Brief Description: Hanford Mills Museum (HMM) operates an authentic water and steam-powered National Register-listed historic site in East Meredith, NY. The Museum seeks a summer Collections Assistant to work closely with staff on a variety of key collections projects. HMM is able to offer this position as part of a for-credit internship for students enrolled in relevant graduate or undergraduate projects.
Responsibilities: The Collections Assistant will assist the Mill & Collections Specialist and other staff with a variety of collections care and management work as part of an IMLS-funded project. These projects may include: object and collections research; surveying undocumented and permanent collections objects; cataloging object data in PastPerfect database; marking education and permanent collections objects; assisting with object evaluation and deaccession proposals; and completing basic housekeeping and care of objects and collections storage areas, and other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
• Ability to perform tasks that require remaining stationary and moving throughout the site, moving objects, on varying surfaces, inside and outside, and in a variety of conditions
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Strong attention to detail
Preferred Qualifications:
• Enrolled in or completed bachelor’s or master’s degree program in museum studies, history, education, environmental studies, or a related field
• Knowledge of basic collections and interpretive practices
• Experience with and/or interest in gaining experience with a range of objects, including industrial machines, hand tools, domestic objects, and textiles
• Experience with collections management software (especially PastPerfect)
Duration & Pay Rate: This paid summer position is expected to last 10-12 weeks; the assistant will work 37.5 hours per week with an hourly rate of $14.25. Hanford Mills operates on a Wednesday-Sunday work schedule during this time.
Hiring to begin on a rolling basis starting on March 15.
To apply: Email a cover letter and resume to Kevin Jensen at kevinj@hanfordmills.org.
