Collections Specialist, Photographs [End-Dated]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art•New York, NY

1d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Photographs at The Met is devoted to the study, collection, and exhibition of photography and time-based media from 1839 to the present. Established as an independent curatorial department in 1992, the Department of Photographs houses a collection of more than 90,000 works as well as the archives of three American artists: Walker Evans, Diane Arbus, and James Van Der Zee. In 2025, the Department's collection of late-twentieth century and contemporary photography and time-based media was greatly expanded with the acquisition of The Walther Collection. The landmark gift comprises more than 6,500 photographs, including exceptionally important works from Africa and Asia, as well as related nineteenth and twentieth-century vernacular photography. As the Collections Specialist, you will work in collaboration with Associate Collections Manager and the Walther Collection Curator in the Department of Photographs. You will be responsible for departmental needs surrounding the unpacking and processing of The Walther Collection. You will Create and update object location records, assisting with processing and rehousing, scheduling and organizing object photography, creating and maintaining object files and cataloging works in the collection. This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 1 Year

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in art history or related field required, emphasis on history of photography preferred.
One to three years of collections care experience required, preferably in a museum or cultural institution
Demonstrated ability as a competent, detail-oriented, proactive professional with the ability to work well under deadlines, problem solve independently, and work within a team
Strong knowledge of photographic practice and/or history
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage time and multitask
Ability to create and maintain precise records
Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required
Ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in collections management, museum studies, art history, or related field preferred.
Fluency with TMS or other collections management systems strongly preferred
Fluency with project management systems, such as Workday and JIRA, strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Organize and assist with the unpacking, moving , and rehousing of the Walther Collection: includes coordinating with technicians, photo conservation, and curator.
Oversee the daily schedule for staff at UOVO
Create object locations and maintain/update location records as Walther Collection works are unpacked
Coordinate conservation checks and object/catalogue photography
Create and maintain records in The Museum System (TMS)
Compile and maintain collections documentation associated to the project, both digitally and in physical files.
Assist with cataloguing of the Walther Collection
Respond to Walther collection inquiries
Work with the collections and conservation teams to order supplies and materials
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
Free financial-planning services
Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
25% discount for staff in Museum shops
A subsidized staff cafeteria
Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions