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Collection Assistant
Position Overview
***This position currently has funding secured for 2 years (24 months) from the start of the appointment. If additional funding cannot be secured beyond the two years, the position will end unless new funding can be secured.***
The Spencer Museum of Art located on the University of Kansas main campus cares for a collection of over 48,000 artworks from around the globe and from over 5000 years of human history. The Collection Assistant will work closely with collection staff to reorganize and move a sizable portion of the collection into new, high-density storage furniture in the primary collection storage area. The Collection Assistant will work with a team of collection managers and interns to relocate, three dimensional works, textiles, and scrolls, in a manner that will optimize storage space and enable more efficient access to the collection. Part of relocating and safely storing the collection will include using the museum’s collection management database, MuseumPlus, to accurately document each work. This is a limited term, two-year position to begin no earlier than September 5, 2023.
The University of Kansas offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. The University of Kansas also offers employees educational opportunities and is a great place to work!
About Lawrence, KS
The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, a community of about 95,000. Only 35 miles west of Kansas City and 20 miles east of Topeka, you will never be far from barbecue, jazz, museum culture, and more. Lawrence has a lively downtown and a thriving arts and music scene, and its local government has enacted ordinances supporting equality for all members of its population. Lawrence locals covet the numerous sports and recreational opportunities, local shops, and a wide range of locally-owned restaurants.
The Spencer Museum of Art located on the University of Kansas main campus cares for a collection of over 48,000 artworks from around the globe and from over 5000 years of human history. The Collection Assistant will work closely with collection staff to reorganize and move a sizable portion of the collection into new, high-density storage furniture in the primary collection storage area. The Collection Assistant will work with a team of collection managers and interns to relocate, three dimensional works, textiles, and scrolls, in a manner that will optimize storage space and enable more efficient access to the collection. Part of relocating and safely storing the collection will include using the museum’s collection management database, MuseumPlus, to accurately document each work. This is a limited term, two-year position to begin no earlier than September 5, 2023.
The University of Kansas offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. The University of Kansas also offers employees educational opportunities and is a great place to work!
About Lawrence, KS
The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, a community of about 95,000. Only 35 miles west of Kansas City and 20 miles east of Topeka, you will never be far from barbecue, jazz, museum culture, and more. Lawrence has a lively downtown and a thriving arts and music scene, and its local government has enacted ordinances supporting equality for all members of its population. Lawrence locals covet the numerous sports and recreational opportunities, local shops, and a wide range of locally-owned restaurants.
Job Description
Collection Management 95%
- Plan and execute the reorganization, transportation, and storage of approximately 11,000 collection objects.
- Create custom storage mounts.
- Re-house collection objects in new enclosures and cabinets.
- Identify and replace non-archival materials, including monitoring supply levels and communicating ordering needs.
- Identify collection objects with condition or handling issues and document them in the MuseumPlus.
- Maintain item level locations codes in MuseumPlus.
- Identify and reconcile problems with inventories and object numbering.
- Participate in museum- and campus-wide initiatives and trainings, including those related to diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging (DEAIB).
- Attend all-staff meetings.
Position Requirements
- Climb stairs and ladders with or without assistance.
- This position requires working on-site.
- Routinely lift objects (30 - 50 lbs.) with or without assistance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related field.
- One (1) year museum registration/collection management experience (paid, volunteer, or internship).
- Knowledge of professional standards for collections care evidenced by application materials.
- One (1) year of experience handling museum objects.
- One (1) year of experience working with collections management database.
- Experience documenting and reporting project progress.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, or related field.
- Experience working independently and on a team.
- Knowledge of professional standards for collections care.
- Previous experience inventorying or moving a museum collection.
- Experience with MuseumPlus collection management database.
- Prior work experience that required being organized and detail oriented.
- Experience assisting with deaccessioning and/or disposing of artwork in accordance with approved collection policies.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application includes:
- Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume.
- Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).
- Completion of the online application.
- Application review begins Friday, July 14, 2023 and continues until a pool of qualified applicants is identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Sofía Galarza Liu, Head of Collection Management, 785-864-0146, reina@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Starts at $42,000, final determination commensurate with experience
Work Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Application Review Begins
Friday July 14, 2023
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday September 5, 2023
Apply to Job
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 25042BR
- Department: Spencer Museum of Art
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 14-Jul-2023
The University of Kansas (KU) hawks an education to more than 30,000 students at its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, and three secondary campuses. The school (whose mascot is the Jayhawk) offers undergraduate and graduate programs through more th...
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DATE POSTED
June 9, 2023
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