Museum Curator

Job Summary

About the Role

Collier County seeks a professional to support its museums through a variety of tasks, including enhancing awareness of collections, responding to research requests, maintaining the research library, and managing museum facilities.

Responsibilities

• Enhances awareness of museum collections with both internal and external audiences.
• Responds to research requests from the public, media, and museum staff; conducts research, verifies accuracy of information, serves as a community expert on local history.
• Maintains museum’s research library holdings and extensive vertical files; ensures collections are balanced and provides guidance in weeding materials from collections; shifts books when necessary.
• Maintains an electronic database of the Museum’s collections, uses the database to create online public access to Museum collections.
• Accepts and processes requests for photographic reproductions of Museum collection items.
• Works with purchasing specialist to draft request for proposals (RFP), sits on selection committee, and administers financial paperwork for significant capital projects and contractual agreements.
• Monitor museum facilities for condition and maintenance needs; routinely updates American Alliance of Museum Facility Reports.
• Monitors status of project in progress, inspects and documents completed work, reviews and approves invoices, processes charge orders, if necessary; provides direction, guidance, and assistance to contractors and work crews.
• Receives and installs traveling exhibits; moves and unpacks crates and exhibits cases; sets up exhibit’s cases and object labels.
• Handles artwork and/or graphic panels.
• Uploads historic photographs, maps, and documents with software to maintain the museum’s online archive.
• Uploads historic photographs and information to the County’s SharePoint system.
• Cleans exhibit cases and gallery area.
• Registers and documents all donor contact.
• Organizes all aspects of borrowing, lending, and acquiring objects.
• Processes incoming and outgoing material, and all requests for rights, publication, and reproduction.
• Evaluates new acquisitions to collection; receives and catalogs all new acquisitions to collection; records details concerning history, provenance, and condition of each object; supervises the removal of objects that have no relevance to the collection plan.
• Works with all aspects of the media, prepares press releases; responds to photographic requests and reproductions; works with the public and other County divisions in reproducing historic photographs.
• Performs minor repairs and conservation on objects, polishes exhibit cases.
• Tends to historic buildings and structures; contacts repairpersons as needed.
• Supervises major exhibition installations; offers design suggestions to Division Director; prepares objects to go on exhibit; assists in designing the layout of exhibit cases.
• As Assigned To Museum Education Plans, presents, and evaluates museum programming; plans age-appropriate programs; writes grants and reports; research program ideas; ensures programs are meeting learning objectives; aligns with Florida State Standards and higher order thinking.
• Develops receives and teaches volunteer training classes on various subjects, and develops, revises, and teaches classes to patrons on various topics.
• Represents the County and Museum in the community; speaks to groups.
• Oversees the Museum Division’s marketing program and assures sales, events, and marketing initiatives align with the Division’s mission and educational message.
• Oversees the Museum Division’s volunteer program.
• Provides customer service, answers customer inquiries and comments; identifies and informs staff and the public with respect to museum programs, services, events, fees, procedures, forms, and other issues.
• Generates and increases program and event revenue as well as attendance; promotes programs to project positive public image.
• Develops curriculum for summer programs and camps; adjusts as needed.
• Writes and prepares programming guide, self-guided and guided tours, lesson plans, and individual museum informational guides.
• Meets tour groups and provides a short introduction before tours.
• Creates individual activities for school tour groups.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts educational programs at the Museum; conducts educational programs outside the museum.
• Responds to requests for information from customers through in-person, telephone, fax, e-mail, or written correspondence.
• Promotes better understanding of museum interpretive programs through public speaking to visiting public and outreach to community groups.
• Sets up for outdoor exhibits and programs; assembles special exhibits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three (3) years of related experience.
• Candidates without a degree should possess four (4) additional years of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.

Qualifications

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.

Skills

• Knowledge of museum operations and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with photography and digital archiving.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.

Benefits

Collier County BCC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. For more information, please visit our benefits page.

Pay

The salary offered reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages. New employees are hired at or near the entry point shown, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.

Schedule

Essential Employees may be required to work various shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.