Collections Manager at Castine Historical Society
The Castine Historical Society (CHS), a vibrant and financially stable regional organization located in historic Castine, Maine, seeks an enthusiastic Collections Manager to oversee its collections, registration, and reference activities. This hands-on position is part of a team of three staff members, enhanced by volunteers, interns, and Board members. The Historical Society is an outward facing organization known for its innovative exhibitions, scholarly programs, and collaborations with community non-profits.
This is a full-time, year-round position. Salary range is $39,000-$43,000 commensurate with experience. The Castine Historical Society also offers a vacation, holiday, sick leave, and generous health insurance benefits package.
The Historical Society’s collection is predominantly archive based consisting of manuscripts, maps, newspapers, photographs, and other archival material related to Castine’s history. In addition, the collection includes works by Castine artists, many of whom are of national importance, and a small but growing object collection including archaeological material from the 17th century French Fort Pentegoet and habitation of the Baron de St. Castin and British Fort George from the American Revolution and War of 1812.
Castine, a coastal town in Downeast Maine, is one hour from Bar Harbor, the University of Maine, the city of Bangor and offers exceptional recreational opportunities.
Responsibilities.
The Collections Manager oversees all museum, library, and archival collections and monitors collection-related issues in two restored historic properties: the 1859 Abbott School housing changing exhibits, and the 1850 Grindle House. The Grindle House contains Historical Society offices, a researcher area, and a state-of-the art two-story collections storage vault. Responsibilities include ensuring appropriate care, security, and environmental conditions; creating and maintaining database records; and storing and exhibiting items safely and professionally. The position also assists researchers, both in-person and via correspondence, with inquiries and access to collections appropriate to their research topic. The position recruits and supervises graduate students for a paid summer internship working on collection-based projects.
Working with the Executive Director, guest curators and designers, and the Exhibits Committee, the Collections Manager serves as a resource for planning, interpretation, and installation of exhibits; writes articles for Historical Society and other publications; and assists in preparing proposals for collection-oriented projects and grant applications. A key function is to take a leadership role to cultivate Historical Society members, the public, and potential donors to build the collection. The Collection Manager advises and supports the Historical Society’s Collections Committee.
Requirements.
A Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, American studies, or a related field is required. Graduate coursework in museum studies, history, library science, archival administration, or other related fields is preferred. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated historical research and writing skills; proficiency with technology, especially databases, scanners, and image processing; familiarity with Dublin Core metadata standards, PastPerfect, Microsoft Office and Adobe suites; and Maine and New England history. The ideal candidate will also exhibit a track record showing an ability to work as part of a team and take direction; ability to work independently; exceptional attention to detail; have excellent organizational skills; and to be customer service oriented.
You may also need to sit and stand for extended periods of time, and occasionally lift items weighing up to 25 pounds. Vaccination for COVID-19 and a successful background security check are conditions of employment.
Send résumé and cover letter to director@castinehistoricalsociety.org. The Castine Historical Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.
