Now Hiring for: Curator
Hours: Exempt 40 hours/week (weekdays with some evenings and weekends), with benefits
Salary: $65,000 to $75,000
Position Description: The Curator is responsible for managing the historical collections, exhibits, archives, and research library at Rancho Los Cerritos, a National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark. Working collaboratively with other staff, the Curator assists with public events and educational initiatives. The curator also supervises, trains, and mentors support staff, volunteers and interns. The Rancho is a dynamic organization with a small staff and many activities; all staff members must be versatile and cooperative in carrying out a variety of responsibilities and duties as assigned. The position works closely with all staff particularly the Executive Director, Education and Development departments, Horticulturalist, and Facilities and Maintenance Director.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Advanced research skills and ability to access and utilize historic information from reliable sources
- Passion for telling diverse stories and incorporating a range of experiences in the site’s historical interpretation
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Willingness to train, supervise, and mentor volunteers and interns
- Highly motivated with the ability to exercise initiative and good judgment, ability to deal with rapidly changing priorities, possess excellent problem-solving, organization, administrative, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to effectively manage and track multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure with a high degree of accuracy, and meet due dates
- Computer literacy with demonstrated competence in word processing and database management
- Enthusiasm for the mission of Rancho Los Cerritos and the communities we serve
- Ability to keep to internal and external due dates
Key Duties:
- Acquire, accession, catalog, inventory and preserve artifact collections and archival documents according to site needs and the collections policy, working with the archivist.
- Determine conservation needs coordinate collections care with outside contractors when necessary.
- Maintain existing historic room exhibits and develop and implement furnishing plans for new rooms based on the Rancho’s Master Plan.
- Develop, research and install temporary exhibits and interpretive signage on a rotation schedule
- Research the history of the site and region, and share information through volunteer and intern education, exhibits, lectures, and special events. Works closely with the Education Department.
- Oversee the California History Research Library and Archives and assist researchers as needed. Ensure public accessibility and work to raise awareness for these collections
- Recruit, coordinate and work with volunteers and interns on exhibits, collection management, and other curatorial projects.
- Assist in preserving and maintaining the historic building, in collaboration with the Facilities & Maintenance Director and approved outside contractors
- Develop and coordinate public events that share diverse stories about the site and region’s history
- Work with the Development team to support grant applications for curatorial projects.
- Contribute to ongoing long-range planning, including the Opening Doors campaign, sustainability plan, educational master plan, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) committee
- Develop and manage annual budget for curatorial operations and programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: BA required in public history, museum studies or related discipline; MA in same disciplines OR two years employment or equivalent experience at a museum, historic site, or related institution preferred. Knowledge of Spanish desirable.
- Skills & Competencies: General knowledge of curatorial practices; excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong attention to detail; exceptional research skills; comfortable working with an online database; collaborative work ethic. Ability to work a regular schedule with flexible evening and weekend hours as needed. This person must be self-motivated, able to set priorities and multi-task, and work well with volunteers and interns.
Rancho Los Cerritos is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, national origin, disability status, age, or veteran status.
To Apply: Qualified applicants can e-mail cover letter and current resume by June 11, 2021 to alisonb@rancholoscerritos.org or mail these documents to Alison Bruesehoff, Executive Director, Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807. No phone calls please.
https://www.rancholoscerritos.org/about-hub/careers/