Check Collections Manager jobs in Maine

Job Title: Archivist / Collections Manager

Location: Newcastle, Maine

Reports To: Deputy Director

Founded in 2009, the Frances Perkins Center honors the legacy of Frances Perkins by sharing her commitment to the principle that government should provide all its people with the best possible life, and by promoting the place that shaped her character. The Center fulfills its mission through a variety of means, including the management of Frances Perkins’ Homestead in Newcastle, Maine and the preservation and interpretation of the place that inspired her pioneering achievements.

The Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a 57-acre site that was owned and farmed by the Perkins family for over 270 years. Anchored by the 1837 Brick House and attached barn complex, it includes foundations and archeological remains of earlier structures and remnants of a brick-making operation where bricks to build the house were made. The Frances Perkins Center acquired the Homestead and its contents in 2020.

The Center is seeking a contract Archivist / Collections Manager to take a comprehensive approach to developing collections policies and strategies for care of the significant collections at the Frances Perkins Homestead NHL. A dedicated Archivist / Collections Manager will conduct expert research and analysis to help FPC identify and properly catalogue the plethora of Perkins’ family artifacts, papers, and objects housed at the Homestead National Historic Landmark; create collections policies; and make the items accessible for public inquiry and curation.

The collection has been previously inventoried and includes:

• Furnishings, books, artwork, and other household contents from the NHL 1837 Brick House.
• Clothing and personal items that belonged to Frances Perkins and her extended family.
• Farm, brick making, and garden equipment and tools from the barn and work buildings.
• Documents and photographs that belonged to Frances Perkins and her family, including farm and business records and correspondence dating back to the 18th century.
• Documents and digital files related to the history of the Frances Perkins Center and oral histories collected by the Center.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Create an overarching collections management plan that includes establishing a documentation system for use and interpretation by a curator.
• Develop and implement policies and standards for the processing and preservation of materials, including guidance and criteria for handling loans, accepting gifts, accessioning and deaccessioning, and more.
• Arrange, assess, and describe collections in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
• Conduct expert research and use detailed knowledge of collections to identify items, properly catalogue items, and prepare descriptions and finding aids for the collection.
• Recommend proper handling and storage for collection items, providing preventative treatment and organization as necessary.
• Lead digitization of appropriate materials, including prioritizing the order of digitization projects.
• Provide guidance in identifying and soliciting funds, including grant proposal writing, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Degree in History, Museum Studies, or other appropriate field with specialized focus in managing a historic collection.
• Training or 3 - 5 years on-the-job experience in museum registration procedures, preventative conservation, and collections management.
• Detailed knowledge of collections care practices and basic conservation skills.
• Experienced researcher able to analyze, manage, and organize information.
• Skilled in coordinating resources and establishing priorities.
• Knowledge of archival ethics and laws relating to archival management.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Skilled in communicating technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Experience with Windows- and Google-based operating environments, as well as collections management software such as Proficio. Ability to learn additional platforms used to complete individual and cross-functional work.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a two-year, grant funded role paying $45,000 annually. This role is considered an independent contractor not eligible for benefits and expected to work part-time hours to fulfill contract obligations during the grant period.

Location:

The Frances Perkins Center is a non-profit organization and National Historic Landmark located in Newcastle, Maine. Most work is conducted indoors and may require climbing on ladders or carrying materials within the house and attached barn complex. Work may involve outdoor field work.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should send a resume and a cover letter explaining why they are interested in this opportunity and how it is well aligned with their experience to Amanda at: ahatch at francesperkinscenter.org

Nondiscrimination:

The Frances Perkins Center is an equal-opportunity employer which recognizes and encourages people of all identities to apply. The organization does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, national origin, ancestry, public assistance, ethnic background, religion, marital status, economic class, age, disability, sex, creed, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and any other legally protected characteristic. The Center complies with all applicable national, state, and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

Job Types: Contract, Temporary

Pay: $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours

Experience:

• Collection management: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Newcastle, ME (Required)

Work Location: In person