Museum Technician II Grade D

Clerical and Technical generic job description

Family: Museum/Curatorial
Job Code: 579

Representative duties:

Designs and/or constructs museum exhibits, frames, housing, mounts, display case, lighting, theatrical sets and theatre costumes through use of specialized woodworking, metal working, welding, carpentry, electrical, glazing, draping, patterning and stitchery techniques
Fabricates and reproduces specimens, backgrounds and structures, ensuring artistic effort and scientific accuracy
Mats, frames and unframed works of art. Performs minor conservation treatment (mending small tears, surface cleaning) and recommends conservator attendance when necessary
Maintains facility, climate control systems, exhibits, costumes, collections, and workshop tools and machinery
Oversees and instructs support staff
Installs and disassembles exhibits and sets. Prepares collection for exhibition
Handles, moves, packs and unpacks works of art for exhibits, storage and loan utilizing specialized methods and materials. May act as courier for artwork
Orders material and supplies
Develops time and cost estimates. Monitors budget and other financial material
Communicates with designers, exhibit originators, conservators and curators to provide and obtain information
May conduct research related to construction activities
Inputs to and retrieves information from museum collection management database and other computerized systems
Performs clerical functions incidental to construction activities

The job duties listed above are representative and characteristic of the duties required and the level of the work performed in the job title. The duties will vary from incumbent to incumbent in the job title.

Required knowledge:

Specialized college-level coursework or Associate’s degree; detailed but narrow knowledge in one or several work-related areas; substantial knowledge of a broader field of learning
Journey-level knowledge of a craft or trade
Limited acquaintance with business, accounting, or commercial procedures
Limited acquaintance with University organizational policies and procedures

Required skills

Extracts and compiles a range of data from written sources, from individuals by asking questions, or from one or several given data bases; coding based on prescribed simple standards
Uses a dictionary
Files already labeled material using a straightforward alphabetical, or chronological system
Screens complex, technical, or specialized literature for referral
Writes short informal notes, fills out simple forms, short reports, or grant applications for internal or external circulation
Regular skilled use of more complex machines, including word processors or personal computers

Office and administrative skills

Keyboards forms, labels and some other simple material
Enters and retrieves data from semi-finished source documents
Schedules and coordinates appointments
Advises, screens, and refers callers and visitors

Experience, education, and formal training

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate’s degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education

Complexity and organization:

Wide variety of complicated job tasks requiring coordinating numerous processes or methods
Often coordinates and organizes the work of others

Interpersonal relations:

Ongoing involvement outside immediate work unit
Offers or obtains specialized information and provides assistance on general matters
Understands and evaluates what is being said and responds with complex answers that may take time to give

Supervisory guidelines:

Work is subject to general review on an occasional basis
Supervisor and incumbent plan, assign and schedule work jointly
Instruction provided only in very rare instances

Independent judgment:

Established procedures/policies govern some work situations
Regular exercise of independent judgment or initiative
Problems solved by choosing solutions from among several alternatives that are not necessarily governed by established procedures

Example 1

General purpose:

Participate in all aspects of art installation and other duties related to collections management.

Essential duties:

Install and disassemble permanent and temporary exhibits
Hang and secure all artwork, move and pack works of art
Fabricate exhibition related props, furniture and mounts
Provide liaison with curators, registrar and conservators on installation projects
Data and image entry into TMS, the collection management database
Lead and oversee work crews
Maintain current collection by dusting and checking for repairs
Courier artwork to different locations
Coordinate outside vendors for scheduling of art transport
Order and maintain installation supplies and packing materials

Education and training:

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education
Art handling experience in a fine arts gallery or museum
Preferred: Degree in studio art or related field

Skills and abilities:

Good computer skills
Must be able to lift 50 pounds

Example 2

General purpose:

As a member of the special exhibitions installation team; move works of art; pack objects for travel utilizing specialized materials; install art objects and wall configurations; oversee the work of casuals and other team members when assigned; and serve as lighting technician.

Essential duties:

Design, build, install exhibition display props including pedestals, platforms and other display mounts utilizing carpentry skills and specialized techniques including soldering and welding
Serve as lighting technician for the special exhibition team making determinations of lighting type, wattage, etc.
Handle artworks and pack and unpack works of art for travel utilizing specialized packing methods and materials
Coordinate with curators and exhibit originators regarding exhibition layout, display and construction
Oversee the work of one staff member and casuals and other team members when assigned in the construction and installation of exhibits
Move works of art between storage, exhibition, photography, shipping and other museum areas
Install and secure wall panels, platforms, display cases, pedestals, labels and signs. Hang, level and secure paintings, prints, drawings and photographs. Position, mount and secure large and small sculptures, and ancient artifacts. Adjust light fixtures to suit new installations
Install art objects and wall configurations

Experience and training:

Six years of related art handling or related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, ad a high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education
Preferred: Art object mount making or exhibition preparation experience. Experience in museum quality art packing and lighting (gallery or theatrical) design. BA degree

Skills and abilities:

Ability to use a variety of hand tools & stationary tools
Ability to move and handle fragile and sometimes heavy works of art
Journey-level knowledge of a variety of materials including soft and hard woods, plywood, Plexiglas, metals, glass, fabrics and packing materials; oxy-acetylene
Knowledge of brasing, welding and soldering techniques of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
Must be able to lift 100 pounds safely and be physically fit
Preferred: Knowledge of lighting techniques