Museum Registrar

About the role

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is an agency of the State of Oklahoma and a private membership organization governed by a Board of Directors. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. The OHS was founded on May 27, 1893, by members of the Territorial Press Association. In 1918 the OHS was relocated to the State Capitol, and in 1930 moved to the Wiley Post building. In 2005 came the opening of the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Over the years the OHS has developed numerous collections, programs, research centers, museums, historic homes, and military sites across the state.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the museum’s collections database, Argus, ensuring accurate records of artifacts, including provenance, condition, and location.
• Ensure compliance with museum policies and legal requirements related to collections, including copyright, loans, acquisitions, and deaccessions.
• Process objects into the permanent collection via standard accessioning and cataloging methods.
• Assist with providing collections management support for OHS museums and sites.
• Assess potential donations, in collaboration with Director of Museum Collections, Deputy Director, OHCM Director, OHCM Curator, Research, and OHS site directors.
• Assist in overseeing inventories, including periodic audits of the collection, including loans.
• Assist in a full collections review regarding cultural sensitivity.
• Maintain meticulous documentation, including acquisition records, gift agreements, loan agreements, and conservation reports.
• Work with the Director of Museum Collections to coordinate incoming and outgoing loans, including generating loan agreements, managing loan schedules, and providing support for insurance arrangements, artifact packing, and transportation.
• Conduct condition reports for objects (incoming and outgoing loans, items going on exhibit, objects entering the collection, etc.).
• Monitor environmental conditions in galleries and storage areas to ensure optimal preservation of the collection.
• Frequently inspect, clean, and maintain collections storage spaces.
• Collaborate with Director of Museum Collections and conservators to address conservation needs.
• Supervise collections interns, volunteers, and part-time (999s), as needed and appropriate.
• Assist in generating reports related to collections (board committee meetings, quarterly and annual reports, etc.).
• Monitor the collections care supplies and make recommendations for resource needs.
• Communicate proactively, maintaining a professional demeanor and positive attitude and proposing solutions to problems as they arise.
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance in order to successfully perform the duties of the job.
• Follow all museum policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of professional museum standards and best practices, including registration methods, accessioning, deaccessioning, cataloging, coordinating loans, location and inventory control, safe object handling and storage, packing and shipping, security measures, and IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
• Strong organizational and data management skills, with keen attention to accuracy and detail.
• Excellent research skills and ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in collections management software (Argus), Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to set and meet deadlines and manage multiple projects, ensuring quality and timely deliverables.
• Exceptional problem-solving, interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Pay

$42,000-$48,000 annual salary per year

Schedule

Full time