Collections Assistant - Historic Equipment Collection

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Collections Assistant- Historic Equipment Collection

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking to hire a collections assistant to accession, re-house, and curate our historic equipment collection.

Job Description and Position Requirements: 

The Collections Assistant will work closely with the EMS Museum curator to conduct a detailed inventory of the historic equipment collection in storage and on exhibit, confirm object location accuracy, identify object housing and storage needs, create digital images of objects as needed, and create or update collections management database records. Some duties, including outreach, will be assigned as needed. Compensation is $15/hour. 5-19 hours per week.

The EMS Museum’s collections include earth materials (rocks, minerals, fossils, industrial by-products), mid-century industrial art (paintings, works on paper, sculpture), and historic scientific equipment and tools of research and education. The primary work location will be at the Special Services Building (Old Radio Astronomy Building on Google Maps)—approximately 3 miles from the main Penn State campus. This facility is not accessible by bus, bike, Catabus, or by walking, therefore the employee will need to supply their own transportation. This is not a hybrid position.

Qualifications:

• • Background in museum curation, historic science equipment, or an interest in learning
  • Ability to navigate new software platforms
  • Ability to conduct research using print and online sources
  • Ability to lift and move up to 40 lbs., sit or stand for extended periods, maintain attention to detail for prolonged periods, read cursive writing, and write legibly.
  • Strong interest in museum collections care and management
  • Basic computer and communication skills

The Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery is comprised of an exhibition gallery on the campus of Penn State University Park plus the EMS Museum collection storage center off campus. While there may be an opportunity to work in the gallery on occasion, 95% of the project tasks take place in the collection storage facility.

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