1203 Curator, Manuscripts – History Center
JOB TITLE: #1203 Curator, Manuscripts – History Center
OPEN TO: This job is open to all applicants.
LOCATION: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St Paul, MN 55102-1906
SALARY: $3,961.00 starting monthly minimum; commensurate with experience
STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (2,088 annual hours) position.
CLASSIFICATION: 11L Professional
HIRING MANAGER: Manager, Curatorial Affairs
POSTING DATE: November 1, 2018
DEADLINE DATE: November 30, 2018
TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/job Opens a New Window. s and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.
DESCRIPTION: The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks applicants to manage, develop, and promote access to the manuscript collections. The Curator, Manuscripts is responsible for non-monetary appraisal and acquisition of manuscript items, creating necessary documentation, providing access to the collection for researchers, supporting library staff and collaborating with Digital Collections Services staff on issues of processing and description.
SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) evaluate collections offered to MNHS within the scope of the collecting plan for manuscript acquisitions and in collaboration with the Acquisitions Committee; 2) appraise and acquire manuscript collections; 3) support and advance ongoing processing and outreach relating to special projects; 4) manage manuscript collection to ensure long-term availability of manuscript materials for current and future research and outreach projects; and 5) provides services in field of expertise to MNHS staff, public and private agencies, and the general public to share knowledge, maintain MNHS contact with public throughout the state, and assist in accomplishing MNHS mission of providing leadership in the field of state and local history in Minnesota.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree plus four years curatorial and cataloging experience or equivalent OR an advanced degree in library/information science, history, American studies, or related field plus three years curatorial and cataloging experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrated understanding of archival appraisal (both macro and micro) and ability to make appraisal decisions.
• Demonstrated professionalism with a wide variety of donors, including the ability to deal effectively with such tasks as delicate negotiation for acquisition of material (often personal and/or confidential) from donors and dealers, and rejection of unwanted material offered by potential donors.
• Expertise sufficient to appraise material for acquisition to the MNHS Collection and process acquisitions.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to survey, appraise, accession, and provide preliminary physical and intellectual control for large (100 cubic feet-plus) archival collections.
• Fundamental knowledge of the entire range of archives administration, including arrangement and description, reference, conservation, and outreach, so that questions from donors, the public, and users of the collections can be answered or referred to others accurately.
• Proven ability to perform a range of outreach activities, including public speaking in a variety of settings and for a variety of audiences, and providing professional advice to the public and staff of other organizations.
• Understanding of and interest in electronic records, both as they are increasingly used to document, manage, and provide access to material within a repository, and as components of manuscript collections themselves.
• Ability to calmly and effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines, work smoothly and professionally with staff, donors, and the public, and must project competence, professionalism, and a favorable public perception of MNHS.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and inclusively with diverse people and groups both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing, by phone, and in person with varied audiences and constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to engage audiences in public presentations including lectures, classroom presentations, or other venues.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a collections database and use Microsoft Office and Google software and email.
• Technical skills and experience using internet and media technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, to work independently and as a member of a team, and be self-motivated.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate work and manage time.
• Ability, flexibility and willingness to occasionally work a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to maintain electronic and written records and to complete assigned reports.
• Knowledge of American History.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advanced degree in museum studies, library science, American or public history, or a closely related field.
• Experience in researching genealogy of family histories relating to acquisitions.
• Knowledge of Minnesota history.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in project management.
• Experience with issues revolving around repatriation or deaccessioning collections.
• Active involvement in a professional association.
• Ability to obtain comprehensive subject area expertise.
• Experience operating the KE EMu collections management system.
• Knowledge of MNHS collections.
• Knowledge and understanding of MNHS policies & procedures.
Original posting / application information