Registrar

The Sixth Floor Museum - Dallas, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Dallas, TX

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

About the position

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, located in Dallas, Texas, is a world-renowned institution that offers a fascinating exploration of President John F. Kennedy's life, death and legacy. Located in the historic Texas School Book Depository building, where crucial evidence related to the assassination of President Kennedy was discovered, this iconic museum provides an exciting and enriching work environment. The Museum's historical collection is large, actively growing and represents a diverse repository of materials ranging from three-dimensional artifacts of all sizes, still and moving images, documents, audio and visual recordings, oral histories and other important documentation related to the assassination and legacy of President, the cultural legacy and continuing impact of the events of November 22, 1963, the social history of mid-twentieth century Dallas both before and after the assassination, and the history of Dealey Plaza and the Texas School Book Depository building. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to steward these important collections and engage with visitors from around the globe, contributing to their understanding of contemporary history through this pivotal moment in American history.

Responsibilities

• Manages and provides collections care and preservation, following museum professional standards and best practices.
• Organizes and implements collections management processes-including accessioning procedures, object handling and movement, photography, documentation, transit, information management and storage.
• Develops, organizes and maintains collection information, documentation, files, forms, and records.
• Manages the administration and on-going implementation of TMS and eMuseum-including back-end management, data entry, media management, and online deployment of cataloged collections items and digital surrogates.
• Trains staff on use of TMS and eMuseum, including proper procedures and data standards.
• Maintains, tracks, and monitors safe physical environmental requirements for all collections, including security, climate, lighting, housing materials, IPM, and appropriate storage and display conditions; proposes solutions to problems as they arise.
• Makes assessments and recommends improvements to environmental and physical conditions for collections in storage and on display.
• Participates in cataloging of collections: creates catalog records, conducts provenance research, researches and writes accurate and descriptive records, and ensures appropriate detail and accuracy in catalog records.
• Provides input regarding collections for use in exhibitions, programs and other Museum projects.
• Photographs and/or digitizes collection items for cataloging and documentation.
• Coordinates and documents all handling and movement of collections and loans-including location tracking, installation/deinstallation, packing and shipping, housing and storage, and physical access.
• Coordinates cleaning, rotation, and maintenance of permanent and temporary exhibits to ensure ongoing preservation and maintenance of collections on display.
• Conducts periodic inventories of collections objects.
• Conducts condition assessments on collections materials and recommends necessary conservation/preservation projects and procedures.
• Trains staff on collections care, handling, and maintenance as needed.
• Oversees emergency preparedness and response as it relates to collections.
• Participates in the acquisition of new collections by communicating with potential donors and sources, documenting, tracking, and storing new acquisitions.
• Manages records and documentation related to Museum loans, both incoming and outgoing.
• Coordinates deaccessions-including recommending items for deaccession, tracking documentation, and handling logistics for final disposition of deaccessioned items.
• Responds to research inquiries related to collections.
• Works with Director of Collections to write, edit, research, and maintain collections-related standards, procedures, and policies.
• Supports institutional goals to provide access to collections, including facilitating object access for curators and researchers and supervising public access to collections.
• Supports Digital Preservation Coordinator on digital collections preservation and management of the digital collections preservation platform (Preservica).
• Supports collections-based grant projects as appropriate.
• Participates in curatorial meetings and activities.
• Supervises collections support staff and interns as appropriate.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required in history, anthropology, museum studies, American studies or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional registration/collections management experience, including handling of artifacts, documents, and images.
• Prior experience working with collections management database software required; TMS and eMuseum strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of collections management and registration standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of and experience with basic museum cataloging rules and standards.
• Technical knowledge relating to digital image creation and management.
• Knowledge of American history; preferably associated with the history of the 1960s.
• Strong data management and time management skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, to work as part of a team, and to lead a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to sit at a workstation or computer for long hours.
• Must be able to stoop, bend and lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to stand or navigate object handling, storage, and installation processes.
• Must be able to use a step ladder for collections storage.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage.
• Best-in-class 401(k) contribution and match program.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation, sick, personal and holiday pay.