Position Title: Collections Assistant & NAGPRA Coordinator
Department: Collections
Reports to: Director of Collections
FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Salary Range $23-$27 / Hour Commensurate on Experience

Deadline to submit applications for this position is February 7, 2025

SUMMARY

The Collections Assistant & NAGPRA Coordinator supports the Collections team in carrying out core functions of the Department’s projects, such as data entry, inventory, cataloging and digitizing records, in order to improve the overall completeness and organization of the Museum’s permanent collection. They also serve as the primary correspondent and researcher for any NAGPRA- and CalNAGPRA-related activities in the department. Reporting to the Director of Collections, this position will assist in moving forward consistent department directives, such as digitizing collection files and processing new acquisitions, as well as supporting key functions of short-term projects as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist in data entry and cataloging for new acquisitions to the Museum.
• Use accession and loan files to digitize and add crucial information pertaining to the collection objects to the TMS database.
• Upload images and information to the database in support of department projects such as inventory, photography, and collection research.
• At the direction of the Director of Collections, conduct data clean-up projects in TMS to improve the overall digital health and accessibility of the collection.
• Assist Director of Collections and Registrar with coordination of interns and movement of objects as needed.
• Support Registrar to perform regular cleanings of the museum galleries.
• Perform collections inventory and location updates.
• Correspond with Indigenous groups for NAGPRA-related inquiries such as research requests, repatriations, etc.
• Ensure the museum’s compliance with AAM Best Practices.
• Maintain archives on Museum history in collaboration with Collections team as time permits.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Conduct all responsibilities in a safe manner according to regulations (OSHA, IIPP, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• Effective Communication: Effectively express and communicate ideas, both orally and in writing, to ensure Best Practices; listen attentively to information presented by others; clearly express desired outcomes; keep all appropriate parties informed on projects and issues while collaborating for practical solutions.
• Leadership: Motivate and lead by example, provide recognition; welcome the opportunity to lead and successfully deliver; self-confident; take responsibility and accountability for the outcome of work; plan and prepare for all projects; decisively set priorities; formulate goals and establish a course of action; work for the common good, appreciating the views of others; initiate and support changes needed for future growth.
• Personal Interactions: Effectively respond to the needs of internal and external audiences; treat others, including peers, superiors, and volunteers with respect, fairness, and sensitivity.
• Quality of Work: Conform to the highest professional standards in achieving results; ensure work is complete, accurate, on time and cost-effective; lead by example while adhering to the organizational vision.
• Conduct Standards: Keep information confidential, speak honestly and clearly, yet tactfully; consistently respect all of the museum’s policies; display and maintain professional demeanor as a representative of the museum.
• Teamwork / Attitude: Collaborate toward the overall stability of the museum by forming internal partnerships and building/nurturing external relationships.

Education and/or Experience

• B.A. degree in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Art History, or comparable discipline required.
• At least 2 years of experience working in a Collections care environment preferred.
• Previous experience with and knowledge of NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA laws, regulations, and procedures strongly preferred.

Other Skills, Abilities, and/or Training

• Experience with The Museum System (TMS) gallery database software preferred
• Excellent typing and data entry skills
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work within strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be a team player
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent written communication skills (i.e., business letter writing, grammar, etc.)
• Excellent oral communication skills (i.e., ability to deal effectively with others, speak professionally on the phone, etc.)
• Familiarity with industry terms and Best Practices
• Proficient with Microsoft® Office Suite

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time
• Occasionally required to stand for long periods of time
• Regularly required to move about
• Regularly required to climb stairs and/or ladders
• Regularly required to maintain balance while walking, standing, crouching, or running
• Regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Regularly required to reach up and out with hands and arms
• Regularly required to talk, listen, and hear, verbally express information or instructions
• Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
• Regularly required to lift up to 50 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
• Regularly required to push and/or pull up to 50 pounds a distance of 10 feet

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Rarely exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes.
• Regularly exposed to indoor conditions.
• Rarely exposed to extreme noise level.
• Occasionally exposed to chemicals, fumes, dust, or work safety hazards.

The individual is regularly exposed to indoor conditions and moderate noise level; the individual is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes.

Disclaimer

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.

Position Title: Curatorial Assistant
Department: Exhibition
Reports to: Director of Exhibitions
FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Hourly, One Year Contract, Salary Range $21-$27 Commensurate on Experience

SUMMARY

Assists with planning and preparing exhibitions, including developing checklists and labeling text. Conducts research on artwork, artists, and historical events for exhibitions and new acquisitions to the museum. Writes and edits for Exhibitions and Collections Departments publications. Maintains files on featured and permanent collections exhibitions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist with all day-to-day planning and coordination of internal, offsite and traveling exhibitions, including but not limited to exhibition research and data gathering, object list creation, editing in-exhibition and other exhibition-related internal and external text documents, licensing images and multimedia for exhibitions, and liaising with exhibition stakeholders.
• Write or otherwise collaborate with Collections Department and other staff in the creation of exhibition and permanent collections-related content.
• Archive featured and permanent exhibition files and label copy.
• Respond to inquiries about exhibitions and related topics.
• Manage a team of interns and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Conduct all responsibilities in a safe manner according to regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Education and/or Experience

B.A degree or above in Art History, Archaeology, Museum Studies or related field is required; one or more years of museum working experience is preferred.

Other Skills, Abilities, and/or Training

• Ability to work extended hours as needed
• Ability to work weekends, if needed
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work within strict deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills and desire to be a team player
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Excellent written communication skills (i.e. business letter writing, grammar, etc.)
• Excellent oral communication skills (i.e. ability to deal effectively with others, speak professionally on the phone, etc.)
• Sense of creativity
• Familiarity with industry terms and processes
• Proficient with TMS or related software
• Proficient with Microsoft® Office Suite
• Previous supervisory experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time
• Occasionally required to stand for long periods of time
• Regularly required to move about
• Occasionally required to climb stairs and/or ladders
• Regularly required to maintain balance while walking, standing, crouching, or running
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Occasionally required to reach up and out with hands and arms
• Regularly required to talk and hear; verbally express information or instructions
• Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
• Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
• Occasionally required to push and/or pull up to 50 pounds a distance of 10 feet

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

Rarely exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes.
Regularly exposed to indoor conditions.
Rarely exposed to extreme noise level.
Rarely exposed to chemicals, fumes, dust, or work safety hazards.

The individual is regularly exposed to indoor conditions and moderate noise level; the individual is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes

Disclaimer

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.

Position Title: Internship (Bilingual Docent)

Department: Education

Reports to: Vice President of Collections & Programs and Group Tours Associate

FLSA Classification: Volunteer, Unpaid

To Apply: Send Resume: Cover Letter and completed Internship Application to HumanResources@Bowers.org

Proof of Covid Vaccination Required

Summary

The Bowers Museum Internship Program’s goal is to collaborate with talented students from our neighboring colleges and universities to provide them an invaluable hands-on complement to their academic experience while learning to function successfully in a professional museum environment.

Candidates will support Education by engaging visitors and providing educational tours for adults, families, and school and youth groups. We are seeking individuals who are fluent in both English and one of the following languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Hindi.

Essential Functions

• Ability to interact with guests in a personable and friendly manner
• Deep knowledge and understanding on assigned exhibits.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Providing detailed information in one of the following languages: Chinese (Mandarin preferred), Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Hindi
• Duties as assigned
• Conduct all responsibilities in a safe manner according to regulations (OSHA, IIPP, etc.)

EDUCATION

Currently enrolled in college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student. Must commit to a certain number of hours and a specific schedule for a duration of at least 3 months.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time
• Regularly required to stand for long periods of time
• Regularly required to move about
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Occasionally required to reach up/out with hands and arms
• Regularly required to talk and hear, verbally express information or instructions
• Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
• Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
• Occasionally required to push and/or pull up to 25 pounds a distance of 10 feet

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The individual is regularly exposed to indoor conditions and moderate noise level; the individual is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes.

Disclaimer

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.

Position Title: COLLECTIONS INTERNSHIP

Department: Collections

Reports to: Director of Special Exhibition Development, Senior Registrar, Registrar, and/or Collections Assistant & NAPGRA Coordinator (depending on project)

FLSA Classification: Volunteer, Unpaid

To Apply: Send Resume, Cover Letter and completed Internship Application to HumanResources@Bowers.org

Proof of Covid Vaccination Required

SUMMARY

The Bowers Museum Internship Program’s goal is to collaborate with talented students from our neighboring colleges and universities to provide them an invaluable hands-on complement to their academic experience while learning to function successfully in a professional museum environment.

Candidates will support the Collections & Special Exhibitions teams on a project-to-project basis; internship areas include 1) collections care, 2) collections registration, and 3) object research and exhibition development. Please include which area is of most interest in your cover letter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong computer skills, Microsoft 365
• Ability to work without constant supervision
• Duties as assigned
• Conduct all responsibilities in a safe manner according to regulations (OSHA, IIPP, etc.)

EDUCATION

Currently enrolled in college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student. Must commit to a certain number of hours and a specific schedule for a duration of at least 3 months.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time
• Regularly required to stand for long periods of time
• Regularly required to move about
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Occasionally required to reach up/out with hands and arms
• Regularly required to talk and hear, verbally express information or instructions
• Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
• Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
• Occasionally required to push and/or pull up to 25 pounds a distance of 10 feet

Disclaimer

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.