The Personnel Board of Jefferson County Hiring for Art Curator – Collections at Jefferson County, AL Full Time

Grade 26

CLOSE DATE

09/12/2022

SUMMARY

The Art Curator- Collections in the Merit System is responsible for researching and developing project ideas, managing museum projects specific to their area, and developing strategic plans as they relate to their content area and to the overall plans of the Birmingham Museum of Art. An individual in this role will visit other museums to view exhibitions, trends, and develop ideas for their own exhibitions; they will collaborate with Birmingham Museum of Art on various projects; and they will research, develop, and present their own exhibitions that are specific to their area of art. They are responsible for establishing a timeline, budget management, and overseeing exhibit design and installation. The Art Curator- Collections is also responsible for studying artwork specific to their area, and producing publications concerning art history, origin, etc. The Art Curator- Collections is also responsible for the acquisition of new art for exhibitions as well as the permanent collection at the Birmingham Museum of Art. An individual in this job class will collaborate with the curatorial staff at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:
Participates in the development of strategic plans for curatorial area by working with staff to develop goals, create action plan to achieve goals, monitor progress, and report progress towards goals.

Researches and develops project ideas by visiting other museums and viewing current exhibitions, communicating with curators and museum staff from other museums to discuss trends, identifies traveling exhibitions that would be appropriate for the museum, develops and presents exhibition proposals.

Manages museum projects by establishing goals and timelines, delegating responsibilities, reviewing work, working with staff, volunteers, and outside vendors.

Manages budgets for various projects by establishing budgets for those projects, reviewing available funding, determining if additional funding is needed and how to obtain the funds, reviewing the budgets of staff, reviewing and approving budget expenditures, communicating and building relationships with various donors and contributors, working closely with fundraising staff, and writing and submitting appropriate grants.

Directs and oversees exhibit design and implementation by selecting art for the exhibit, communicating with staff regarding the design plan, making recommendations on the appearance of the exhibit, researching and developing all accompanying texts, and conducting training for volunteers involved with the exhibit.

Researches and studies works of art and art history in order to write and submit publications, study and examine works of art to determine its origin, history, etc., develop lectures and lecture materials on numerous topics, conduct tours, and assess the authenticity of items.

Participates in the acquisition of new art for exhibitions and the permanent collection by assessing the need for new items, recommending the acquisition of art using donations and endowments, analyzing funding options, building relationships to acquire art, and traveling to evaluate and authenticate art.

Conducts various public relations/liaison functions to endorse and promote the museum including creating promotional and informational materials, communicating with various groups and organizations, travels nationally and internationally to speak at various functions, collaborate with area universities, directing the work of student interns, communicating and working closely with support groups, and assisting the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The following Minimum Qualifications are required for this job. You must demonstrate possession of these qualifications by providing a detailed description of your related experience in the work history section of your application. Please note that replicating or restating these minimum qualifications or the information from the Personnel Board’s job description as your own work experience will result in your disqualification. Please describe your work experience in your own words to represent the work you have performed that is related to the minimum qualifications for this job.

Master’s degree in Art History, History, Interdisciplinary Studies or related field with a concentration in European art.

Experience working in an art museum (e.g., internships, fellowships, or in a curatorial role).

Experience researching art objects (e.g., museum collections, dissertation research, or in preparation for an exhibition, etc.).

Experience participating in public programs (e.g., lectures, museum programs, panel discussions, tours, or other events within a cultural institutional setting).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ph.D. in Art History, History, Interdisciplinary Studies or related field with a concentration in European art.

Experience developing and managing art exhibitions.

Experience assessing and researching potential acquisitions.

Experience developing and cultivating donor relations.

Experience writing and publishing in area of concentration.

COMPETENCIES:
Computer & Technology Operations.

Creativity & Innovation.

Learning & Memory.

Leadership & Management.

Oral Communication & Comprehension.

Planning & Organizing.

Problem Solving & Decision Making.

Researching & Referencing.

Reviewing, Inspecting & Auditing.

Self-Management & Initiative.

Sensory Abilities.

Teamwork & Interpersonal.

Technical & Job-Specific Knowledge.

Written Communication & Comprehension.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGES:
Knowledge of art (e.g., age, condition, rarity, etc.) to determine the authentication and value of artwork.

Knowledge of objects of art in their historic development and stylistic contexts (e.g., genre, design, format, and look).

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods for maintaining information on museum collections (e.g., original records, condition reports, photographs, etc.), both electronic and physical.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of caring for collection pieces (e.g., proper conditions for installation, storage, packaging, handling, etc.) as well as methods and equipment used (e.g., chemicals, tools, etc.) in conservation, preservation and restoration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting.

Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Persons requiring special conditions to accommodate a disability when completing the application should contact the Personnel Board at 205-279-3500 before the announcement closing date. Qualified applicants who believe they will need reasonable accommodation in the examination process should complete and submit an Accommodation Request Form. You may obtain an Accommodation Request Form by contacting our ADA Ombudsperson at ADAO@pbjcal.org, or by accessing the “Request for Accommodation” form through the following website: http://www.pbjcal.org/

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County (Personnel Board) provides a public personnel system based on merit principles. The Personnel Board strives for the constant improvement of the public service by employing and developing the best qualified persons available. The Personnel Board provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Employment decisions are made by the Merit System municipality or governmental agency in which the position exists. Each Merit System municipality, agency, or jurisdiction administers its own equal employment opportunity programs in compliance with applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations.