Collections Assistant

Definition

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The base rate of pay for this position is $19.00 per hour.

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is seeking a COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT to join their team. This position acts as site manager on weekends and performs a variety of duties to support the Curator of Collections in the management of museum collections at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in accordance with professional museum standards.

Details: Priority screening will begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. It is in your best interest to apply by this date. Applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established, or the position has been filled.
To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is requested.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: College transcripts (unofficial copies accepted), a letter of interest, and a resume.
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Representative Examples of Work

Serves as site manager on weekends. Performs a variety of duties to facilitate a positive visitor experience and ensures security of the facility and grounds as assigned staff person for weekends and holidays. Opens and closes museum and outside buildings; disarms and resets the internal alarm system; makes visual checks for irregularities, damage, and maintenance needs. Collects admission fees; performs sales clerk duties for the museum gift store as required; and keeps accurate records to report and balance receipts. Processes new donations by identifying, cataloguing, and photographing historic and contemporary objects. Following museum best practices, houses and stores artifacts in the museum’s collections storage areas. Assists with updating and maintaining storage areas. Conducts historical research on the collections to better serve public interest. Assists with responding to research requests from the public and with fulfilling requests for licensing and reproduction of artifacts within the collection. Provides general oversight and instruction for volunteers on projects within the collections department. Assists with identifying potential projects for volunteers and interns. Conducts collections inventories and other special projects related to collections care as assigned. Assists with devising and implementing long and short-range collections goals, collections care planning, and policies and procedures to be followed within the department. Assists with exhibit planning and installation of new exhibits, and manages online exhibits and virtual content related to exhibits. Maintains museum collection software to preserve, catalog, store, and maintain information regarding the museum’s collections of historic objects, photographs, and documents. Ensures that collections software and donor database are kept up to date with new collections donor information. Oversees volunteers who perform receptions duties; answer telephones; greet visitors; provide information about the museum properties and exhibits using well defined policies and procedures; answer questions. Oversees volunteers who collect admission fees; performs sales clerk duties for the museum gift store; and keeps accurate records to report and balance receipts. Performs light maintenance, janitorial work, and shovels snow.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to museum work is required. Appropriate fields are Anthropology, Archaeology, Archival Studies, and History.
  
• Requires two years of experience in an area related to collections management.
  
• Requires one year of experience in customer service, reception, and in dealing with the public. Prior experience in a museum setting is desired.
  
  

Physical/Environmental Demands

Work schedule is primarily weekends and schedule may require working evening and holiday hours; work on the 4th of July is required. Work is primarily in the museum and on the museum grounds which requires travel over rough, uneven terrain. Requires the physical strength to lift and move moderately heavy objects (25 pounds) and to push or pull objects weighing up to 75 pounds with assistance. Requires the ability to climb stairs and stand on ladders to perform manual labor.
Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!
Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.
Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Missoula County will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

Excellent Medical Health Benefits– Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $258.00 per pay period.

Medical deductible is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.

Flexible Benefits Plan– Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.

Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage, Long and Short-Term Disability, Critical and Accident Insuranceare offered through Mutual ofOmaha.

Public Employees Retirement System– Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.

Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)– A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Working for Missoula County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Supplemental Retirement Benefitsare offered through Valic or Nationwide.

Sick Leave– Full-time employees accrue 7.38hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once you have been an employee for 90 days.The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Vacation Leave– Full-time employees accrue 9.24 hours per month and are eligible to use leave after continuous employment for a period of 6 full months. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays– The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)-In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Missoula County 6 continuous weeks of PPL to eligible full-time employees that have been with the county for 180 days. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.

Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Missoula County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.

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• Missoula County

• 406-258-3293

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