Job Description

Service Area: Public Services Department: Culture and Recreation Division: Guelph Museums Work Location: Guelph Civic Museum, 52 Norfolk St Work Mode: In Person Job Type and Duration: Temporary, Full time Vacancy Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position Salary Range: $19.47 to $22.90 per hour (effective April 30, 2026) Affiliation: Non-Union Posting Period: April 2, 2026 to April 10, 2026 11:59 p.m.

Why Join the City of Guelph?When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

About Guelph MuseumsGuelph Museums (Guelph, Ontario) consists of three heritage sites – Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House, and Locomotive 6167 – through which we explore our local histories in the form of exhibitions, online access, educational programming, and community events.

The place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands and a place of refuge for many peoples over time, including the Attiwonderonk and the Haudenosaunee. This land is held as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldimand Tract and is part of a long-established traditional hunting ground for the Six Nations of the Grand River. Many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, from across Turtle Island, call Guelph home today.

As a centre of learning, Guelph Museums is a trusted source for understanding our cultural past; however, as a colonial institution, we have contributed to the marginalization of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour and their communities. Now and forward, Guelph Museums is centering the voices of peoples historically silenced in colonial spaces.

In 2026, we are committed to projects that strengthen and build relationships and are embedded in rigorous research, consultation, and collaboration. We aim to create safer and braver spaces for truth telling, attract and connect with diverse audiences, deepen visitor engagement, and embrace innovative, leading-edge museum practices and technologies. These guiding principles inform all that we do at Guelph Museums and, as such, extend to the incumbent in the Curatorial Assistant position described below.

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Curatorial Assistant at Guelph Museums, within the Culture and Recreation Department of Public Services. Reporting to the Curator, Museums & Culture, the Curatorial Assistant will advance scholarship and deaccession priorities within Guelph Museums' Fine Art Collection, comprising 411 items. The position is partially funded through Canadian Heritage: Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations program.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Review and assess materials in the Fine Art Collection
• Identify, research, and incorporate artist biographical information into public records
• Update publicly available catalogue records to current standards and incorporate artist information
• Identify deaccession candidates within collection; prepare and present deaccession report; and facilitate transfer of material
• Organize Fine Art storage drawers and rehouse works on paper
• Complete photo documentation of Fine Art collection
• Acquire valuable work experience in a community museum environment and skills that are broadly transferable across Canada's Museum sector
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and requirements

• Enrollment in one of the following post-secondary programs of study: History, Art History, other Humanities/Social Sciences, Collections Conservation and Management, or Applied Museum Studies.

• Strong organizational skills, good computer skills, digital programming skills, and some experience in research.

• Data entry skills and experience with PastPerfect (or other data management systems) are considered assets.

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.

• Must be registered with Young Canada Works: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/heritage-organizations-students.html

• Must meet eligibility requirements as determined by Young Canada Works:

  • are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);

  • are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);

  • are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and are a high school, college, CEGEP or university student.

Hours of work35 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (must be available some weekends and evenings). This is a fixed term contract, from May 11, 2026, until August 28, 2026.

How to applyInterested candidates can submit their application by April 10, 2026, to https://young-canada-works.canada.ca/

For more information, please contact: dawn.owen@guelph.ca (subject line: Curatorial Assistant – YCW)

Hiring Process TransparencyThe City of Guelph is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Candidates who participate in an interview for this position will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their interview. Notifications will be provided in writing, or through technology.

Commitment to Diversity & AccessibilityThe City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Privacy Notice Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.