4103E1
Pay Grade: 21
DEFINITION OF WORK
Summary
This is specialized work in the administration of museum activities, programs and collections.
Work involves accessioning and maintaining permanent records on museum collections; collecting, classifying and caring for the collections; planning, constructing and interpreting exhibits and displays; and conducting research for programs and collections.
Standard Classification Factors
Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements.
Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category.
Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.
Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.
Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required.
Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area.
Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible.
Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance.
Distinguishing Features
Differs from the Museum Assistant class in which the incumbents assist staff in administering museum activities through accessioning donations for the museum's collections and maintaining the associated records, classifying and caring for the collections, conducting research on the collections and overseeing a state museum on holidays and weekends.
Differs from the Museum Exhibits Director class in which the incumbents are responsible for developing the entire theme and content of exhibits.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Conducts primary and secondary research to ensure all collections and information are accurately portrayed according to the appropriate historical period.
Assists in acquiring specific artifacts to expand the museum's collections; assesses need for acquisition of new artifacts; interacts with potential donors; conducts research on artifacts to recommend acceptance or rejection as part of the collections.
Catalogs and maintains records on the collections of the museum; organizes storage of collections to ensure easy retrieval and minimal damage; coordinates retrieval records on incoming and outgoing loans and traveling exhibitions.
Works as a member of design and production team to oversee the construction, modification, and maintenance of museum exhibits; establishes construction schedules and estimates materials costs.
Consults with museum conservation staff to provide proper care, preservation and storage of artifacts in the collections; handles living and preserved scientific specimens in a manner designed to preserve and protect them for exhibits and education programs.
Assists the public and patrons by responding to mail and telephone inquiries, assisting with research, and conducting tours.
Consults with local county or state museums or organizations by making recommendations for preserving artifacts and exhibit construction.
May serve as a member of the museum's planning team to continue monitoring the development of the museum programs and exhibits; completes various reports on work activities; provides cost estimates for budget recommendations.
May supervise employees, students, interns, contract employees, grant-supported staff or a volunteer program; instructs in the safe use of hazardous chemicals and equipment.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
Knowledge
*Knowledge of American history, art, anthropology, folklore, American studies or one of the natural sciences.
Knowledge of museum organization and operation.
*Knowledge of source material for research in material culture or the natural sciences.
*Knowledge of procedures, practices, materials, tools and equipment used in preparing, constructing, repairing, storing and preserving museum exhibits and artifacts.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision.
Knowledge of museum record keeping systems.
Abilities
*Ability to supervise.
*Ability to perform material culture or natural science research.
*Ability to identify and classify museum specimens.
*Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
*Ability to plan, design and construct museum exhibits.
*Necessary at Entry
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree and jJob knowledge at an advanced level in historical society or museum work.
NC: 06/94
REV: 12/95
REV: 11/96
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 03/02