Founded in 1909, The Newark Museum of Art (“the Museum”) is one of the most influential museums in the United States and the largest art and education institution in New Jersey. Its extensive collections, which include art from around the world as well as significant holdings of science, technology, and natural history, rank 12th in size nationally. The Museum is dedicated to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement with an overarching commitment to broadening and diversifying arts participation.
The Museum’s renowned collections and interpretations have the power to educate, inspire and transform individuals of all ages. As our mission statement aptly states, “We welcome everyone with inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and foster community”. The Museum responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse audiences it serves by providing exhibitions, programming, a research library, partnerships, and resources designed to enrich people’s lives. The Museum’s collections are presented on a seven-acre campus that encompasses the Ballantine House, a Victorian-era mansion—a National Historic Landmark, the Dreyfuss Memorial Garden, and Horizon Plaza. The Museum also features the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium as well as the MakerSPACE, a dedicated maker studio and exhibition space that offers interactive, hands-on activities for visitors all ages that integrate the arts with STEM learning.
Under the leadership of its Director/CEO, Linda C. Harrison, The Newark Museum of Art is poised for a chapter of transformation, exciting growth, and development. This position is instrumental to raising awareness and audience engagement while supporting Membership and fundraising drives to support the goals of the institution.
Position Objective:
The Newark Museum of Art is seeking an Associate Registrar for Science, a museum professional experienced in registration and collection management principles as they relate to natural history collections. The Associate Registrar takes overall responsibility for the risk management and documentation of the natural history collection as well as the physical care of the collections and spaces used for collection storage, preparation, and exhibit. The Associate Registrar position is a permanent full-time position that reports directly to the Registrar.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor and implement best practices for the registration of the natural history collection.
- Collaborate with other staff to create, compile, and maintain documentation for accessions, deaccessions, and loans.
- Monitor the ethical, legal, and regulatory environment surrounding natural history and cultural collections and work with the Registrar on implementing and revising policies and procedures as appropriate.
- Connect science specimens to existing records and, with the Database Administrator, develop plans for data entry.
- Determine and implement best practices for the care, display and storage of the natural history collection.
- Oversee access to the collections as needed.
- Responsible for research of taxonomies (including working with research consultants) and oversight of implementation of chosen systems.
- Oversee collection inventory.
- Keep records of work performed on objects in database.
- Label specimens with appropriate tracking numbers as needed.
- Responsible for integrated pest management.
- Provide registration services for temporary exhibits and permanent exhibit upgrades.
- Advise on best practices for packing, shipping, and import/export requirements for incoming and outgoing natural history specimens.
- Generate reports of collections activities to meet a variety of needs.
- Provide input to Registrar for annual budget.
- Participate in grant projects as needed.
- Other duties as assigned to meet the mission of the Registrar Department.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences required.
- Master’s degree in natural sciences preferred.
- Minimum of two years natural history museum registration/collection management experience required.
- Familiarity with best practices for the registration and care of natural history collections required.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and computer skills.
- Familiarity with TMS software and digital imaging a plus.
Essential Functions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that are to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use speech and hear, lift heavy objects, perform moderate physical activity, climb on a ladder, travel to and move around in offsite locations.
Salary: $42,000 (plus competitive benefits package)
Interested candidates should submit resume and letter of interest to:
Email: humanresources@newarkmuseumart.org
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Newark Museum of Art does not discriminate against candidates based on race, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, or any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.