Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25080

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Michael Fox

(406) 994-5330

mfox@montana.edu

Classification Title Managing Director

Working Title Registrar and Collections Manager

Brief Position Overview

The Registrar and Collections Manager for the Cultural History Department is responsible for the documentation, care, and management of the Cultural History collection of Montana State University’s Museum of the Rockies.

Position Number 4C1198

Department Museum of the Rockies

Division Museum of the Rockies

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Starting $54,000 annually, per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Registrar and Collections Manager for the Cultural History Department is responsible creating and implementing policies and procedures for the documentation, care, and management of the Museum’s permanent collection, loans, and exhibits. He/she supervises the collections management team and works closely with the Curator of History and the exhibits department.

The cultural and natural history of the Northern Rockies region is the primary focus of the collections held by Museum of the Rockies. The Cultural History collection of over 300,000 objects preserves and shares the stories of the people who have lived and continue to live in the Northern Rockies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities:

• Documentation: Ensures all legal requirements and responsibilities related to the stewardship of the Cultural History collection are met. Creates and maintains legal documentation related to potential donations, gifts, loans, exhibits, NAGPRA , and image reproduction. Serves as the Committee Chair for the Collections Committee and executes all legal documents related to accessions, deaccessions, and dispositions.

• Policies & Procedures: Works with Cultural History and other relevant staff to create and revise policies and procedures related to the care of the Cultural History collection, such as the Collections Management Policy, department procedures, Code of Ethics, Access Plan, and the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Plan.

• Object Care: Assures the safe handling and transportation of objects, maintains secure and environmentally controlled conditions in collections storage and exhibits, and oversees the Integrated Pest Management program.

• Inventory and Object Tracking: Creates and maintains object records and tracks objects using the Museum’s electronic database and other digital programs.

• NAGPRA : Acts as the primary interface with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) and the National NAGPRA Program regarding NAGPRA . Maintains documentation and follows all federal guidelines. Consults with tribes regarding NAGPRA and the storage, treatment, handling, care, and access of American Indian cultural objects.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Assists students, faculty, researchers, and the general public regarding information about, access to, or loan of the Museum’s Cultural History collection.

• Trains and supervises collections staff, interns, and volunteers and ensures they follow collections policies and procedures.

• Works with Cultural History and other relevant museum staff to establish long-range and short-range goals and projects consistent with best practices in museum collections care.

• Works with collections and exhibits staff to ensure the safe handling and condition reporting of incoming and outgoing loans and exhibitions, both in-house and traveling.

• Represents the Museum in public and professional settings.

  Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree (M.S. or M.A. in Museum Studies, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, or a related field).

• 4 years progressively responsible museum experience working in registration and/or collections management.

• Demonstrated expertise in the use of collections management database systems and Microsoft Office Suite or Mac operating systems.

• Demonstrated knowledge of museum registration and collections care.

• Relevant knowledge of and experience with Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ), risk management, museum security protocols, and environmental control systems.

• Knowledge of and experience with NAGPRA .

  Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated expertise with Argus.net collections management database.

• Demonstrated experience with intern and volunteer management.

• Demonstrated experience with traveling exhibit installation.

  The Successful Candidate Will

• The successful candidate will be a detail oriented, self-motivated, organized museum professional.

• This person will possess strong written and verbal communication skills.

• They will take a leadership role in the creation and implementation of policy and procedures regarding the physical safety of the institution’s collection.

• They must be able to work independently, communicate effectively in writing and verbally, and to interact collaboratively with others.

  Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)

• This position may occasionally require evening and weekend work for museum events or projects.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

This position requires some remaining in a stationary position, reaching, and stretching. The responsibilities require physical exertion and the ascending and descending of ladders and stairs, as well as the transporting of objects, some of which may be heavy.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on September 10, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.