COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT (Young Canada Works)

Job Summary

The Osgoode Township Museum seeks a summer student for the position of Collections Assistant to work with the Museum’s collection and to assist with daily operations. They will work as part of a team and will support the Collections Officer in the execution of all aspects of collections management, including the storage, care, movement, documentation and research of artefacts in the collection.

Wage: $17.20/Hour

Positions Available: 1

Duration: 16 weeks

Anticipated Start Date: May 7, 2025

Hours: 30 hrs/week, Wednesdays to Saturdays 9:00-5:00pm

Contact: James Jensen, Executive Director

City/Town: Vernon

Province: Ontario

Region: Ottawa South

Email: manager@osgoodemuseum.ca

Web: osgoodemuseum.ca

Osgoode Township Museum, located in Vernon, Ontario is housed in a mid-century two room school. It shares the story of Ottawa’s rural and agricultural heritage.

Duties & Responsibilities

This opportunity will provide practical work experience to a Canadian student to:

Perform museum collection management tasks related to clearing a backlog of artefacts:
- Assist in preparing artefact image files for migration to a new Collections Management System
- Handle, organise and repack artefacts in storage as identified during rehousing process
- Catalogue, condition report, and photograph artefacts in accordance with Museum policies and procedures
- Verify and update, edit, and maintain artefact record information in the MINISIS database
- Facilitate the publishing and maintenance of Osgoode Township Museum collections records that are hosted publicly on the Ottawa Museum and Archives (OMAC) website (http://ottawa.minisisinc.com)
- Identify artefacts that may be candidates for accessioning or deaccessioning, and participate in meetings with artefact accessions committee to complete assessment of these artefacts
Support and document the answering and compiling of research to complete public research requests
Assist in producing and developing a videography collections project (Osgoode’s Objects) - https://www.tiktok.com/@osgoodetownshipmuseum
Perform artefact research and content development to augment the temporary Women in Agriculture exhibit
Opens and closes Museum, performs gift shop transactions and other visitor services tasks as required
All other museum related duties assigned as required

Qualifications

Meets employment requirements for Young Canada Works (see statement below)
Excellent interpersonal, public speaking and communication skills
Preference given to candidates with a background in museum studies, art history, library and information studies, archival studies, history or with experience in museum environments
French is an asset

Competencies

Technology: Use of MINISIS and/or similar databases, Adobe Creative Suites, Google Suites and Canva for design purposes, and web-based programs
Communications: Interpersonal and public speaking
Organization: Track projects and measurable outcomes
Customer Service: Ensure visitors have a positive experience
Research: Local history, genealogy, artefact information for exhibits and historical presentations
Time Management: Deliver content within specified time requirements

All offers of employment for this position will be conditional upon satisfactory reference checks.

An individual may be eligible if they:

be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada;
- Note: Non-Canadian students or graduates holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible.
be legally entitled to work in Canada;
be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
meet the specific eligibility criteria of the program to which you apply;
be registered in the YCW online candidate inventory;
be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment; and
not have another full-time job during the YCW work assignment.

Students in an YCW employment program must also:

have registered as a high school, college, CEGEP or university student (as defined by their educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW work assignment; and
intend to return to studies during or after the YCW work assignment.

Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/heritage-organizations-students.html

To Apply:

Qualified applicants should submit a single PDF file containing their CV and a letter of interest to Osgoode Township Museum’s Executive Director, James Jensen, at manager@osgoodemuseum.ca with the subject line “Application: Collections Assistant” by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025. The letter of interest should include a brief outline of the applicant’s knowledge of our organization. The letter should also demonstrate an understanding of the position and should speak to relevant qualifications and experiences.

Mailed or faxed applications will not be considered. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

General Information:

Osgoode Township Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all equity seeking groups, including women, Indigenous peoples and persons of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions. The OTM can provide accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request to applicants with disabilities.

All offers of employment for this position will be conditional upon satisfactory reference checks. There is no public transportation to the Museum site. Work includes weekends and statutory holidays. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The former Osgoode Township was a division of Carleton County which became a part of the City of Ottawa during amalgamation in 2001. The Osgoode Township Museum is located in the southernmost section of the City of Ottawa. The communities in the former Osgoode Township include Vernon, Marvelville, Marionville, Kenmore, Greely, Metcalfe, Osgoode, Manotick Station and Enniskerry. Our organization is committed to preserving and sharing the history of these Osgoode communities.

The Osgoode Township Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Ottawa / Osgoode Township Museum remercie sincèrement la Ville d’Ottawa de son soutien.