Collections Coordinator and Registrar - Kitchener, Canada - Region of Waterloo

Region of Waterloo

Verified Company

Kitchener, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Our Story:

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach.

Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

Description of Duties:

Maintains and documents artifact collections at the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives (Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Doon Heritage Village, Schneider Haus, McDougall Cottage, Region of Waterloo Archives).

Researches local social history and material culture to support the development of exhibits and associated programs with an eye to telling more diverse stories.

Provides access to artifact collections to the community through in-person and online initiatives.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Receives and assesses artifact donation offers from the public and other institutions. Makes recommendations to management, in consultation with the Conservator and Archives Coordinator, on suitability of donations per acquisition policies and procedures. Works to include the experience, perspectives, and material culture of BIPOC communities in the museum collections and associated knowledgebase. Refers unaligned donations to appropriate organizations.
Maintains accession register for both artifact and archival acquisitions. Creates accession numbers for archival collections and circulates to Archives Coordinator. Administers paperwork for new artifact acquisitions (donations, transfers, purchases) per acquisition procedures to ensure compliance with legislation, and to establish legal ownership.
Ensures artifacts are accessioned and catalogued according to accepted standards and practices.
Arranges annual appraisal of artifacts and archival items to establish current market value, and prepares and sends itemized tax receipts to Finance per appraisal procedures.
Administers paperwork for incoming and outgoing artifact loans per loan procedures and policies. Assists to coordinate shipping and receiving, in consultation with the Conservator. Implements loan agreements (e.g., relating to packing, shipping, security, insurance).
Administers the artifact collections management database, and coordinates uploading of data and images to online collections database.
Provides research and reference services as it relates to the artifact collection to staff and the public. Ensures service delivery in response to research and reference questions. Recommends projects that provide and improve access to artifact collections. Provides tours of collections spaces as required.
Supports the development of exhibits through research, sourcing of images, artifact selection, and written information. Assists the Conservator and Installers with artifact installations in exhibits as required.
Conducts projectrelated research and writes reports as required. Reviews and edits research reports written by others (e.g., students, volunteers).
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with staff at other museums and heritage institutions throughout Waterloo Region.
Assists management, along with the Archives Coordinator, to develop and maintain collections development policies and procedures. Assists management to examine the artifact collection and identify items for deaccession per policies and procedures.
Has a purchasing card for ordering supplies, images for exhibits, and incidentals related to research projects.
Coordinates with the Conservator to ensure proper storage of artifact collections. Consults with the Conservator and Archives Coordinator on care and disposition of documents and photographs in museum collections. Monitors security of artifact collections while providing tours and escorting contractors.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 4year university degree plus a Master's degree in Museum Studies or History plus 2 years of related experience. A 3year degree or diploma plus a 2 year related postgraduate certificate, plus 3 years of related experience is considered equivalent.
Knowledge of museum registration methods, information management and computerized museum collections management databases, standardized artifact nomenclature, and specialized knowledge of historical research methods.
Knowledge of history (e.g., social history, Canadian, local history) and material culture.
Knowledge of museum practices and policies, including collections inventory, space allocation, and d