The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati is seeking a qualified professional to serve as Museum Collections and Operations Manager.
The Museum Collections and Operations Manager oversees the care, preservation and documentation of the Institute’s museum collections, which include more than four thousand works of art and artifacts illuminating the American Revolution and its legacy, the history of the Society of the Cincinnati, and the story of Anderson House and its occupants. The Museum Collections and Operations Manager also oversees tours of Anderson House—the Society’s headquarters and a historic house museum—and the docent program, which currently includes more than forty volunteers who lead the public tours. The Museum Collections and Operations Manager supervises several part-time weekend employees, who staff the weekend public hours. The Museum Collections and Operations Manager is a member of the cultural programs staff of the Institute and will have opportunities to work with colleagues on other programs, including website, emergency preparedness and other projects.
Major duties of the Museum Collections and Operations Manager are:
- managing proper documentation of the museum collections, including accessioning and deaccessioning, cataloging, photography, inventories and other records;
- maintaining the collections management database (PastPerfect) and its online portal;
- ensuring proper care and preservation of the museum collections by managing the museum collections storage rooms, environmental conditions data and analysis, curatorial housekeeping and conservation projects;
- facilitating access to the museum collections through the online database, image requests and research inquiries;
- contributing to exhibition planning and installation, including coordinating incoming and outgoing loans;
- managing the daily operation of the museum tour program, including scheduling group tours, promoting general museum visitation and representing the Institute to tourism and related organizations; and
- recruiting, training and managing a team of volunteer docents to lead tours of Anderson House.
A successful applicant will have:
- demonstrated experience managing the care, preservation and documentation of museum collections, and knowledge of collections management standards and best practices—especially in museum registration, collections management software, object handling and housing, loan procedures and exhibition installation;
- familiarity with docent program management and historic site interpretation;
- the ability to perform moderate physical activity, such as climbing ladders, lifting, kneeling, and standing or walking for extended periods of time;
- at least three years of professional experience working in a cultural institution; and
- a bachelor’s or master’s degree in history, art history, museum studies or a closely related field.
This is a full-time professional position at Anderson House, the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati and the home of the American Revolution Institute. The position carries a salary in the range of $53,000-$60,000, negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits include paid annual and sick leave, health insurance, 401(k) plan participation and a monthly commuting stipend.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter, including mention of where you learned about this opening, by email to Emily L. Parsons, Deputy Director and Curator, American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, at eparsons@societyofthecincinnati.org.
Posted August 13, 2021. Position open until filled.