Description
Montpelier House Museum of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking an energetic and detail-oriented candidate to manage the collections. Montpelier House Museum, a National Historic Landmark since 1970, tells the complex and difficult history of slavery of a northern Prince George's County, 1783 Maryland plantation. Through tours - self-directed and guided, and other yearly programs, visitors learn about the 70-acre site and the lives of all residents as they are reflected through the landscape and the architecture. The candidate will be able to play a role in Montpelier upholding the Natural and Historical Resources Division's (NHRD) four strategic pillars:
Pillar 1: Enhance the Visitor Experience: Quality & Quantity
Pillar 2: Leave a Legacy: Transforming Education into Activism
Pillar 3: Strengthen Inclusivity, Diversity and Belonging
Pillar 4: Act with Honesty, Integrity, Respect and Trust
The candidate will be actively engaged and contribute towards framing an inclusive history through ongoing impact and interpretative planning processes. The candidate will also be able to participate in professional development through access to museum and Commission specific training opportunities, and mentoring.
Examples of Important Duties
Important Duties of the Collections Manager
- Reviews, revises, and implements collections policy and procedures
- Organizes, inventories, and catalogues collections
- Digitizes and scans archival materials
- Creates finding aids for archival collections
- Writes condition reports and photographs objects
- Manages the care and maintenance of the collections, associated records, and storage
- Inventories and selects archival supplies and materials needed to care for the collection
- Cleans museum rooms, collections storage area and office with conservational, sound housekeeping techniques
- Manages acquisitions, accessioning and de-accessioning, incoming and outgoing loans
- Helps identify, access, and make recommendations on acquisitions that support museum interpretation
- Assist with research and interpretation of the historic site, including facilitating staff and researcher access to archival holdings, and writing and editing interpretive materials
- Research and authors special-interest articles for a broad audience for social media and newsletters
- Assists with interpreting artifacts for programs and exhibits
- Assists with developing and installing exhibits
- Assists with covering museum areas during tour hours
- Trains, directs, and supervises volunteers and interns in collections work
- Assists the museum manager with museum historic preservation and maintenance projects - includes monitoring and reporting historic building conditions to identify needed repairs
- Responds to inquiries from the public, researchers, and other institutions
- Sets schedule and meets with the museum collections advisory committee
- Manages the reference library and updates Librarything on-line catalog
- Manages, catalogs, and interprets the digital environmental control data
- Oversees the pest management process in coordination with contractor
- Plans and teaches classes to help the general public care for personal family heirlooms
- Develops digitization approaches and assessments to support archival research and collections management
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- knowledge of archival theory, methodology, and current trends, including ethical and legal issues in accessioning and de-accessioning implications
- Knowledge of standard archival policies and procedures for use, access, and preservation
- Knowledge of best practices for digitization and digital preservation in a small museum environment
- Knowledge of collections management standards and best practices
- Skills in historical research using both primary and secondary sources
- Experience in object handling and rehousing techniques; object documentation creation and management via both manual and digital methodologies; environmental control methods, standards, and pest management
- Have experience with archival collection processing and finding aid creation, including digitization and digital asset management using overhead and flatbed scanners
- Be familiar with library cataloging methodologies
- Must be a skilled computer user including Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams. Be comfortable using Excel and Access as an archival resources database platform
- Be familiar with PastPerfect collections management system
- Be able to plan, coordinate, and chair collections committee meetings
- Have an interest in public history or history, especially eighteen or nineteenth century U.S. history, background in African American history desirable
- Be able to work with a wide diversity of people
- Have the ability to do public outreach via collections-based programming, such as recruiting and supervising interns and volunteers, teaching how-to workshops
- Possess good communication skills both orally and in writing
- Be able to lift at least 40 pounds easily due to the physical nature of object handling
- Be able to work a flexible schedule including Saturdays and Sundays depending on program schedule
Minimum Qualifications
- Have a master's degree in museum studies with a concentration in museum collections, library sciences, or related field
- Have at least three years of professional work experience in collections stewardship
Or
- An equivalent combination of education and experience
- Valid Maryland driver's license or the ability to acquire one
Supplemental Information
- The position allows for a flexible work schedule, perfect for someone looking for part-time work due to family care needs or academic pursuits.
- Work schedule is an average of 30 hours per week with one to two days per month on weekends, as necessary.
- As part of the application, include a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample - condition report, finding aid, etc. and three references.
- Access by mass-transit is available but limited to commuter hours, so the ability to drive is a plus
- Free parking
- Position does not qualify for benefits, except for some sick leave
- A background investigation will be completed prior to hire
May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2024 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR SEASONAL INTERMITTENT EMPLOYEES
The following information is a summary of benefits extended to all Seasonal employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). This is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.
Limited Benefits for Seasonal Employees
Health Insurance Plans
You are eligible for specific health insurance benefits if you worked, on average, 30 hours per week during your first 12 months of employment or from October 3rd to October 2nd each subsequent period following your first 12 months of employment. This equates to 1,560 hours over a 12-month period.
If and when you are eligible for benefits, you will receive notification directly from the Health & Benefits Office.
Eligible Employees Pay 35% of the health insurance plan premium and The Commission Pays 65%.
- Medical
- Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan
- UnitedHealthcare Select Plan (EPO)
Prescription: CVS Caremark Prescription Plan
Other Benefits
- Credit Union
- Sick Leave Benefits
This summary is intended to highlight some of the benefits offered by the M-NCPPC. It is not an all-inclusive agreement and is subject to change. For a more detailed description of benefits, please see the appropriate benefits brochure, service agreement or manual. For more information, contact The Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.
* 01
Do you have a master's degree in museum studies with a concentration in museum collections, library sciences, or a related field and at least three years of professional work experience in collections stewardship?
* 02
If you answer no the question above, do you have an equivalent combination of education and experience? If you answer yes to the question above, answer yes to this question as well.
* 03
Please upload a cover letter, resume, three references, and a brief writing sample (condition report, finding aid, etc.).Please indicate whether you have uploaded the requested information below.
* Required Question
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