Museum Assistant

Position Focus :

Reporting to the Senior Associate Registrar, the Museum Assistant will work on an in-progress large-scale collection inventory and move. Demonstrating experience in museum registration best practices and independent initiative, the Museum Assistant, working with members of the art handling, conservation, curatorial departments, will assist with the completion of an object inventory at one of the Gallery’s off-site storage facilities, and arrange shipments to another facility; assist with other shipping activities for the Registrar’s Office; and other registration tasks as assigned.

Assist with the inventory, un / packing, receiving, and shipping of collection objects within and between Gallery storage facilities. Inventory permanent collection objects and long-term loans prior to move. Reconcile documentation, including paper and electronic records. Update and delete collection records. Retire and create storage locations in the data management system (TMS). Prepare shipping manifests. Release and receive shipments. Other duties as assigned. The position involves working at multiple work sites within the greater New Haven area.

Essential Duties

1. Serves as source of specialized information to the public, visiting scholars, and students. Explains and describes the collection and available reference material through workshops, lectures and in response to inquiries. 2. Maintains the order of and ensures the special care, security, and proper user handling of collections and exhibits. Reconstructs, repairs, and restores art / specimens using preservation and conservation techniques. Catalogues and makes routine identifications of new acquisitions. 3. Conducts research related to the collections and exhibits. Selects art / specimens for display. Prepares collection for exhibition. May assist with installing and disassembling exhibits. 4. Composes correspondence related to the collections and exhibits. Oversees and instructs support staff. 5. May prepare budget and financial material related to particular collection. May collect specimens for use in exhibits. Performs clerical functions incidental to curatorial activities.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Demonstrated experience working in a museum. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as a team player. Ability to coordinate a team as appropriate. Work cooperatively with others and offer support in a high volume, multi-tasked, multi-location, deadline-driven environment with a large team of people.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to be detail-oriented, accurate, thorough, recognize errors, problem-solve, remain focused, complete complex data entry, and exercise good independent judgment.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Proven record of excellent organizational skills with the ability to concentrate, remain focused, prioritize work to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Ability to be reliable and dependable in attendance and punctuality, as confirmed by references.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Excellent computer skills, including demonstrated experience with relational databases (preferably TMS), as well as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here :

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement :

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.