefit from additional cultural and contextual research.
Flag objects that need rehousing.
Flag objects that need conservation.
Create and update computerized records in the collections management system, EMu, and the online public portal, IMu; as well as updating the physical acquisition files.
Ensure and oversee that object handling is in accordance with best practices and standards within the museum field.
Ensure and oversee the safe digitization of selected materials.
Conduct regular permanent collection inventories; maintain internal and external records relating to object movement for grant activities.
Assist with the creation of social media content to support and share grant-related activities.
Assist the Curatorial team to utilize the newly cataloged and digitized materials for inclusion in exhibitions and related educational products and programs.
Follow and update the EMu cataloging style guide to ensure sustainability of project efforts.
Work with seasonal curatorial interns on cataloging and research projects for the Rockwell Center for Illustration History.
Consult with scholar advisors, the Chief Curator, and the Chief of Curatorial Affairs to ensure accurate contextual descriptions for selected collections.