Registrar

The Registrar is responsible for the oversight of museum registration duties, including accessioning, deaccessioning, loan processing, and records management. As part of the RMSC Collections Department team, the Registrar reviews and considers potential acquisitions to the collections, responds to and tracks collections and archival-related requests, and assists researchers and the public in accessing the collection, archives, and primary source documentation and securing image use permissions. This individual must stay current with relevant laws, best practices, and ethics pertaining to museum collections and ensure adherence to collections management policies. This individual is responsible for ensuring professional standards and cultural responsiveness for collections preservation and documentation, including the creation and maintenance of systems for object and archival tracking and intellectual accessibility.  

DUTIES

Describe duties, responsibilities, essential functions (percentage of time dedicated to these duties is variable):

• Developing and maintaining policies and procedures for RMSC registration processes based on current standards and best practices. 
• Managing object registration records, including accessions, deaccessions, loans, and primary file documentation.
• Maintaining and updating the collections management database with new records, object and archives tracking, and other relevant information.
• Creating and maintaining a positive, culturally responsive, and mutually beneficial working relationship with the regional community in the acquisition, interpretation, and sharing of collections.
• Fulfilling a wide variety of collections, research access, and information requests from groups and individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Responding to image and media requests, including digitizing source material when needed.
• Supporting the collections department by tracking requests and collection activities, including image, reference, research, loan, and donation requests.
• Supporting the exhibits and programs of the RMSC by providing technical and interpretive assistance, including research, curation, and access to collections. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct supervision of volunteers and interns on an as-needed basis.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Technology, Equipment, Tools: 

• Collections Management Database
• Microsoft Office Products
• Google Suite
• Adobe Photoshop/Suite

Skills:

• Excellent organizational and research skills, including accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in a professional setting.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw constructive conclusions. 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to work both individually and in a team, working with community members, museum staff, interns, partner organizations, and volunteers.
• Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Comfortable with decision-making in ambiguous situations.
• Especially motivated, adaptable, and skilled in working with others in cross-cultural environments.
• Ability to move throughout the building to access collections and transport them to a working area. 
• Ability to work with mechanical and digital equipment and move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with disabilities.

Ability to move throughout the building to access collections and transport them to a working area. Ability to work with mechanical and digital equipment and move equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Ability to travel locally for business meetings/functions, including occasional overnight travel as the job requires.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience working in registration and museum work.

Skills/Competencies Requirements:

The Registrar has the skills or demonstrates the willingness to learn the skills listed below:

• An understanding of current concepts and principles of museum registration practices.
• An understanding of curatorial and preservation concepts, methods, and techniques, including collections management systems and databases.
• An understanding of museum ethics and laws relating to collections management and registration.
• An understanding of best practices for the cataloging, processing, and caring of museum collections and archives. 
• Experience with digitization methods, including an understanding of metadata for digital objects and digital file formats.
• An understanding of research methods and skill in providing research assistance, including an ability to research objects, archives, provenience, and scientific and cultural topics.
• Familiarity with environmental control systems and their general functionality.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

RMSC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. This policy expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic predisposition, gender identity or expression, carrier status, domestic violence victim status, veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.