Collections Specialist: McClung Museum - UTK
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
The Collections Specialist reports to the Collections Manager & Registrar and is responsible for the management of the McClung Museum's permanent collections, including archaeological material, cultural collections, and paleoethnobotany. The role oversees documentation, safety, access, and direct care of the collections and implements the Collections Management Policy across all collections areas.
Responsibilities
Collections Management: 50%
Manages records, documentation, and images for the museum’s permanent collection, ensuring proper provenance and permits for acquisitions.
Decides on access to collections for agencies, university groups, individuals, or private entities based on ethics and the museum’s mission.
Manages electronic and digital records, updates scientific and auxiliary information, maintains databases, and provides content for the website and exhibitions.
Manages historic documentation including databasing, digital images, correspondence, archives, publications, and loan records.
Identifies object condition and material; prepares and constructs housing and long‑term storage solutions.
Responds to public inquiries regarding loans, accessions, and donations.
Processes accessions and handles loans, ensuring accurate provenance and permits.
Performs duties such as monitoring storage and exhibition environments, ensuring lab safety, conducting inventories, organizing equipment, and ordering supplies.
Other duties as assigned.
Research, Education, and Outreach Duties: 25%
Supports research programs by collaborating with curators to select suitable objects for exhibitions and preparing them.
Contributes to collections‑focused research and analysis to document provenance and establish best practices for handling and housing.
Creates outreach materials for education, such as object study workshops, exhibition best‑practice input, and participates in public outreach events.
Develops and presents content for tours, presentations, informal classes, and similar activities upon request.
Trains and supervises collections assistants, students, volunteers, and interns in custodial duties, registration, object preparation, and research.
Provides object access to the research community, faculty, students, and visiting researchers.
Engages in scholarly activity outside the university, such as attending or presenting at professional meetings and pursuing professional development.
Other duties as assigned.
Collaborative Responsibilities, Compliance, and Support: 25%
Recommends priorities for short‑ and long‑term collections care and management based on best practices.
Advises the exhibition team on object handling practices and consults with agencies on repository objects.
Implements the Collections Management Policy in collaboration with the Collections Manager & Registrar.
Supports NAGPRA compliance and repatriation activities, analyzing and flagging items, and collaborating on Office of Repatriation requests.
Serves on internal or external committees as needed.
Develops grant proposals for collections improvements and assists with museum‑wide grant proposals.
Supports promotional and institutional advancement activities, including donor engagement and behind‑the‑scenes tours.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Art, History, or a related field.
Experience
At least two years of collections management in a museum or similar setting.
At least one year of collections database management or similar program experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of current museum best practices and standards for collection care, documentation, digitization, conservation, and registration.
Ability to perform physical problem solving, database upkeep, and research, pivoting between tasks as needed.
Flexibility to manage multiple ongoing projects with shifting priorities.
Detail‑oriented, highly organized, and able to follow or create processes consistently.
Computer proficiency: Office suite, collections‑specific software, and other related skills.
Effective supervision of students and clear communication of directions and expectations.
Project and budget management for collections‑related purposes.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with interdepartmental teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree in Anthropology, Art, History, or a related field.
Experience
At least one year of experience with NAGPRA‑related collections.
At least one year of experience supervising and training students, volunteers, or interns.
Experience using established occupational health and safety practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of museum standards and best practices in caring for, packing, and crating 2‑D and 3‑D objects.
Knowledge of archival materials and fine‑art packing techniques, including custom boxes, soft‑packing, and cavity packs.
Knowledge of museum or collections databases.
Prioritization skills for competing requests and established deadlines.
Interpersonal skills to engage internal and external stakeholders.
Supervisory skills for directing volunteers, students, and interns working with collections.
Work Location
Knoxville, TN – Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR08
Anticipated hiring range: $52,000 – $58,000
Further information on UT Market Range and Benefits is available through the university’s resources.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and cannot require sponsorship for employment‑based visa status at any point.
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Responsibilities
Collections Management: 50%
Manages records, documentation, and images for the museum’s permanent collection, ensuring proper provenance and permits for acquisitions.
Decides on access to collections for agencies, university groups, individuals, or private entities based on ethics and the museum’s mission.
Manages electronic and digital records, updates scientific and auxiliary information, maintains databases, and provides content for the website and exhibitions.
Manages historic documentation including databasing, digital images, correspondence, archives, publications, and loan records.
Identifies object condition and material; prepares and constructs housing and long‑term storage solutions.
Responds to public inquiries regarding loans, accessions, and donations.
Processes accessions and handles loans, ensuring accurate provenance and permits.
Performs duties such as monitoring storage and exhibition environments, ensuring lab safety, conducting inventories, organizing equipment, and ordering supplies.
Other duties as assigned.
Research, Education, and Outreach Duties: 25%
Supports research programs by collaborating with curators to select suitable objects for exhibitions and preparing them.
Contributes to collections‑focused research and analysis to document provenance and establish best practices for handling and housing.
Creates outreach materials for education, such as object study workshops, exhibition best‑practice input, and participates in public outreach events.
Develops and presents content for tours, presentations, informal classes, and similar activities upon request.
Trains and supervises collections assistants, students, volunteers, and interns in custodial duties, registration, object preparation, and research.
Provides object access to the research community, faculty, students, and visiting researchers.
Engages in scholarly activity outside the university, such as attending or presenting at professional meetings and pursuing professional development.
Other duties as assigned.
Collaborative Responsibilities, Compliance, and Support: 25%
Recommends priorities for short‑ and long‑term collections care and management based on best practices.
Advises the exhibition team on object handling practices and consults with agencies on repository objects.
Implements the Collections Management Policy in collaboration with the Collections Manager & Registrar.
Supports NAGPRA compliance and repatriation activities, analyzing and flagging items, and collaborating on Office of Repatriation requests.
Serves on internal or external committees as needed.
Develops grant proposals for collections improvements and assists with museum‑wide grant proposals.
Supports promotional and institutional advancement activities, including donor engagement and behind‑the‑scenes tours.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Art, History, or a related field.
Experience
At least two years of collections management in a museum or similar setting.
At least one year of collections database management or similar program experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of current museum best practices and standards for collection care, documentation, digitization, conservation, and registration.
Ability to perform physical problem solving, database upkeep, and research, pivoting between tasks as needed.
Flexibility to manage multiple ongoing projects with shifting priorities.
Detail‑oriented, highly organized, and able to follow or create processes consistently.
Computer proficiency: Office suite, collections‑specific software, and other related skills.
Effective supervision of students and clear communication of directions and expectations.
Project and budget management for collections‑related purposes.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with interdepartmental teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree in Anthropology, Art, History, or a related field.
Experience
At least one year of experience with NAGPRA‑related collections.
At least one year of experience supervising and training students, volunteers, or interns.
Experience using established occupational health and safety practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of museum standards and best practices in caring for, packing, and crating 2‑D and 3‑D objects.
Knowledge of archival materials and fine‑art packing techniques, including custom boxes, soft‑packing, and cavity packs.
Knowledge of museum or collections databases.
Prioritization skills for competing requests and established deadlines.
Interpersonal skills to engage internal and external stakeholders.
Supervisory skills for directing volunteers, students, and interns working with collections.
Work Location
Knoxville, TN – Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR08
Anticipated hiring range: $52,000 – $58,000
Further information on UT Market Range and Benefits is available through the university’s resources.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and cannot require sponsorship for employment‑based visa status at any point.
#J-18808-Ljbffr