Job Description

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Overview

Under the supervision of the Head of Study Room at the Yale Center for British Art, the Study Room Team Lead works independently and as part of a team to coordinate and contribute to the operations of the Study Room and the Collections Seminar Room, with a focus on Public Services and collections

stewardship. This requires leading the distribution of work of at least 2 FTE Museum Assistants within the Study Room to ensure the smooth flow of items, users, and staff. This position distributes and monitors paging and related tasks assigned to Museum Assistants in the Study Room, and completes

self-directed detail-oriented work with collection objects in preparation for Study Room use. This incumbent is responsible for scheduling appointments, coordinating and contributing to desk coverage, and establishing access and logistics for the Study Room. This position also serves as an expert resource regarding collections materials. This incumbent creates a welcoming space for people interested in engaging with collections for class visits, research, discussion, and inspiration by providing high level customer service to inform, instruct, and guide use of spaces and collections.

• Leads a unit or function, including overseeing and coordinating projects or work processes, and distributes the work of a minimum of two full-time employees.
• Serves as a primary source of information on established procedures and policies for staff and patrons.
• May perform a range of public and technical services functions.
• Oversees, coordinates, distributes and monitors the work of staff including preparing daily work assignments, monitoring workflow and making adjustments as needed.
• Provides research assistance to patrons and staff in writing and at reference desk.
• Interviews patrons to determine scope and depth of requests. Identifies and resolves problems.
• Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, reference sources, files, and databases.
• Develops and maintains system to review shelving for accuracy. Primary responsibility for shelving quality control.
• Keeps statistics related to shelving to establish workflow metrics.
• Acquires library material that has been recommended by patrons or librarians.
• Oversees a unit budget. Monitors expenditures, reconciles statements and maintains records.
• Organizes special projects.
• Participates in the training of new employees, casual employees, and student employees. Conducts tours assists with other training as needed.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Public Services

• Leads, coordinates, distributes, and monitors work to all (two or more), of the department’s Museum Assistants associated with all individual appointments and group visits.
• Coordinates desk coverage and logistical support within multiple Study Room spaces in accordance with units’ missions and priorities established by the Head of Study Room.
• Coordinates access by working with individuals and organizers of internal and external groups and classes to clarify needs and the use of Study Room spaces, technology, and collections.
• Uses multiple platforms and technology to schedule all logistical components associated with Study Room visits; disseminates details to colleagues within the department, internal audiences, and external users; and embraces new technology to facilitate this work.
• Utilizing extensive knowledge of collection services, provides assistance to users, staff, and YCBA departments in-person, by phone, and electronically to assist users with digital search and request tools; e.g. Aeon, YCBA Collections Online, Archives at Yale, Quicksearch.
• Ensures that users are able to discover and request items from the YCBA and other Yale Special Collections.
• Welcomes individuals and groups to the Study Room; while balancing collections stewardship and diverse user needs, instructs visitors in use of collections and procedures designed to prevent damage and theft.
• Collaboratively provides desk coverage for all Study Room spaces; monitors use of collection materials by individuals and groups.
• Interacts with Study Room users to determine needs and refers users to other staff as appropriate.

Data Creation and Maintenance

• Utilizes technology skills to create, update, and ensure accuracy of data across institutional databases (e.g. Aeon and The Museum System)
• Organizes the collection and recording of statistical data about all aspects of public services using Aeon and Airtable, which requires a high level of technical skills.
• Accurately documents Study Room use by groups and individuals, tracks item movement, and maintains confidential data about users and items used.

Object Handling, Use, and Care

• Utilizing methods, materials, and specialized handling skills and with attention to details, locates, pulls, sets up, assists with use, and accurately re-files collections items from the YCBA’s Archives, Prints & Drawings, and Rare Books and Manuscripts departments.
• Liaises with staff in other departments to coordinate, schedule, and organize collections items as needed.
• Actively monitors collection items used in Study Room locations, identifies and reports conservation concerns.

Additional Duties

• This individual may represent the Study Room on YCBA committees and working groups and may participate in the routine training of regular, student, and casual workers in their duties as needed.
• Provides administrative support including ordering supplies and equipment.
• May participate in the routine training of regular, student, and casual workers in their duties as needed.
• Performs other related duties as needed. 

Work Days/Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. The postholder may on occasion be asked to adjust schedule to cover essential services being offered outside the normal workweek.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues and work pleasantly and effectively with the public, including faculty and students.
2. Excellent computer skills; ability and demonstrated interest in learning new applications and technology skills.
3. Excellent organizational and attention to detail skills. Ability to manage competing priorities. Ability to identify, analyze and solve problems collaboratively and independently utilizing critical thinking skills.
4. Experience with detailed and delicate hand skills necessary for the proper handling and special care of art objects.
5. Experience with – or interest and aptitude for learning skills associated with – leading and training others. Ability to facilitate change and provide direction while building strong working relationships.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated physical ability and willingness to climb ladders, push heavy carts, and lift and handle large, bulky boxes weighing up to 40 pounds.
2. BA with Art History experience. Customer or library/museum user service experience.
3. Two years experience in an art museum or special collections library with responsibility for handling works of art.
4. Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills.
5. Previous experience with collections management and/or request systems as well as data management platforms such as Aeon, TMS, Airtable, etc.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Leads a unit or function, including overseeing and coordinating projects or work processes, and distributes the work of a minimum of two full time employees. 2. Serves as a primary source of information on established procedures and policies for staff and patrons. 3. May perform a range of public and technical services functions. 4. Oversees, coordinates, distributes and monitors the work of staff including preparing daily work assignments, monitoring workflow and making adjustments as needed. 5. Provides research assistance to patrons and staff in writing and at reference desk. 6. Interviews patrons to determine scope and depth of requests. Identifies and resolves problems. 7. Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, reference sources, files, and databases. 8. Develops and maintains system to review shelving for accuracy. Primary responsibility for shelving quality control. Keeps statistics related to shelving to establish workflow metrics. 9. Acquires library material that has been recommended by patrons or librarians. 10. Oversees a unit budget. Monitors expenditures, reconciles statements and maintains records. Organizes special projects. 11. Participates in the training of new employees, casual employees, and student employees. Conducts tours assists with other training as needed. 12. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Two years of related work experience in the same job family and a Bachelor's Degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

11/10/2026

Job Category

Administrative Support

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade E

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$35.64

Benefits

A general description of the benefits to be offered with this Clerical and Technical position is available at:

Yale Benefits

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.