ASSISTANT CURATOR, ARCHAEOLOGY/ETHNOGRAPHY

Definition

Under the general supervision of the Curator of Archaeology/Ethnography in the State Museum, Department of State, initiates, plans, researches, implements, and evaluates exhibitions of prehistoric, historic, and archaeological/ethnographic subjects; seeks, researches, and administers traveling exhibitions from other museums and museum service agencies for presentation at the New Jersey State Museum; conducts research on the permanent collections of the New Jersey State Museum; plans and organizes prehistoric and historic archaeological research and related activities in the State of New Jersey; researches funding sources from corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and individuals; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Determines the requirements for effective collections and exhibitions of archaeological and ethnographic material; assesses appropriateness of artifacts in the collections or proposed for the collections for use in exhibitions, publications, and programs, and conducts the research required to implement programs.
• Studies and classifies artifacts; surveys and catalogs archaeological and ethnographic collections; conducts research on the ownership history, historical importance, maker, cultural group, or other identifiers of artifacts in the collections or proposed for the collections.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates the excavation of archaeological sites, including investigation of sites, test pitting, drafting plans and plotting areas for scientific excavation of the site, recording stratigraphy, and preserving and recording materials in the laboratory and in the field.
• Conducts site studies to determine and interpret customs of former inhabitants.
• Researches exhibition and collecting possibilities; keeps current with the scholarship on the prehistory and history of northeastern North America, and of the ethnographic collection; reviews current scholarly literature, visits museums and galleries, and maintains scholarly contacts.
• Provides recommendations of artifacts to be included in exhibitions, additions to the collections, gift acceptances, or deaccessioning of objects; selects artifacts for exhibitions from private or public collections based on historic or anthropological relevance, appropriateness to subject, availability, and other appropriate factors.
• Plans installation design to accommodate artifacts selected for exhibitions.
• Conducts statistical analyses of archaeological matters; compiles plans, tables, and graphs.
• Provides guidance and instruction to museum personnel and/or volunteers in the care and management of artifacts in the collections including assessment of condition, proper storage and handling, and accurate and complete location records.
• Prepares loan forms, condition reports, insurance forms, and all other forms for loans used in the exhibitions.
• Writes publication-ready copy for brochures, catalogs, and announcements which document and/or interpret the exhibition to the public.
• Drafts articles on archaeological matters and prepares manuscripts for publication.
• Prepares information for use in communication to the general public via the press and other media.
• Researches sources for outside funding based on knowledge of possible connections between the bureau's collections and foundations, corporations, governmental agencies, and individuals.
• Coordinates with other museum bureaus in the planning and implementation of exhibitions.
• Cooperates with state and interstate archaeological programs and organizations, and provides advice and assistance.
• Prepares correspondence and archaeological reports, articles, and other written materials.
• Establishes and maintains archaeological records and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology.

Experience

Two (2) years of archaeological field and laboratory experience, one (1) year of which shall have involved performing curatorial duties related to collecting, researching, and exhibiting the pre-historic archaeology of the northeastern portion of the United States in a museum or college/university.

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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of registrarial procedures, collection care and management, and exhibition planning in a museum.
• Knowledge of ethnographic, archaeological, and anthropological research techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of prehistoric archaeology of the northeastern portion of the United States.
• Knowledge of the principles, literature, and techniques of archaeology, anthropology, and ethnography.
• Knowledge of scientific field research techniques, including site investigation, test pitting, planning and plotting areas for scientific excavation, recording stratigraphy, and preserving and recording materials in the field and in the laboratory.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures used to classify and identify artifacts.
• Knowledge of the methods used to catalog archaeological and ethnographic collections.
• Knowledge of the value and importance of preserving archaeological records and materials.
• Ability to communicate to a variety of audiences including the general public, press, and specialized archaeology and ethnography scholars.
• Ability to work harmoniously with museum staff and outside consultants.
• Ability to coordinate activities with those of other bureaus in the museum.
• Ability to use a collections management system.
• Ability to coordinate the survey and excavation of sites, preservation of artifacts, recording of stratigraphy, and interpretation of findings.
• Ability to survey and catalog museum archaeological and ethnographic artifacts and collections.
• Ability to identify artifacts and provide expert advice and assistance.
• Ability to research funding sources from foundations, corporations, governmental agencies, and individuals.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and archaeological reports, articles, and other written materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain museum archaeological records and files.
• Ability to learn how 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 the 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 if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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.