MUSEUM ASSISTANT4101E1 Pay Grade: 18 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is specialized museum work assisting staff in the administration of museum activities, programs and collections. Work involves assisting in accessioning and maintaining permanent records of all collections; classifying and caring for collections; and conducting research on the collections. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision…" Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks. Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or technical in nature requiring careful interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL C: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are limited in scope and effect as the work is reviewed occasionally. Errors may cause moderate inefficiency. Costs due to errors may be significant. Contacts - LEVEL A: The purpose of the contact is to obtain, clarify, give or screen established factual information, regardless of the type (i.e., easily understood or technical) within a well-defined relationship. Normal communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Museum Exhibit Technician class in which incumbents fabricate and install museum exhibits. Differs from the Museum Specialist class in which the incumbents administer museum activities such as curatorial, registration or exhibit production work. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Conducts primary and secondary research to ensure collections, programs and information are accurately portrayed according to the appropriate historical period; researches new materials, techniques and innovations relevant to museum activities. Accesses new donations for collections and assists with the processing and cataloging of records for the collections; obtains legal title to all relevant information about donations and aids donors in locating qualified appraisers if requested. Meets with donors to obtain information about donations; explains to potential donors why donations were not accepted into collections. Transports artifacts from donors to collection storage, laboratories or exhibit areas; handles, unpacks and stores artifacts to insure proper standards are observed. Monitors collection and storage to insure that proper environmental conditions are maintained. Oversees the operation of a museum on designated holidays and weekends which may include opening and closing public areas, monitoring the condition of the museum and notifying maintenance or other appropriate personnel if necessary. Assists with museum security and provides information to museum visitors. Manages and maintains film logs for cataloged and inventoried artifacts. May train and/or oversee volunteers, students, contract personnel, interns, or grant-supported staff. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of American history, anthropology, folklore, American studies or one of the natural sciences. Knowledge of society and museum procedures and research techniques. Knowledge of processing and cataloging of records for collections. Abilities *Ability to follow instructions and to work without close supervision. *Ability to relate well to professional staff, other employees, volunteers, and the public. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree relevant to the field of historical organization, agency or museum work and one year of experience in historical society or museum work. Additional experience in the areas listed above may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/94 |