Summary

Directly manages and oversees a collection of artifacts, specimens, and/or artwork for a specified university museum or gallery, including acquisition, documentation, housing, use, preservation, disposition, and maintenance. Receives, prepares, and catalogs new materials; plans and organizes exhibition-related movement of objects, including packing, shipping, and insurance for collections exhibitions as well as for incoming and outgoing loans. Manages the database of collection contents. Manages copyright permissions. Supervises museum personnel, volunteers, and students.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages all aspects of collections care, following and implementing accepted museum professional standards and practices. Directly manages the collection's documentation, archives, preservation, handling, copyright, security, database management, insurance and environmental monitoring of facilities and objects.
2. Supports exhibition logistics, including incoming/outgoing loans agreements, shipping, receiving, packing, condition reports, certificates of insurance, and object security.
3. Manages copyright permissions for collections, exhibitions, and archives for internal and external publication requests.
4. Supervises the storage and preservation of collections objects including managing and coordinating conservation treatments.
5. Manages database development for all collections materials. Responsible for system security, digitization efforts, periodic software upgrades and database system migrations, metadata development, and database search capabilities.
6. Performs research on collection materials and/or artifacts in coordination with curators and director.
7. Assists in preparing proposals and grant applications for special collections-oriented projects.
8. Supervises access to the collection for study, exhibition, and research.
9. Participates in departmental meetings and serves on working committees.
10. Communicates with the UNM Foundation, potential donors, museums, institutions, and other patrons for potential acquisitions to the collection.
11. May train and supervise staff and student employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work; may participate in the recruitment of volunteers, as appropriate to the area of operation.
12. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Database management skills.
• Knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques and/or procedures for museum collections.
• Knowledge and understanding of the field represented by the collection.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele.
• Ability to manage and ensure compliance with loan arrangements of artifacts, specimens, and/or artworks.
• Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work may be performed in an office environment, museum environment or field environment.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds and/or standing and/or walking an average of four (4) hours per day.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 12/03/2023