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Museum Collection Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Retail Associate

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$16.50 - $18.75/hr

Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum's collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F.

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How much do museum collection jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum collection in California is $19.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum collection?

A Museum Collection job involves managing, preserving, and organizing artifacts, artworks, or historical objects in a museum. Professionals in this role handle cataloging, storage, conservation, and sometimes exhibition planning. They ensure proper documentation and environmental conditions to protect items for future generations. The job may also involve research and collaboration with curators, historians, and other museum staff.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a museum collection professional?

Professionals in Museum Collection roles typically spend their days cataloging new acquisitions, updating collection records, monitoring environmental conditions, and assisting with the safe handling and movement of objects. They may work closely with curators, conservators, and educators to prepare materials for exhibitions, facilitate research access, and support loan agreements with other institutions. Regular tasks also include condition reporting, inventory audits, and digital data entry to ensure the integrity and accessibility of the collection. These varied responsibilities allow for a dynamic and engaging work environment, especially for those passionate about art, history, or cultural heritage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a museum collection role?

To thrive in a Museum Collection role, you need a background in art history, museum studies, or archival science, with strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Familiarity with collections management systems (such as TMS or PastPerfect), digital cataloging, and proper handling, conservation, and storage techniques is critical. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills help individuals manage collection tasks and collaborate across departments. These abilities ensure collections are accurately documented, preserved, and accessible for exhibitions and research.

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Infographic showing various Museum Collection job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,127 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Retail Associate

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Museums and Historical Sitesย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$16.50 - $18.75/hr

Part-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling.ย  Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum's collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas's filmmaking career.ย 
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Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, cafe, retail store, and community spaces.ย 
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POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Retail the Retail Associate serves as a key ambassador of the museum brand, delivering an elevated guest-centered experience within a thoughtfully curated retail environment. This role combines exceptional customer service with strong sales support, engaging visitors through meaningful storytelling, guiding purchases with intention, and ensuring every interaction reflects the artistry and mission of the museum.ย ย 

With a strong command of POS operations, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, the Retail Associate ensures seamless transactions,ย visually engaging merchandising standards, and a boutique experience that extends the museum journey beyond its walls.ย 

This position requires morning availability, and may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

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RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Serve as first point of contactprovidingย aย welcoming,ย attentiveย and personalizedย retailย experience thatย anticipatesย guest needs andย supports exceptional serviceย 

  • Engage guests with product knowledge, connecting merchandise to exhibitions, artists, and cultural narrativesย 

  • Operate POS systems with accuracy and discretion, ensuring a smooth, polished transaction experienceย 

  • Upholdย highย merchandising standards, ensuring displaysย areย aesthetically balanced, and aligned withย theย museum standardsย andย brandย ย 

  • Supportย pricing, packaging, and inventory accuracyย with strong attention to detail,ย thoughtfulย presentationย and careย 

  • Respond toย guest inquiries and concerns with professionalism, confidence, and thoughtful solutionsย 

  • Collaborateย with team members to achieve sales goals while preserving a cohesive, elevated, guest centeredย environmentย 

  • Support opening and closingย procedures,ย whileย maintainingย aย polished, inviting, andย retail space aligned withย the museum's visual standardsย 

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Customer-facingย and/or sales experience inย premiumย retail, hospitality, cultural, orย service- oriented,ย high-touch environments preferred; open to all experience levelsย and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to applyย 

  • Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high-volume setting with elevated guest service standardsย desiredย 

  • Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building,ย andย conversionย techniquesย 

  • Understanding of retailย operations, includingย inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systemsย 

  • Proficiencyย in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plusย 

  • Experience with cash handling procedures and compliance.ย 

  • Strong attentionย toย detail, with the ability toย maintainย visually compelling, gallery-inspired merchandising displaysย 

  • Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presenceย 

  • Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilitiesย 

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, andย special museum programs, exhibitions, and eventsย 

CORE COMPETENCIES
  • Analytical Rigor:Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, andidentifyingbest-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, asappropriate, into the decision.ย 

  • Courageous Communication:Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals.Values diverse input and working with othersย as a way toย achieve the best output possible.ย 

  • Collaborative Excellence:Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences.Identifiesothers' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, andvaluesfeedback from team, peers, and leaders.ย 

  • Adaptive Resilience:Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.ย 

  • Inclusive Interaction:Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered toparticipateand contribute freely.ย 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of thoseย requiredย to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.ย ย 

  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 8 hours per shift.ย ย 

  • Ability to move throughout multiple Museum locations, including galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and other public areas.ย ย 

  • Ability toย maintainย an active and visible presence while providing exceptional guest service.ย ย 

  • Ability to work in a high-volume, public-facing environment with large groups of guests, including school groups, tours,ย special events, and peak attendance periods, whileย maintainingย professionalism, situational awareness, and composure.ย ย 

  • Ability toย frequentlyย bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed.ย ย 

  • Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 25 pounds, including wheelchairs, stanchions, signage, guest service equipment, and other operational materials.ย ย 

  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests and colleagues in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio.ย ย 

  • Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions.ย ย 

  • Ability toย maintainย awareness of guest activity and surrounding conditions whileย monitoringย galleries, queues, and public spaces.ย 

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Customer-facing and/or sales experience in premium retail, hospitality, cultural, or service- oriented,ย high-touch environments preferred; open to all experience levels and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to applyย 

  • Must have morning availability, and may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.ย 

  • Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high-volume setting with elevated guest service standards desiredย 

  • Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building, and conversion techniquesย 

  • Understanding of retail operations, including inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systemsย 

  • Proficiencyย in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plusย 

  • Experience with cash handling procedures and compliance.ย 

  • Strong attentionย to detail, with the ability toย maintainย visually compelling, gallery-inspired merchandising displaysย 

  • Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presenceย 

  • Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilitiesย 

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, andย special museum programs, exhibitions, and eventsย 

$22 - $24 an hour
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.
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The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.
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MISSION AND VISION
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.ย 
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VALUES
Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.
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People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.
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Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
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Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.ย 
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STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ...