JOB POSTING AUGUST 9, 2018 ASSISTANT CURATOR of THE HBC COLLECTION (Maternity Leave 0.6)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Pay Group: TBD 1. General Reporting to the Director of Research, Collections and Exhibitions (RCE), the Assistant Curator of the HBC Collection is responsible for the HBC collection of over 26,000 artifacts, including the corporate gift of the replica 17th century Nonsuch ketch. This collection contains European, Euro-Canadian, First Nations, Métis and Inuit artifacts from the late 17th century through to the mid-20th century. The subject matter includes the history of the HBC within the contexts of exploration, the commercial fur trade, the development of economic, political and social relations with Indigenous communities, European immigration and early settlement.

The Assistant Curator of the HBC Collection is a one-year maternity leave position with the equivalent of 21 hours a week. This position serves as the in-house historian, knowledge facilitator and spokesperson for the HBC Collection. Guided by institutional policies and procedures and annual goals and objectives, s/he assists in the management of the research, storage and laboratory facility situated in the Museum’s NE wing. S/he works collaboratively with the Curator of Cultural Anthropology to care for, research and interpret diverse First Nations, Métis and Inuit artifacts, and collaborates with the Museum’s curatorial staff on projects of a cross-disciplinary nature. S/he shall support the Nonsuch and HBC Galleries and collection, prepare exhibition content (if required), respond to public inquiries, maintain established partnerships, and lend support to internal programs (e.g. customized behind-the-scene tours) and fund- raising initiatives as required.

The incumbent shall maintain an excellent working relationship with the HBC History Foundation, the HBC Archives (Archives of Manitoba), Canada’s History Magazine, the Centre for Rupert’s Land Studies (University of Winnipeg), national and international heritage institutions, educational facilities and organizations, and community groups and individuals.

2. Key Accountabilities & Typical Duties A. Priority 1: Collections To support the existing collections within the special mandate of the HBC Collection that preserves the national and international artifactual heritage of the Company, in a manner consistent with institutional directives and professional standards. i. Facilitates access to the HBC Museum Collection for external researchers. ii. Contributes to object identification and assists with written and photographic documentation of artifacts. iii. Maintains an existing strategic 3-year rolling Research and Collecting plan. iv. In consultation with the Director of RCE, receives offers of new acquisitions for recommendation to the Collections Committee. v. In consultation with the Director of RCE and Manager of Conservation and Collections, approves issuance of appropriate receipts and loans for artifacts as per Museum Collections established standards. vi. Data collection, record keeping and writing for activities related to the HBC Museum Collection for contribution to the Annual Report.

B. Priority 2: Interpretation and Communication To interpret knowledge obtained from research and other sources for TMM’s purposes, and to communicate this with staff and the various communities TMM serves. i. Acts as a main knowledge resource and spokesperson for the HBC Collection, responding to media and public inquiries. ii. Shares knowledge of content and materials for existing galleries and exhibitions through public requests, programs, publications, lectures and consultation. iii. Provides support to and conducts in-house and external programs such as presentation of lectures and planning and leading related tours as required. iv. Provides scholarly consultation and liaison with various institutions as required.

C. Priority 3: Research To seek and acquire new knowledge through primary research in fields relating to the HBC Collection that increases understanding of the Museum’s special collection and history of the Company, by the public TMM serves and society. i. In consultation with the Director of RCE, conducts primary research through study of existing collections (area of potential research: Fur Trade; Plains material culture; Blacksmith Maker Marks). ii. Furthers research through scholarly consultation and liaison with various institutions. iii. Maintains an existing strategic 3-year rolling Research and Collecting plan. 1

JOB POSTING AUGUST 9, 2018

D. Priority 4: Management and Supervision To advance institutional goals and objectives by initiating, coordinating and managing sectional projects and functions. i. Performs administrative duties, including maintaining existing work plans, departmental budget, and reviewing and supporting ongoing collections and records management. ii. Works collaboratively with the Curator of Cultural Anthropology on Indigenous representation in the museum, Indigenous community collaboration, and repatriation. In collaboration with the Director of RCE, represents the Indigenous Collection in the absence of other curatorial staff. iii. Oversees the work of volunteers, interns, students, and research assistants and maintains museum collections protocols. iv. In consultation with the Director of RCE and when required, initiates, writes, reviews, and assesses grant applications and participates in fee-for-service contracts and general fundraising initiatives. v. In consultation with the Director of RCE and if required, coordinates and participates in partnerships on projects with external agencies and communities.

E. Performs other duties as reasonably assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge i. Knowledge of Canadian history, with an emphasis on North-American fur trade and material culture, First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit history. ii. Demonstrated knowledge of material culture associated with the North American fur trade, and its impact on diverse cultures, from earliest European contact into the twenty-first century. iii. Knowledge of traditional, modern and post-modern principles of historiography, museology, the study of material cultural property, and demonstrated field research methods that may include archival research and collecting oral histories, etc. iv. Knowledge of museum operations, policy and procedure, collections management, use of intellectual property, and the relevance of these to TMM’s mission and mandate. v. Established working relationships and/or familiarity with two or more of: provincial, educational, heritage, cultural and community organizations, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural, educational, and political organizations. vi. Sound communication skills: ability to write professional level publications, deliver PowerPoint presentations, simplify complex ideas for all ages of public comprehension, speak clearly and concisely, and exercise utmost respect, tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information. vii. Ability to manage, train and motivate assigned interns and volunteers. viii. Competent computer keyboard skills and familiarity with the MS Office Suite, Internet use, as well as standard collections database, digital imaging and scanning software. ix. Ability to work both independently and as a team member on multiple projects, adhering to institutional goals and objectives. x. Ability to perform heavy physical activity of short duration, including the lifting of objects in excess of 10 kg. xi. Ability to travel if required.

2. Education, Training and Experience i. Education includes a Master of Arts (M.A.) in an appropriate related field (e.g., Archaeology, Anthropology, History) with emphasis on North-American fur trade and material culture, First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit history; transferable knowledge and skill sets applicable to multiple areas of discipline-related investigation; a record of publications in the area of specialization would be an asset. ii. A minimum of two years of related museum or collections-based experience. iii. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

This is a part-time term position consisting of three days per week commencing October, 2018 till September, 2019. The incumbent will report to the Director of Research, Collections and Exhibitions. Please submit your resume including cover letter stating your salary expectations by August 23, 2018 to: Director of Human Resources The Manitoba Museum 190 Rupert Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0N2 [email protected]

We are not able to acknowledge receipt of applications submitted via Fax or mail. The Manitoba Museum is committed to employment equity and welcomes diversity in the workplace. We thank2 all applicants for their interest; however, only those being considered for interviews will be contacted.