Exhibit Preparator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

ABOUT US

For more than a century the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) has served as the state's collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects and shared its vast collection through thought-provoking, interactive museum exhibitions that make history visible and accessible for all ages. Three floors of permanent and traveling exhibitions feature objects and archival materials from our collections and explore the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Oregon. 

OHS practices and promotes inclusiveness. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. We are, furthermore, committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit the following materials at: Oregon Historical Society - Exhibit Preparator 

Cover letter addressing how your personal and professional experiences have prepared you for this position

Resume

Employment is contingent on passing a background check.

SUMMARY

The Exhibit Preparator assists the exhibits production team in the timely preparation, construction, installation, and de-installation of museum exhibitions as assigned, including temporary, traveling, and permanent exhibits. This is an on-call, as needed position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists exhibition production team in transitions between exhibitions, including preparing gallery by spackling and painting, light carpentry, sanding, and moving exhibitry. 
2. Installs/deinstalls exhibition components including but not limited to, walls, floors, display cases, text panels, photographic murals, vinyl wall treatments, and object mounts.
3. Constructs and assembles exhibit components and furnishings, including but not limited to props, temporary walls, furniture, fabrication of custom object mounts, as directed by Exhibit Production Manager and/or other museum staff. 

JOB DUTIES

• Coordinates and cooperates with OHS staff, contractors, other temporary help, and vendors to meet exhibit deadlines.
• Handles collection materials during retrieval, installation, and storage with equal concern for object and human safety      regardless of monetary value of item under the supervision of the Exhibits Production Manager or museum collection staff. 
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with      coworkers, visitors and volunteers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum high school graduate or GED equivalent. Three-to five years of experience in finish grade carpentry and/or cabinetry and/or exhibition production, with minimum of three to five years in museum environment preferred.
• Must be highly skilled in use and care of hand and power tools, and working with a variety of materials - wood, glass, plastic, paint, metal, and adhesives.
• Position requires knowledge of appropriate methods of exhibiting collection materials, including mounts and lighting.
• Must be familiar with construction and material standards to produce exhibits that ensure safe, secure, and appropriate exhibit environments for visitors and collection materials. 
• Knowledge of safe work practices for hazardous materials and understanding of MSDS literature is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Has general computer job skills including logging on to systems, ability to communicate by email, ability to compose documents, enter database information, create presentations, download forms, and preserve/backup important data.  

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds unassisted. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must use proper care and handling of fragile and/or large objects. Ability to move heavy objects with mechanical assistance (moving jack, van, etc.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level for this position is moderate to loud. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, such as dust or paint. The employee is occasionally exposed to a risk of electric shock.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

The OHS has adopted a policy where all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Employees may request an exception from vaccination because of a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs from the HR department. New employees must submit proof of vaccination or a valid exception request by their first day of work.