MUSEUM CURATOR
Museum Curator is a competitive local-government title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Museum Curator is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, plans, organizes, develops, and directs all activities and programs in a general or multipurpose museum; supervises and coordinates work of employees engaged in acquisition, care, restoration, preservation, exhibition, and safeguarding of museum collections and specimens; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Discusses museum operation with governing body representatives or agency head to formulate new or change existing policies. Plans publicity and arranges for printing of brochures or placing of information in the media. Conducts tours, explaining points of interest and answering visitor questions. Trains and supervises guides and other museum employees. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records including permanent inventory, loans, and donations made to the museum. Supervises the cleaning, restoration, and preservation of exhibits. Photographs objects and conducts identity research. Plans, coordinates, and supervises physical changes to the museum such as repairs, restoration, and decoration. Plans and supervises employees in the renovation, decoration, and placement of objects in the museum. Supervises employees in the storage and protection of objects when not on display. Prepares budgets and handles purchases and initial authorization for payments. Plans special events and exhibits. Prepares reports and correspondence. Maintains safety and security measures for the building. Handles acquisition of loans and donations to the museum. Plans and carries out the educational functions of the facility such as providing for lectures, talks, guided tours, film showings, and informational pamphlets to acquaint, educate, and develop interest in those topics and subjects associated with the museum. Performs various record keeping tasks associated with curatorial work such as assigning code numbers to items and recording descriptive information in museum's permanent files to provide resource material for research, exhibit, and other similar reasons. Supervises and coordinates work of technical assistants by giving work assignments, reviewing work on completion, and training individuals in techniques related to acquisitioning, cataloging, storing, displaying, cleaning, and restoring various artifacts. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of and practice in techniques and methods of developing, expanding, and managing museum collections, and of classifying, documenting, and caring for specimens, artifacts, or objects of artistic, historical, or scientific value or significance. Knowledge of techniques and methods of planning and designing museum exhibits. Knowledge of the purposes and operation of a museum. Knowledge of the preparation of displays and exhibits. Knowledge of procedures used in cleaning, storage, and protection of objects in use and in storage. Knowledge of the layout most suitable for display purposes in view of space and other limitations. Knowledge of inventory cataloging and maintenance of records. Knowledge of loan and donation procedures. Ability to plan museum tours and to host special functions and meetings. Ability to work with members of the news media and schools to initiate publicity for the museum. Ability to conduct historical research on objects or documents and to transfer this research into concise informative information to the public. Ability to work with the public in receiving information, loans, and donations as well as to plan special events in an effort to encourage active participation by residents in the affairs of the museum Ability to work harmoniously with various groups and individuals interested in the museum and it's exhibits. Ability to supervise the design, preparation, installation, and maintenance of displays and exhibits. Ability to make the best use of available space, funds, personnel, equipment, and objects. Ability to prepare reports and articles for publication, brochures, and descriptive materials for publication. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to give talks before groups, organizations, and patrons. Ability to do historical research as it relates to exhibits. Ability to determine work to be accomplished, issue assignments, and instruct personnel in methods and techniques to utilize in performance of their duties. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret policies and procedures of the organization. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience in the planning, designing, preparation, and care of exhibits or collections of objects of artistic, historical, or scientific value orsignificance. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.