Posted: Jan 21, 2025

Collections Assistant

Erie Canal Museum - Syracuse, NY
Part-time
Salary: $17.00 - $17.00 Hourly
Application Deadline: Feb 14, 2025
Collections Management

Position Summary:

The Erie Canal Museum, located in downtown Syracuse, New York, engages the public in the story of the Erie Canal’s transformative impacts on peoples and places in the past, present, and future. We are stewards and interpreters of Erie Canal related materials and heritage. Established in 1962, the Erie Canal Museum shares 200 years of Erie Canal history through interactive displays, original artifacts, and public programs.

The Collections Assistant will assist the Archivist & Collections Manager in tasks relating to the management, organization, and use of the collections.  A key priority for the Collections Assistant in 2025 will be coordinating the Erie Canal Bicentennial Research Project. This will include helping to promote the project, assisting researchers, organizing the review process, planning for the publication, and coordinating with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Regular Responsibilities:

  • Answer research requests by conducting reference interviews, locating relevant materials in our PastPerfect database and inventory spreadsheets, digitizing materials if necessary, and supervising in-person research visits.
  • Assist the Archivist & Collections Manager with inventorying, processing, and arranging collections.
  • Help to supervise volunteers in collections-related work.
  • Perform day-to-day Museum activities, including leading tours and engaging with Museum visitors, 
  • Assist in securing funding to support the Museum’s initiatives by helping to identify and prepare grant applications.
  • Other duties to be assigned as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Google Sheets and/or Excel proficiency.
  • Experience using PastPerfect or other collections database software preferred
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with Museum staff, volunteers, researchers, visitors, and partners
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism. 

Qualifications:

  • Degree in library science, museum studies, history, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
  • Completed coursework in Information Resources and Reference Services preferred
  • Weekend availability required 

Additional Details:  

This in-person part time position pays $17 per hour and works about 20 hours per week, including Sundays, with the exact schedule determined monthly. Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits are available. Personal time, holidays, and sick time are included.  

How To Apply:

To apply, candidates should send a cover letter of no more than 1,000 words addressing why you’d like to work at the Erie Canal Museum and your qualifications for this position; a resume or Curriculum Vitae; and two references.  

Applications packages should be submitted as PDFs via email to Natalie Stetson, Executive Director, at [email protected]  with “Collections Assistant" in the subject line. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.