Cincinnati Museum Center

Reports to: Associate Vice President for Collections & Research (temporarily, Chief Learning Officer)

Supervises: Manager, NAGPRA/Tribal Liaison; interns and volunteers

Department: Collections & Research/Archaeology

FLSA Status: FT, Exempt, $55,000

 

Cincinnati Museum Center, (hereinafter, “CMC”) inspires people of all ages to learn more about the world through science; regional history; and educational, engaging, and meaningful experiences.  CMC is committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. We acknowledge how we’re alike and embrace how we’re different. When we work with empathy and equity, we can build a better community together.

 

Position Overview:

The George Rieveschl Curator, Archaeology, (hereinafter, “Curator”) leads CMC’s archaeology and ethnology departments. The Curator stewards and builds collections in accordance with CMC’s collections policy and legal, ethical and professional standards. The Curator also directs the Department’s research efforts, conducting archaeological excavations and surveys and overseeing the Museum’s NAGPRA program. With support from colleagues, the Curator helps fundraise to support collections-related activities through grant proposals, donor asks, service fees and other mission-related, revenue-generating activities.

 

The Curator will help build, deepen and steward relationships with Tribal, community and academic partners.  This position will consider how to bring forward marginalized narratives and broaden perspectives on Ohio Valley history. The Curator will act as a resource for CMC’s Learning and Exhibits teams and communicate, when requested, to the public and the news media. The Curator will help create and revise relevant permanent and temporary exhibitions and programs, working with colleagues across CMC to advise on key themes and collection connections.

 

Over the next several years, the Curator will guide plans to move the approximately 3,000,000 items and resources in CMC’s Archaeology & Ethnology collections to the new Vontz Family Center for Research, Education & Collections.

 

This position is part of a strong team of historians, scientists and archivists and supervises one staff member, interns and volunteers.  CMC seeks candidates from all communities, including but not limited to People of Color, Tribal citizens, recent immigrants and others interested in telling the rich stories of Greater Cincinnati’s people, past and present.

 

Position Responsibilities duties:

  • Manage Archaeology & Ethnology departments to care for and extend access to collections
    • Process, catalogue and digitize collections according to professional standards, and train and supervise staff and volunteers in these procedures
    • Ensure that archaeological and ethnographic collections are properly housed, catalogued and moved to/rehoused at the new Vontz Family Center
    • Help envision, plan and implement collecting strategies
    • Use collections management software to add to and update collections databases (CMC currently uses Argus for 3D items and ArchivEra for 2D items)
    • Determine preservation requirements and implement solutions
    • Identify, initiate and oversee special projects
    • Work with colleagues in Philanthropy to cultivate and steward related donors
    • Supervise volunteer Adjunct Curator of Ethnology, interns and other volunteers
  • Lead oversight for CMC’s NAGPRA program
    • Build, deepen and steward key relationships with Tribal partners, including those whose ancestral lands lie within the Ohio Valley
    • Guide work to research, consult and repatriate NAGPRA-related material
    • Contribute to exhibition content and programming for Ohi:yo’ Our Home, a new permanent exhibition co-developed with Tribal partners that will share Ohio’s Native cultures
    • Supervise the Manager, NAGPRA/Tribal Liaison
  • Direct research efforts of the Archaeology Department and build strong academic and community partnerships
    • Coordinate archaeological excavations, field surveys and CMC field schools
    • Serve as a knowledgeable and community-connected resource in anthropology and archaeology to CMC staff and guests, researchers, partners and regional organizations; assist researchers with questions relating to the collection, both in person and by phone or email
    • Working independently and with others, research and publish content related to CMC’s Archaeology and Ethology collections
  • Assist colleagues in Learning, Public Relations and Exhibits with exhibitions, communication and programming
  • Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications and experience:

  • Education or Equivalent Work Experience
    • Advanced degree or equivalent work experience in Anthropology, Archaeology or related subject
  • At least three years of experience working in archaeological research or education; experience in museums preferred

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • CMC’s research and activities focus on the history of the Greater Cincinnati region, including what we now call southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana; CMC seeks candidates with knowledge and experience in archaeology and/or cultures of the Midwest and/or the Ohio Valley
  • Keen curiosity and aptitude for learning and sharing new information; solid grounding in museum and/or field methods and professional standards; experience with both analog and digital research methods; broad knowledge of current trends in curatorship, interpretation, accessibility and inclusion
  • Ability to forge strong and respectful relationships with colleagues, donors, community members and Tribal partners.  Experience working with Tribal partners is a strong plus.  Comfort in presenting in public settings, including in person and online.
  • Experience using Windows-based PCs and software, MS Office products, Photoshop, GIS software (ex: ArcGIS or QCIS), cameras and collections management systems.  Must be able and willing to learn and adapt to new technologies.  Familiarity with digital asset management systems is a plus.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with the public and colleagues in a positive, professional manner
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills that prioritize clarity, respect and accessibility
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team
  • Ability to multi-task in an energetic environment

 

Working Conditions

  • Typical office setting at the Geier Collections & Research Center (and eventually Vontz Center), with some time spent at Union Terminal and offsite meetings
  • Some driving – locally, regionally and occasionally nationally
  • Regular and frequent computer and phone use
  • Occasional work near heavy equipment, such as trucks and forklifts
  • 40-hour work week with occasional evenings and weekends

 

Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to sit, stand, bend, kneel, reach and retrieve items, which sometimes requires standing or sitting on concrete floors and climbing tall ladders or mobile stairs
  • Must be able to lift 35 lbs and carry for a distance of up to 10 feet and push or pull a cart weighing up to 100 lbs
  • Extended field conditions in hot, cold and/or inclement weather

 

To apply: visit https://www.cincymuseum.org/jobs/.

About Cincinnati Museum Center:

Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) at Union Terminal is a national historic landmark. Dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration, CMC was awarded the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2012. Organizations within CMC include the Cincinnati History Museum, Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and Cincinnati History Library & Archives. Recognized by Forbes Traveler Magazine as the 17th most visited museum in the country, CMC welcomes more than 1.4 million visits annually.

 

Cincinnati Museum Center is proud to be Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, and status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

 

For more information, visit www.cincymuseum.org.