Museum Technician

Date Revised: 11/14/2019

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Museum Technician

Job Category: Non-Exempt

PCLS: 40062

Salary Grade: D

Summary

Incumbents in the Museum Technician series provide ongoing care and documentation of a collection of artifacts, specimens, and/or artwork for a specified University museum, gallery, or library in accordance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations and University policies and procedures.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Museum Technicians perform diverse activities, including curatorial activities, in support of museum operations. Incumbents do not have the decision-making authority of a Curator.

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The Museum Technician reports to a Department Head, Director or Associate Director. This classification may hire, train, and supervise student and/or part-time employees.

Typical Functions

1. Provides support to the daily operations of the museum’s curatorial functions, to include research on University collections for publications, exhibitions, and/or related to the documentation, care, and maintenance of the collection.

2. Provides content support to education program staff.3. Builds, refines, and strengthens the permanent collection; develops interpretive materials.4. Oversees exhibition budgets and associated education program budgets.5. Writes, edits, and coordinates the development of promotional materials, educational materials,

catalogues, newsletters, program guides, and/or brochures, as requested.6. Performs office management duties, including managing schedules, scheduling meetings,

creating and processing forms, and maintaining records and databases.7. Conducts education and training for staff and docents.8. Serves as the representative to the general public, including answering general questions.9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. 10. May assist in the education of program staff.11. May participate in preparing grant proposals.12. May advise on new acquisitions to the collection.13. May prepare specimens and artifacts for collection.

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Museum Technician

Date Revised: 11/14/2019

JOB DESCRIPTION

14. May manage collection database (accession, deaccession, and cataloguing).15. May determine and maintain the appropriate environment in which to store specimens and

artifacts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of curatorial principles, methods, procedures, and techniques.2. Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter assigned.3. Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.4. Ability to coordinate meetings, events, and conferences.5. Skilled with computers and associate software.6. Knowledge of research, methodology, principles, and procedures.7. Knowledge of exhibition design.8. Ability to interact smoothly with donors, colleagues, educators, students, and artists.9. Ability to think creatively.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, biology, geology, or art history field or an equivalent combination of education and experienced is required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing). Incumbents must be able to effectively communicate.

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises, vibrations, from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects around 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Fundamental Abilities

Within the scope and complexity of each position’s responsibilities, each incumbent is expected to possess and demonstrate the following abilities:

1. Communicating : Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.

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Museum Technician

Date Revised: 11/14/2019

JOB DESCRIPTION

2. Problem solving : Analyzes information and evaluates results to select the best solution and solve problems.

3. Monitoring : Measures performance of self; makes improvements and takes appropriate corrective action.

4. Critical Thinking : Comes to well-reasoned conclusions, solutions, and approaches to problems.5. Team Building : Works to create a team-based environment. Consistently demonstrates

cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers.6. Active Listening : Gives full attention when others are speaking; listens to understand, asks

questions as appropriate, and does not interrupt.7. Service Orientation : Actively seeks opportunities to help others.8. Conflict Resolution : Acts professionally when encountering customers who, at times, may be

frustrated.

Core Characteristics

As representatives of Utah State University and primary contributors to its mission, all employees are expected to demonstrate the following characteristics:

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2. Take initiative.3. Maintain confidentiality.4. Be accountable.5. Behave ethically.6. Be honest and trustworthy.7. Demonstrate a strong work ethic.

8. Be inquisitive.9. Be detail oriented.10. Be self-motivated.11. Efficiently manage multiple tasks.12. Be a team player.13. Be committed to improving USU.

Disclaimer

This position description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.

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