Job Description

Posting number: 26-243-C

Department: Office of History and Culture

Job classification: Museum Assistant

Posting type: Open

Categories: Museum

Summary

The Denton County Office of History and Culture oversees the 1896 Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum and the Denton County Historical Park. We are a place of learning and discovery that provides educational opportunities and learning resources to the Denton County community as a public service of the local county government. Some of the ways we do this is by offering museum tours, in-school presentations, historical lectures, community programing, and by maintaining a collection of artifacts and documents that have historical significance for preservation and posterity.

Our mission is to educate and engage our visitors by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the culture and history of Denton County. We are committed to the development and experience of Denton County history and dedicated to the cultural enrichment of our community. Our purpose is to welcome, inform, and inspire.

Under the supervision of the Office of History & Culture (OHC) staff, the Museum Assistant supports daily museum operations through collections care, historical research, content development, and assisting with departmental projects.

Responsibilities include assisting with the processing, inventory, documentation, and stewardship of objects in the OHC’s collections, as well as supporting the curators on collections-related projects. The Museum Assistant will write educational content including but not limited to, blog posts and social media content that promotes museum initiatives. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with museum staff on special events, educational programming, and other projects as needed.

This position requires a flexible schedule, including working every other Saturday, to support museum operations and programming.

Examples of duties

• Answer incoming calls to Museum Main Line, check voicemails daily, and direct messages to appropriate staff.
• Open and close museums as needed.
• Catalog Objects in the permanent collection per OHC’s cataloging standards.
• Conduct thorough historical research on objects using a variety of resources.
• Conduct routine condition reports of collections objects.
• Create or update digital profiles in the museum’s Collections Management Database Past Perfect, digitize analog records, and capture high-quality digital images of objects.
• Help maintain the cleanliness and care of permanent collections objects on exhibit.
• Support the work of all staff; duties may include assisting with tour and outreach programs, data entry, blog writing, social media marketing, exhibits, and research.
• Direct volunteer and visitor questions and concerns to the appropriate staff member.
• Report facility issues to appropriate staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Job responsibilities are subject to change at any time due to departmental priorities.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in History, Art History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or a related field is preferred.

Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required

Supplemental information

The Museum Assistant position is a paid, part-time/temporary position scheduled to work up to 30 per week and is not eligible to participate in the County’s health insurance or retirement plans.

• Up to 30 hours per week, temporary, 6 month grant position
• Must be available to work rotating Saturdays, 10-3 PM