Collections Management Technician

George Mason’s Gunston Hall, a National Historic Landmark located on scenic Mason Neck in Fairfax County, , is pleased to announce a new opportunity. We are seeking a detail- oriented, energetic emerging museum professional to help provide excellent care for our collection by serving as our 8-12 hour a week part-time Collections Management Technician.

The Collections Management Technician performs duties related to the preservation of and access to both Gunston Hall collections and objects on loan to Gunston Hall. The Collections Management Technician reports to the Curator of Collections. Under the direction of the Curator, the Collections Management Technician follows the Gunston Hall Collections Management Policy and Procedure Manuals and acts according to professional museum technical and ethical standards.

The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, an energetic personality, and creatively open mind. The candidate will be a solutions-oriented person who possesses exemplary communication skills, excels in a team environment, and respects both confidentiality and integrity.

The Collections Management Technician is primarily responsible for  Monitoring temperature, humidity, pests, and light levels  Assisting with efforts to prevent theft of or damage to collections items, including historic buildings  Assisting with the transfer of objects from one location to another  Preservation-level cleaning  Organizing and monitoring collections management supplies and equipment  Contributing to exhibition installation and de-installation  Processing loans, including receiving, packing/unpacking, and inventorying items, as well as preparing condition reports  Conducting inventories of collections items  Entering information into the collections management database.

Qualifications for this position include:  Demonstrated interest in museums.  At least one year of higher education, including college-level classes in history, American studies, material culture or a related field. An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but is not required.  Awareness of professional standards and practices relating to museum collections management.  Ability to communicate and produce correspondence, spreadsheets, and reports using Microsoft Excel and Word.  Familiarity with collections databases.

 Be able to climb, balance, reach overhead, stoop, kneel, and crouch.  Physical agility and strength required to lift and move up to 50 pounds.  Ability to tolerate indoor and outdoor working conditions.

The Collections Management Technician is an hourly (wage) position for 8-12 hours a week, varying as needs change. The hourly rate is $10.60. The position does not have health insurance or paid leave.

The mission of Gunston Hall is to utilize fully its physical and scholarly resources to stimulate continuing public exploration of democratic ideals as first presented by in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built by George Mason from 1755-1759. Today, the site includes Gunston Hall; reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.

To apply please send a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Martin, Director of Education and Guest Experiences at [email protected] by Friday, October 18, 2019.

Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.