Collections Specialist - Cataloger, Jackson House (full time)
The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
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The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward.
The Collections Specialist – Cataloger position is part of a project to process and care for objects associated with the home and contents of Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson of Selma, Alabama (Jackson Home Project). The Jackson home and contents were recently acquired by The Henry Ford and relocated to Dearborn, Michigan. The cataloger will be responsible for ensuring the integrity and completeness of the documentary records of The Henry Ford by researching, cataloging, and processing the collection. Works closely with the registrars, curatorial and the project team. Reports to the Registrar.
This is a temporary two-and-a-half-year position.
Responsibilities
Essential Responsibilities
Maximizes intellectual access to collection information through the timely creation and/or modification of electronic catalog information, ensuring quality control through associated lexicon, thesauri, and metadata standards following museum field practices and approved by the institution.
Practices a high standard of advanced research using primary and secondary resources to accurately interpret and catalog collection.
Determines steps that need to be taken to properly organize and catalog objects and groups of objects in the collection; this entails physical and intellectual arrangement.
Understands and applies relevant professional standards and guidelines. Responsible for keeping up to date on revisions in cataloging, including inclusive description practices.
Facilitates workflow by coordinating input from the project team for the purpose of developing project schedules and task assignments related to the processing of the collection.
Assists with reference image creation and file management process of those images into the collections management system.
Provides timely and accurate responses to internal and external inquiries for information about collection. Uses appropriate resources to conduct complex record searches and generate reports.
Assists in the development of guidelines for object processing and cataloging.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Your Qualifications
Undergraduate degree required, preferably in American History, Information Studies, Museum Studies or related field.
An advanced certificate or degree in Material Culture Studies, Museum Studies or Public History desirable.
Two years training or experience in museum registration, collections management, archival management or related area preferred.
Valid driver’s license.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Experience with computerized applications (particularly collections management, library or archival management, or database management systems) is required.
Excellent research skills and ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently.
Must have ability to work well with a variety of people and excel in a team-based environment.
Familiarity with standard cataloging theories and practice required.
Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.