Collections Manager & Curator

The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History (HSM) seeks a Collections Manager and Curator to oversee the physical and intellectual care, preservation, and documentation of its Museum collections, comprised of thousands of objects that primarily document the everyday life of Middlebury and Addison County residents in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The Collections Manager/Curator works to ensure the highest level of stewardship of the Sheldon Museum’s permanent collection in compliance with museum standards. The Collections Manager/Curator will report to the Executive Director and work in close coordination with the Archivist and Public History Fellow.

Employment type: This is a full-time salaried position, funded by a 3-year grant with the potential for renewal, beginning in early 2025. This position requires on-site time with occasional remote work, flexible scheduling.

Salary: $60,000/year with up to 3% contribution to a retirement plan, paid vacation, holidays and sick leave.

Primary Duties:

• Ensure proper physical care, handling, display, storage, and preservation of the museum collections.
• Curate/co-curate rotating and permanent exhibits and support the use of Museum collections in exhibitions programming; oversee installation and deinstallation processes and surrounding activities such as loans and conservation.
• Co-lead object research in collaboration with Archivist and Public History Fellow, focused on highlighting a more inclusive, comprehensive, and complex history of Middlebury, Addison County and Vermont.
• Oversee all registration aspects for storage and handling of artifacts, including records management, inventory control, policy formulation, insurance and risk management, and long-range planning.
• Serve as a key point of contact between donors, lenders, and the museum; negotiates proposed gifts and loans to the museum collections.
• Manage all aspects of donations to Museum collections, including proper paperwork documentation of deeds of gifts, bequests, donations, and deaccessions in accordance with best practices.
• Oversee incoming and outgoing loans and donations, including packing, shipping, receiving, logistics, and insurance consistent with industry best-practices.
• Perform necessary inventory of collection, in accordance with the Collections Policy, as well as cataloging and photography of collection.
• Assess and maintain the collections management database (Past Perfect or other), object files, and other essential records.
• Perform routine monitoring of integrated pest management in all storage areas.
• Works with other Museum staff to manage exhibition galleries, collections storage rooms, and environmental monitoring consistent with industry best-practices.
• Assist in the development and implementation of any HSM policies and procedures involving collections care and maintenance.
• Supervises access to collections for study, exhibition, and research.
• Participate in various committee meetings as needed, including the Collections Committee.
• Represent HSM at professional and community venues to enhance the understanding of its mission and collections.
• Collaborate with Executive Director on grant applications for collections needs.
• Recruit/supervise Museum collections interns and volunteers
• Special projects or other duties as assigned.

Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess the following strengths and experience:

• Master's degree in Museum Studies or closely related field such as Material Culture, History, Public History, or comparable field. Substantial experience or partial coursework may be substituted for the required Master's degree.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience handling collections in a museum or historical society.
• Demonstrated experience managing the care, preservation, and documentation of museum collections, especially in accessioning, deaccessioning, object handling and housing, exhibition installation and deinstallation, loan procedures and negotiations, museum registration, objects/collection insurance, security, pest management, emergency preparedness and risk management.
• Experience using Past Perfect or other collections database and digital imaging systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; flexible, reliable, and detail oriented.
• Experience leading or assisting with the production of exhibitions.
• Ability to manage simultaneous priorities and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Must have a commitment to inclusion and diversity and a passion for advancing equity.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates please send a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three references to cmoseley@henrysheldonmuseum.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and position is open until filled. All materials will be confidential, and references will not be
contacted without advance permission. No phone calls please. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work and learning environment and look forward to future team members who share that same value.

The Henry Sheldon Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or location.