About the Department:
The Costume Institute's collection represents over 35,000 examples of fashionable dress and accessories for women, men, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present. The goals of The Costume Institute's collection are to represent and maintain a comprehensive timeline of costume from the eighteenth century forward, and to be a collection of "masterworks," examples of dress of the highest technical artistry with an exemplary aesthetic, and, if after 1850, by a designer of lasting significance.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As the Collections Management Assistant, you will provide essential support across collections functions with a focus of processing new acquisitions. You will track, maintain, and organize objects within the collection as well as provide general support for the collections team.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Organize, prepare, pack, and place objects in both on and offsite storage following preventive collections care principles.
Coordinate integration of new objects into the collection, including writing object descriptions, labeling, identifying object storage needs, and placing in home storage locations.
Maintain and monitor accurate object locations in TMS through regular object inventory and auditing.
Take part in ongoing Collections initiatives including object organization, updating storage materials, and object monitoring.
Participate in object pulls and put backs for exhibition, loan, study, photography, and object transport.
Conduct research appointments and manage related object pulls/put backs and condition checks.
Assist with general storage facility maintenance, cleaning, and integrated pest management.
Help create optimized storage mounts as needed.
Support assessment initiatives including research, organization, and object packing as needed.
Assist with loan packing/unpacking, mannequin dressing, and the installation and de-installation of departmental exhibitions as needed.
Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
BA degree in Museum Studies, Costume/Fashion History, or a related degree
Experience with costume handling, packing, and storage
Understanding of preventive care, collection maintenance, and general conservation principles for fashion and textiles
Comprehensive knowledge of fashion history and terminology
Demonstrated hand skills through storage mount creation, sewing, or similar.
Object organization and tracking skills
Close attention to detail
Familiarity with The Museum System or similar object database
Strong computer skills with familiarity of Microsoft Excel
Proven ability to work independently, taking initiative in task management, and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and positive work ethic
Ability to lift 30-40 pounds.
COMPENSATION RATE:
Pay Rate: $29.00 / Hourly
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
