Collections Coordinator

The London & Middlesex Heritage Museum – Fanshawe Pioneer Village is currently seeking a Collections Coordinator.  Under the direction of the Executive Director, and in compliance with ethical museum practice,   Village operating policies and procedures, and applicable municipal, provincial and federal legislation, the Collections Coordinator will be responsible for the care, maintenance and presentation of Village artifacts               on-site and in the community.

 

Hours/Days of Work:  40 hours per week.  Weekend and evening work occasionally required.

Term:Full-time, permanent

Salary:$21.87 - $27.67 per hour, plus Group Benefit Package

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. 1.      Administration

• Undertakes the hiring, training and supervision of curatorial grant staff, students and volunteers, and completes required grant reports
• Prepares and submits quarterly and annual reports on collections/curatorial department activities
• Prepares department reports, attends and takes minutes for the Planning and Policy Committee meetings
• Provides visitor orientation services, processes admission payments and completes attendance reports when scheduled to work from the Tollgate (visitor entrance) location
• Other duties as assigned

 

1. 2.      Care of Collection 

• Develops, and implements schedules and procedures for the care of the collection including: routine monitoring and inspection of all storage areas (including production of data logger reports); on-going maintenance/rehabilitation of storage areas; completion of artifact condition reports; and, planning for emergency collections recovery scenarios
• Develops and implements artifact care and handling training for staff and volunteers
• Monitors and supervises staff and volunteer access to, and use of the collection
• Develops treatment plans and administers preventive conservation for artifacts
• Coordinates and acquires materials and supplies required for care of collections functions

 

1. 3.      Collections Management:

• Plans, organizes, and undertakes the management and development of the collection including completing all registration, photography, cataloguing and storage for permanent collection artifacts and archival materials - and the maintenance of up to date collections records and PastPerfect database (in-house and online) entries

• Administers incoming and outgoing loans of objects
• Manages object acquisition and deaccession processes in compliance with Village policies and procedures, including coordination/completion of associated paperwork, and, management of external relationships related to the aforementioned
• Manages the Museum’s reference library and corporate archives
• Coordinates and registers objects for the Hands-On Educational Collection
• Coordinates and acquires materials and supplies required for collections management functions

 

1. 4.      Curatorial, Displays & Exhibition:

• Plans, organizes and undertakes the seasonal opening and closing of Village buildings
• Implements and monitors a cleaning schedule for site building displays
• Plans and implements artifact rotations and upgrades for seasonal site displays in the Village
• Ongoing monitoring of Village building condition and displays
• Coordinates building maintenance and repair needs with the Maintenance Coordinator 
• Undertakes research of artifacts, buildings, interpretive themes, approved exhibit themes and collections-based public programming, and produces the associated report or program
• Undertakes research in response to external queries regarding artifact collections and Village buildings, including filming and photography requests.
• Provides curatorial support as required for on-site public programming initiatives, and makes periodic artifact-based demonstrations as part of the visitor experience
• Develops/delivers collections-based outreach programming as scheduled in the community
• Develops a multi-year exhibit plan
• Researches, develops and installs exhibitions in the Trillium Community Gallery or virtually, building displays, and interpretive text panels in accordance with the exhibit plan and strategic initiatives

 

1. 5.      Cross-Departmental Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates content for quarterly newsletter and acts as chief editor
• Coordinates newsletter distribution and mailings
• Maintains donor records in the PastPerfect data base
• Makes collection/artifact related posts on social media platforms regularly, and assists with monitoring social media accounts
• Assists with presentation of special events – including seasonal fundraisers

 

Qualifications

• Academic degree in history, museum, library or archive studies or related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a collections management role within a museum setting
• Ontario Museum Association Certificate in Museum Studies an asset
• Prior experience in a living-history museum environment an asset
• Experience supervising others or working with volunteers
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• High overall level of computer literacy in Microsoft Office applications, Canva, and prior experience with collections management and digital imaging software
• Direct experience using PastPerfect museum software
• Experience with collections-based public or educational programming an asset
• Able to problem solve and work with a minimum of supervision
• Able to work in a team environment
• Excellent communication, writing and research skills
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation
• Must provide a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Screening check
• Valid first-aid and CPR certification

 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Physical requirements of the position include:  the ability to lift and carry 20-30lbs, ability to walk and navigate gravel paths and uneven surfaces, ability to work in an environment with air pollutants (pollens, dust, wood smoke), ability to tolerate exposure to pests/nuisance wildlife, and inclement weather. This position may occasionally require wearing a period costume (provided).

 

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Integrated Accessibility Standards. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

 

The London & Middlesex Heritage Museum – Fanshawe Pioneer Village is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment.

 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are requested to submit a resume including a cover letter to Dawn Miskelly, Executive Director by e-mail at director@fanshawepioneervillage.ca  Please include “Collections Coordinator Application” in the subject line of your email. 

Application Deadline: 5pm – Monday, January 13th, 2025

 

Fanshawe Pioneer Village thanks all those who apply, but only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.