Museum Collections Management Jobs in Washington

Description The position will be a member of the Historic Resources Division and will report to the Historic Resources Manager. Work is performed under the general direction of the Historic Resources Manager, who retains final approval authority over accessioning, deaccessioning, and loan decisions. Work includes occasional evenings, weekend, and holiday hours when required for city meetings, site programming, special events, exhibition installations, or project coordination.

Regular schedule is Monday - Friday. The position supports the care, documentation, preservation, and exhibition of the City's museum and archival collections across all historic sites, including the Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center, Historic Blenheim, and the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House. Examples Of Duties Leads the day-to-day care, documentation, and long-term preservation of the City's museum and archival collections, including historical objects, archival materials, furnishings, decorative arts, and other collections associated with City historic sites in accordance with established collections management policies and professional museum standards.

Catalogs and maintains accurate records for collections objects and archival materials using the City's collections management system. Ensures documentation follows accepted museum standards and professional best practices. Coordinates collections inventories and ongoing collections assessments to ensure accountability, proper storage, accurate documentation, and preservation of museum holdings.

Recommends acquisitions, accessioning, deaccessioning, incoming and outgoing loans, and prepares associated documentation in accordance with established collections policies and professional museum standards for review and approval by the Historic Resources Manager. Monitors environmental conditions in exhibition and storage spaces and implements preventive conservation measures to support the long-term preservation of collections. Supports digitization initiatives and improves public and staff access to collections records, archival materials, and digital assets.

Coordinates the preparation and installation of temporary and permanent exhibitions at City historic sites and the Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center, under the direction of the Historic Resources Manager or other assigned exhibition lead. Researches and coordinates the booking and logistics of traveling exhibitions and outgoing loans, subject to approval by the Historic Resources Manager. Prepares exhibition materials, including object mounts, case layouts, labels, graphics, and installation logistics in coordination with the Historic Resources Manager and other staff.

Collaborates with Historic Resources staff on exhibition planning, artifact selection, historical research, and interpretive content development. Responds to internal and external research inquiries related to the City's museum and archival collections. Assists with the development and maintenance of collections management policies, procedures, emergency preparedness plans, and professional standards.

Trains and supervises volunteers and interns assisting with collections of documentation, inventories, digitization projects, and exhibition preparation. Works collaboratively with Historic Resources staff to support exhibitions, educational programming, special events, and public access to historic resources. Assists with collections movement, storage improvements, artifact handling, exhibit maintenance, and other preservation activities as needed.

Performs related work as assigned. The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications Requires a Master's degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, American Studies, Archival Studies, or a closely related field. Three years of progressively responsible experience in museum collections management, curatorial work, archives management, or closely related professional museum experience. Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of museum collections management principles, registration practices, cataloging standards, and preventive conservation techniques.

Knowledge of professional museum standards, ethics, and best practices related to collections care, documentation, exhibition development, and collections stewardship. Knowledge of archival management principles, records preservation, and digitization practices. Knowledge of exhibition planning, design, preparation, installation, and object handling techniques.

Knowledge of American, Virginia, and Fairfax history, with the ability to apply historical research to collections management and exhibition development. Knowledge of environmental monitoring practices and preservation methods for museum collections and archival materials. Ability to maintain accurate and detailed collections records using museum collections management software and related databases.

Ability to conduct historical and object-based research using primary and secondary source materials. Ability to safely handle, pack, transport, store, and exhibit museum objects and archival materials using accepted preservation practices. Ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple collections, exhibition, and preservation projects simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.

Ability to prepare written reports, exhibit labels, collections documentation, and other professional correspondence. Ability to train, supervise, and work effectively with volunteers, interns, contractors, and consultants engaged in collections and exhibition activities. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, researchers, volunteers, partner organizations, and the general public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, community organizations, professional colleagues, and members of the public. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment while maintaining confidentiality, security, and accountability for museum collections. Ability to perform administrative and organizational work in support of division operations.

Additional Desirable Qualification: Experience with museum collections management software such as PastPerfect, TMS, EMu, or similar collections databases. Experience planning and installing museum exhibitions. Experience with museum digitization projects and digital asset management.

Experience working with volunteers, interns, and community partners. Experience with grant-funded collections, preservation, or exhibition projects. Experience handling and caring for a wide variety of historic artifacts and archival materials.