The Las Cruces Museum System is made up of four city museums: The Branigan Cultural Center, The Museum of Art, The Museum of Nature and Science, and The Railroad Museum. This position will oversee the daily operation of the Las Cruces Museum System’s collection stored at an offsite warehouse and reports to the head of the collections department. The job description below is the city’s standard description for a Museum Curator position and focuses heavily on programming and exhibition duties that are the responsibility of Education and Exhibition Curators. The Collections Curator will assist with research and collection access for programs and exhibitions, however developing exhibits and implementing programming will not be their primary focus. The Collections Curator will primarily be responsible for cataloging and inventorying collection items, overseeing student assistants working within the collection, managing the Collections Management Software (CMS), creating custom storage for artifacts and ordering archival supplies, and maintaining proper condition reports for incoming and outgoing loans. The museums’ collection contains historic 3D artifacts, natural history specimens, archives and photographs, and artwork. The Collections Curator will need to be knowledgeable of proper storage and handling practices that reflect the variety of the collections and be able to assist with exhibition installations. The Collections Curator will also be an essential part of processing research requests and providing content for the museums’ social media.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, organizes and manages museum programs and exhibitions; develops concept for exhibits and programs and formalizes design; recommends art and artifacts for exhibits and educational programs that complement the themes of gallery exhibitions, including performances.
• Plans and maintains permanent and temporary museum exhibits, exhibit-related displays and presentations; coordinates the presentation of traveling exhibitions; prepares graphics including signs, banners, murals, labels and schematics according to intended audience.
• Researches, identifies, classifies, and writes promotional materials for exhibitions and educational programs including object lists, labels, ad copy for newsletter, gallery guides, and other materials; conducts research in connection with identifying and describing objects in the collections and concepts of the educational programs.
• Plans and organizes loan exhibitions and special programs; meets with artists, educators, community groups, and members of the public to discuss programs and potential exhibitions; conducts lectures, tours and training; answers inquiries from the public; coordinates work of instructors, volunteers, students and part-time employees; prepares correspondence, reports, and budgets.
• Assists in development, implementation and monitoring of marketing and promotional efforts; presents public programs about museum activities; works with staff, Museum Foundations and other organizations in coordinating, promoting and operating fund-raising projects and special events.
• Researches opportunities for cultural programs, activities and special events; coordinates work with other municipal departments and community organizations
• Evaluates existing programs for effectiveness, and recommends new programs or program changes; tracks services provided, monitors results, and generates operational reports as needed.

Bachelor's Degree in humanities, liberal arts, art history, museum studies or related field AND two years museum program management experience OR a combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.  Master's degree is desirable. 

Salary:$49,502.75 - $70,093.92 Annually

For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lascruces/jobs/4261415/museum-curator-collectionsthis link.