Curator of Collections

Sul Ross State University•Del Rio, TX

About The Position

The CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS has a multi-dimensional role at the Museum of the Big Bend, essentially responsible for being a) the primary contact point and researcher at the MOBB for questions relating the history of the Big Bend region; b) maintaining, safeguarding, managing, studying, recording and interpreting the cultural and historical artifacts, documents, maps and other ephemera in the collections at the MOBB ; and c) utilizing those collections, including the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection, to help educate students and the general public in matters related to the history and unique nature of the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico. Along with being knowledgeable about the history of the Big Bend region and the collections at the Museum of the Big Bend, including the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection, the CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS is also responsible for: Organizing, developing, interpreting, displaying and promoting local and traveling exhibits that showcase the collections at the MOBB and the history of the Big Bend region. Training docents and conducting educational tours and public programs at the MOBB . Collaborating with other MOBB staff in promoting the museum’s goals. Helping students and researchers utilize the MOBB Collections. Maintaining the Accession Logs, Donor Files and associated collections documents at the MOBB , including those required by Sul Ross State University and the Texas Historical Commission. On the Sul Ross campus, maintaining a professional working relationship with the Chair of the History Department, the Head Archivist at the Archives of the Big Bend and the Director at the Center for Big Bend Studies. Working with local and regional historical organizations and commissions, including the Texas Historical Commission, the Brewster County Historical Commission, the Chief of Interpretation at both Big Bend National Park and the Fort Davis National Historical Site, Historic Alpine, and the Texas Map Society. Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the collections spaces associated with the MOBB . Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the public exhibit spaces in the main gallery at the MOBB Heritage (1936) building. Supervising MOBB student workers. Act as the Safety Officer and Security Officer at the MOBB . Assist the Director and other MOBB staff in all the general day-to-day running of the museum, including fundraising and promoting the museum. Occasional weekend and evening work required. While performing the duties of this job, the Curator of Collections will often be required to stand, sit, walk, reach up, reach out, reach down, bend down, stoop, kneel, crawl, climb stairs and ladders, lift or handle heavy and odd-sized objects. They must also be able to use hand and power tools, speak or talk loudly, hear, work in confined spaces, have good depth perception, and not be afraid of heights. Be familiar with and able to wear and use all appropriate personnel safety gear. Responsible for personal safety and the safety of others; must exercise due caution and practice safe work habits at all times.

Requirements

knowledgeable about the history of the Big Bend region and the collections at the Museum of the Big Bend, including the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection
be able to use hand and power tools
speak or talk loudly
hear
work in confined spaces
have good depth perception
not be afraid of heights
Be familiar with and able to wear and use all appropriate personnel safety gear
Responsible for personal safety and the safety of others; must exercise due caution and practice safe work habits at all times.

Responsibilities

Organizing, developing, interpreting, displaying and promoting local and traveling exhibits that showcase the collections at the MOBB and the history of the Big Bend region.
Training docents and conducting educational tours and public programs at the MOBB .
Collaborating with other MOBB staff in promoting the museum’s goals.
Helping students and researchers utilize the MOBB Collections.
Maintaining the Accession Logs, Donor Files and associated collections documents at the MOBB , including those required by Sul Ross State University and the Texas Historical Commission.
On the Sul Ross campus, maintaining a professional working relationship with the Chair of the History Department, the Head Archivist at the Archives of the Big Bend and the Director at the Center for Big Bend Studies.
Working with local and regional historical organizations and commissions, including the Texas Historical Commission, the Brewster County Historical Commission, the Chief of Interpretation at both Big Bend National Park and the Fort Davis National Historical Site, Historic Alpine, and the Texas Map Society.
Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the collections spaces associated with the MOBB .
Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the public exhibit spaces in the main gallery at the MOBB Heritage (1936) building.
Supervising MOBB student workers.
Act as the Safety Officer and Security Officer at the MOBB .
Assist the Director and other MOBB staff in all the general day-to-day running of the museum, including fundraising and promoting the museum.