About the position
The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) is seeking an Inventory Technician to join our dynamic team. This position plays a crucial role in the museum's mission to put art and ideas at the center of campus and public life. The Inventory Technician will collaborate closely with the registration team to perform collections moves and full inventory, ensuring that all collections are handled with care and in accordance with UMMA's standards. The role involves assisting with collections care, which includes moving, relocating, re-housing, and maintaining collections objects and storage facilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring adherence to best practices in the care and safe handling of art objects by all team members. In addition to inventory management, the Inventory Technician will operate necessary equipment and tools, such as power tools, pallet jacks, and personnel lifts, to facilitate the safe movement, storage, and installation of artwork. The position also requires assisting in the organization of collections storage areas and troubleshooting storage methods to ensure the safety of art objects. The Inventory Technician will assist in preparations and packing processes needed for all transportation of collections, and will perform other duties as assigned to support the museum's operations. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that is committed to anti-racism and social justice issues, and to contribute to the museum's transformation and growth. The Inventory Technician will thrive in a collaborative environment that values creativity and community engagement, and will play a vital role in redefining what a campus museum can be.
Responsibilities
- Collaborates closely with registration team to perform collections moves and full inventory.
- Assists with collections care, including moving, relocating, re-housing, and general maintenance of collections objects and object storage facilities.
- Ensures adherence to UMMA's care and safe handling standards by all team members, employing best practices.
- Operates necessary equipment and tools, including power tools, pallet jacks, and personnel lifts, needed for the safe movement, storage, and installation of artwork.
- Assists with the organization of collections storage areas and troubleshooting storage methods to ensure the safety of art objects.
- Assists in preparations and packing processes needed for all transportation of collections.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Experience working in a museum setting, working with art objects and art handling or an equivalent combination of training and experience is required.
- Experience working in a museum or gallery setting installing artwork and troubleshooting issues to ensure the safe display and storage of artwork.
- Working knowledge of accepted practices for the appropriate transportation, care and movement of art objects.
- Excellent manual dexterity and visual acuity skills.
- Ability to safely move up to 100 pounds.
- Excellent verbal and communication skills.
- Excellent experience using technology to manage productivity, project management, collaboration and communication.
Nice-to-haves
- A Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Information Technology or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience using collections management databases.
- Past experience performing fine art inventories.
Benefits
- Full-time position
- Benefits eligible
- Non-exempt status
- Term-limited for 1 year
