Museum Registrar (35668)

Position Summary

The Registrar is responsible for the management and daily operations of the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum’s (ACCM) general collections. Reporting to the Head of Collections & Curatorial and, when designated, the Assistant Head of Collections & Curatorial, the Registrar is responsible for the professional care, daily management, maintenance, and providing access to the Museum’s collections, including its organization, preservation, and proper storage/housing. Additionally, the Registrar will assist in the exhibition planning and implementation process for all museum exhibitions and incoming and outgoing loans. As an integral part of the team, performs other duties as assigned in support of Collections & Curatorial Departmental efforts and those of other Tribal departments when assigned.

About the Role

• Inventory and Database
  • Conducts periodic physical inventory of collections and ensures that inventory is current.
  • Runs database reports, correcting inaccuracies, adding information when needed.
  • Digitizes accession records and uploads to database when absent.
  • Maintains accurate records (digital and paper) of all accessions, loans, transfers, conservation treatment, movement, and damage/loss.
  • Prepares the collection database for migration to new software.
• Procedures and Policies
  • Reviews and updates General Facility Reports and insurance reports annually.
  • Affords assistance in the development of Disaster Preparedness Policies and Procedures.
  • Updates and maintains the Disaster Preparedness Plan as needed.
  • Creates and administers Integrated Pest Management and Housekeeping Plans.
  • Schedules, organizes, and assists with Collections Committee Meetings.
  • Affords assistance in generating SOPs, forms, templates, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations as needed.
  • Trains staff and volunteers on Objects Handling and Emergency Preparedness.
• Exhibitions, Loans, and Accessions
  • Produces, administers, and maintains records, documents, and database relating to permanent collections and loaned objects.
  • Performs object provenance research and facilitates rights and reproduction requests.
  • Assists in the development of exhibition plans and implementation processes.
  • Oversees all in-coming and out-going loans and acts as liaison with borrowers and lenders.
  • Handles arrangements for packing, unpacking, and shipping of collections and exhibitions.
  • Affords assistance in all facets of exhibition installation, including: lighting, unpacking/packing of artworks, local transportation/storage of crates, painting, label copy, and other signage.
  • Directs and tracks internal object movement and object handling for loaned and permanent collections.
  • Routinely inspects exhibition locations within the organization, and performs condition reports.
• Collections Care
  • Maintains safe, secure, clean, and well-organized collections storage spaces.
  • Manages emergency supplies for collections.
  • Affords assessment and purchase of collections storage and registration materials and supplies.
  • Maintains records of climate conditions in exhibition and collections areas.
  • Liaises with HVAC monitoring and service techs to resolve issues.
  • Schedules monthly maintenance of the HVAC units, and other necessary equipment.
  • Knows best practices in collection management including the handling, care, preservation, installation and storage of material culture.
  • Affords assistance in conservation treatment when needed, ensuring cultural considerations.
  • Affords assistance in mount making for objects.
  • Affords assistance in research and preparation for moving the collection to a new facility.

Qualifications

• Preferred Education and Experience Requirements:
  • Working knowledge of standard museum collections management practices and procedures, including object handling and cataloguing.
  • Experience with digital photography and Photoshop.
  • Experience with audio/visual collections and the care associated with those collections.
  • Must have advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office, database management and familiarity with Collection Management Systems (such as PastPerfect).
  • Understanding of all aspects of installation and removal of exhibits, including creating condition reports, packing objects and coordinating and supervising shipping of collection items, and loans.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies or related field, with experience working with collections (Native American artifacts, historical artifacts).
  • 5 years’ experience working with collections (Native American artifacts, historical artifacts) and managing collections in a museum setting.
  • Extensive knowledge of Southern California Indigenous cultures and culturally relevant collection/handling practices.
  • Familiarity working with tribal governments and community members.
  • Valid California driver’s license.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit, stoop, stand for extended periods of time, lift heavy containers (50 lbs.) and handle fragile items.
• Visual acuity and ability to work at computer for extended period of time.
• Occasional travel from office to storage areas.

Working Environment

• Ability to work in a window-less office.
• Typically the individual will be housed in an office environment and will frequently work in the climate-controlled vault with slightly lower than average temperatures, and may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.