Assistant Registrar
Position: Assistant Registrar
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Department: Gantz Family Collections Center
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
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Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
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Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
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Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
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Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.
We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!
The Assistant Registrar will oversee all aspects of new acquisitions for selected areas of the Anthropology Collection, including correspondence, legal paperwork and other documentation, and physical processing. This person will work with curators, registrars, collections managers, and conservators to determine the needs of each incoming collection. They will also be responsible for managing the rights and reproductions, internal exhibition loans, and destructive analysis requests for selected geographic areas. They will help train and oversee staff, interns, and volunteers to assist in various projects. The Assistant Registrar will also be responsible for helping the Head Registrar with department level administration of the museum’s collections management system (EMu), and will assist with other collections management tasks as needed. This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) Monday through Friday with occasional evenings or travel.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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Arrange for incoming new acquisitions (correspond with donors, generate paperwork, arrange for appropriate packing and shipping, assign numbers, and create and maintain paper and electronic records)
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Physically process new acquisitions (basic cataloging, photography, labeling, and housing)
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Manage rights and reproduction requests (correspond with requesters, get necessary approvals, complete paperwork, send invoices, and enter information into the database)
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Train and assist with volunteers and interns
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Assist with Deaccessions
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Manage internal exhibition loans
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Process and record destructive analysis requests and data
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Assist with department level administration of the museum’s collections management system, EMu, including database clean-up and digital asset management
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Perform other registration and collections-related activities as assigned. This could include assisting with the development of and updates to registration policies, procedures, and forms, assisting Collections Managers with visiting researchers, and other tasks
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Art History, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred but not required
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Minimum 3 years museum registration experience or an equivalent combination of education, hands-on training, and experience
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Thorough understanding of best practices in museum registration and collections management.
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Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with acquisitions, deaccessions, standard registration protocols, and museum legal and ethical issues is required
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and track work to completion
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High level of attention to detail(complete precise work, especially in relation to physical processing)
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Self-motivated and able to handle confidential information with discretion
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external parties, including curators, collections managers, conservators, interns, volunteers, donors, estate executors, artists, and supply and service vendors
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Demonstrated ability to negotiate and resolve non-routine issues
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Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro
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Experience with museum collections management databases, particularly EMu; Crystal Reports knowledge desirable
Special Requirements
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Must be able to work with artifacts and records for long hours in storage areas.
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Close examination of objects may demand stooping, kneeling, bending, and good vision.
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Ability to participate in transportation of artifacts and to endure various temperatures during outdoor loading and unloading of object crates.
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May occasionally need to move object and loan crates. Must be able to lift 30lbs without assistance.
Supervision Received:
Receives general supervision by Head Registrar, Anthropology Collections.
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Work Hours and Shift:
35 hours per week, Monday-Friday with occasional evenings or travel.
Hybrid Eligibility:
Not eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO.
Pay Range: 24.00 hourly
PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at [email protected].
