Atwater Kent Collection Registrar

Job Summary

Drexel University is now the steward of the Atwater Kent Collection (AKC)—the collection of the former Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent—held in the public trust. As its steward, Drexel is continuing the mission of the former Museum: collecting, preserving, and interpreting a collection of 130,000+ objects amassed to tell the important stories of Philadelphia’s past and give context for the present. Drexel’s goal is to make this city history collection accessible as a “museum without walls”—for research, interpretive, and educational use—through an Online Collection, loan program, exhibitions, and public programming. Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel is a comprehensive global research university and experiential learning leader. This began with and continues a comprehensive collection evaluation, including an inventory, object research, and ongoing work to improve the Collection Database to facilitate access and use of the AKC.

Essential Functions

• Maintain the intellectual and physical control and care of objects including loans, collection objects, and courier needs in conjunction with a rigorous schedule of long-term and temporary loans and exhibitions.
• Maintains collections records including loan agreements, condition reports, accession records, location changes, insurance records, transaction files, and collection inventories for collections, and for incoming and outgoing exhibitions. (Physical and digital records). Maintains registration aspects of Collections Management Policy. Makes suggestions for updates and revisions as necessary.
• Manages assigned loans communication and documents alongside Director of Collections both domestic and international. Works cooperatively with appropriate staff to arrange transportation and shipment of objects, either incoming or outgoing as well as objects used in curricular programming.
• Maintain quality and accuracy of object documentation in the current collections management system (PastPerfect) and DAMS.
• Works with appropriate staff in installation and de-installation of exhibits and temporary exhibitions. Oversight of packing and unpacking objects for loan or exhibition and serves as courier for museum loans as necessary. Works with conservators retained by the Museum to care for collections needs.
• Moves objects to and from storage as required for preparation, exhibit, conservation, photography, loan, or routine maintenance and rotation.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of collections objects as necessary and appropriate; informs Director of any conservation needs.
• Ensures compliance with various laws and regulations pertaining to collection items such as the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Customs, and related regulations, such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife regulations. Stays current with new technologies and methodologies.
• Assists with Registration related work with other Drexel collections as needed/Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in museum studies with a specialty in collections administration or Equivalent
• A minimum of two years of experience in an art or history museum is required, along with demonstrated knowledge of collections care and management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with DAMS (Digital Asset Management System)
• The ability to coordinate and manage multiple, often complicated, concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• The ability to develop, implement, and track project budgets.
• Strong understanding of proper documentation for acquisitions, collections objects, loans, and other administrative functions.
• Knowledge of appropriate care, handling, and storage for a wide range of formats.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands ≤ 25lbs
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping

Location

• Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a grade of K, $54,630.00 - $81,940.00 . The offered salary is dependent upon internal equity and the successful candidate’s competencies, education, and experience.

For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies, please visit the Compensation and Salaries website .

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Oct 10 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Nov 10 2023 Eastern Standard Time