COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT (Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations)
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 exhibit development, educational programming, special events and 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: $16.55/Hour
Positions Available: 1
Duration: 16 weeks
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024
Anticipated Start Date: May 8, 2024
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
WebLink: 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:
- Participate in the data cleaning project to improve cataloguing of archival fonds and collections
- Handle, organise and repack artefacts in storage as identified during cataloguing 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 PastPerfect databases, Adobe Creative Suites, Google Suites and Canva for design purposes, and web-based programs
- Communications: Interpersonal, public speaking and writing for social media
- Organization: Track projects and measurable outcomes
- Customer Service: Ensure visitors have a positive experience
- Research: Local history, genealogy, interpretive panels for exhibits and historical presentations
- Time Management: Deliver content within specified time requirements
This position is contingent on successful funding from Young Canada Works (YCW). All offers of employment for this position will be conditional upon satisfactory reference checks.
A student may be eligible for employment if they:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
- are legally entitled to work in Canada;
- are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
- are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
- will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) during the Young Canada Works (YCW) work assignment;
- have been a full-time 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 full-time studies in the semester following the YCW work assignment.
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 & Exhibit Assistant” by 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024. 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, faxed, and late 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. OTM can provide accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request to applicants with disabilities.
This position is contingent on successful funding from YCW-HO. 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 through 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.