STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Museum Curator 2

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230424-5856AR-001

Introduction

Connecticut State Library Digital Collections - Connecticut State Library  Digital Collections
The State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Library (CSL), is currently accepting applications for the position of Museum Curator 2, with the Museum of Connecticut History, in Hartford, CT. The Museum of Connecticut History has been collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting objects related to Connecticut’s political, industrial, and military history since 1910. Permanent and changing exhibits trace the growth of the State and its role in the development of the nation from the Colonial era to the present. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
  • To work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023- State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • Industry leading health benefitsincluding medical and dental coverage
  • Competitive salary and structure
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and professional development opportunities
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees

THE ROLE:

As the expert on the museum’s collections, Museum Curator 2 is responsible for identifying objects appropriate for acquisition and maintaining loans with other museums. Museum Curator 2 will be a seasoned professional in the museum and history field who remains conversant on current best practices in the museum field, with particular attention paid to collections care, exhibits, and historical interpretation, and has an in-depth familiarity with the history and context of the collections. Additionally, Museum Curator 2 will be responsible for:
  • Organization, storage, and preservation of the museum’s extensive collection of objects
  • Responding to inquiries about collections items in a timely, proficient, and courteous manner 
  • Conducting historical research 
  • Providing interpretive content 
  • Planning and implementing exhibits of museum collections
  • Maintaining the museum’s collections management database
  • Performs related duties as required

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
  • Full time, First shift
  • Some remote work possible
ABOUT US:
CSL is an Executive Branch agency founded in 1854. The State Library provides a variety of library, information, archival, public records, museum, and administrative services for citizens of Connecticut, as well as for the employees and officials of all three branches of State government. CSL also serves students, libraries, researchers, and town governments.


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Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

Important Information After You Apply:
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov

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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the State Library or Department of Economic and Community Development, Division of Culture, this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks in curatorial work in the research, documentation, conservation and exhibition of major historical museum collections.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs the most complex curatorial duties in a museum collection; researches historical collections to determine origin, age and value; documents historical artifacts and identifies their relevance to Connecticut history; determines need for restoration work on historical and artistic collections; accessions, registers and catalogs collection items and new aquisitions; maintains master log and other records systems; plans and designs collection exhibits; supervises and trains staff; may subcontract for necessary professional preservation services; may prepare grants for funding; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of American history with particular reference to social, cultural and technological trends as reflected in museum collections and themes; considerable knowledge of methods used in cataloging, preservation, restoration and storage of historic collections; knowledge of basic research materials; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to perform historic research; considerable ability to prepare exhibits of museum collections; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional museum experience with responsibility for preservation and exhibition of historical museum collections.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been performing curatorial work at or above the level of Museum Curator 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in American history, American studies, archaeology, art history or a related museum subject area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. Completion of certified graduate training programs in Museum Studies (such as those offered by Cooperstown or Winterthur) may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of thirty (30) semester hours equalling one and one-half (1 1/2) years of experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working at a museum or historical society 
  • Experience using collections management software
  • Experience caring for historical objects
  • Experience with historical interpretation and the development of exhibits
  • Experience with Connecticut’s industrial, political, or military history 
  • Experience working in a team environment
  • Experience interacting with patrons through phone, email, and face-to-face communication

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.