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Exhibits Technician

Employer
University of Colorado Boulder
Location
Colorado, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Nov 17, 2021


Job Summary

Exists to design, produce, install, de-install and maintain exhibits for the Museum of Natural History. Serves as liaison for traveling exhibit program. Position is variable hours, driven by exhibits production schedule.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The CU Museum of Natural History fosters exploration and appreciation of the natural environment and human cultures through research, teaching, and community outreach. We provide academic training for graduate students in Museum and Field Studies; build, conserve, and interpret research collections; and offer exhibits and educational programs for the University and the public.

Founded in 1902, the Museum employs more than fifty faculty and staff as curators, collection managers, public program specialists, designers, instructors, and administrators. The Museum maintains collections in all fields of natural history as well as human history. The Museum is divided into sections, which administer specific parts of the collections: Anthropology (Archaeological and Ethnological materials), Botany (Plant collections), Entomology (Insect collections), Paleontology (Fossils and associated materials), and Invertebrate Zoology (Invertebrates other than insects) and Vertebrate Zoology.

The Museum's collection has grown from a handful of objects to nearly five million. The CU Museum of Natural History has the largest natural history collection in the Rocky Mountain region. The museum was first accredited in 2003 and received re-accreditation from the American Association of Museums in 2019, an achievement earned by less than 5% of museums in the U.S.

The Museum has five exhibition galleries where visitors can explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Our youngest visitors enjoy Family Corners where everything is hands-on.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Exhibit installation and de-installation
  • Research, specify, order, and facilitate delivery of exhibit building materials.
  • Generate shop drawings as assigned.
  • Fabricate 2 and 3 dimensional exhibit elements from consultations, sketches, and technical drawings including: case work (floor and wall), case furniture, object mounts, architectural elements, and exhibit electrical.
  • Install exhibits.
  • Help execute UCMNH collections installation plan as assigned.
  • Assist in the creation of staging areas for installation.
  • Prepare, paint gallery spaces as assigned.
  • Lift, handle and move exhibition crates, casework and panels as needed.
  • Install 2-D and 3-D exhibit elements and multi-media components as assigned.
  • Assist in handling and installation of collection materials consistent with conservation standards and security requirements.
  • Coordinate delivery and installation of exhibit elements by outside vendors as assigned.
  • Monitor the activities of student workers in the installation process.
  • Document packing order for all loaned materials.
  • Conduct incoming and outgoing condition reports on loaned materials as assigned.
  • Coordinate shipping and storage of crating! packing materials for loaned collections or materials.
  • Install or adjust exhibit lighting as assigned.
  • De-install exhibits.
  • Help execute the de-installation plan for UCMNH collection materials.
  • Help coordinate and monitor student worked involved with de-installation.
  • Coordinate packing of loaned materials from outside sources.
  • Coordinate pick-up, shipping and handling of outside loans.
  • Coordinate pick-up, storage or disposal of exhibition materials.
Student supervision
  • Help coordinate, monitor and schedule work for assigned GA and student hourly staff.
  • Provide tutorials for student workers in operation and maintenance of shop equipment.
  • Monitor work of student workers in shop.
  • Post ads and help recruit work-study students.
Exhibit development
  • Design exhibit elements as assigned.
  • Conduct content research as assigned.
  • Help implement audience research as assigned.
Traveling exhibits
  • Issue, collect and collate condition reports from or to sponsors.
  • Issue, collate, and archive evaluation forms from sponsors.
  • Coordinate shipping between CU and venue, venue to venue, venue to CU.
  • Monitor shipping costs and billing timelines for each venue.
  • Coordinate shipping between CU Property Services and Museum.
  • Maintain current inventor archive and location of traveling exhibit stored by Property Services.
  • Ensure maintenance of exhibits and exhibit crates by regular inspection.
  • Recommend and implement necessary repairs to traveling exhibit elements and crating.
  • Design, construct or coordinate construction of exhibit crates as assigned.
  • Evaluate, schedule, implement and perform required maintenance of exhibits and crating.
  • Maintain archive of audience data, including visitation and evaluation for year-end reports.
Exhibit maintenance
  • Monitor all galleries every other day for needed maintenance.
  • Lighting (spent lamps, worn or broken elements).
  • Identify, schedule and implement repairs to exhibit elements as needed, including multi- media exhibit components.
  • Maintain lighting inventory.
  • Monitor and purchase sufficient lamp inventory for standard replacement in galleries.
  • Monitor, maintain, and recommend purchases of track lighting fixtures for all galleries.
  • Coordinate outside vendors in repair or cleaning as assigned.
  • Make recommendations for upgrades in lighting.
Shop
  • Monitor, maintain, recommend repairs to workshop, exhibit spray booth tool and equipment.
  • Research, recommend and acquire shop tools as required for production of exhibit elements.
  • Maintain shop inventory of exhaustible materials such as saw blades, adhesives, hardware.
  • Assure that shop area is a clean and safe environment for workers.
  • Provide overview of tool location and tool operation to students working in shop.
Administration/general
  • Attend Exhibit Section operations meetings.
  • Participate in exhibit task force meeting as required.
  • Maintain and submit time records for exhibit projects to supervisor.
  • Stay abreast of changes in materials and technologies relevant to exhibit production.
  • Organize and monitor location of casework, vitrines and exhibit elements within the Museum.
  • Maintain inventories of graphical materials (ink cartridges, paper) for Exhibit Section.
  • Assist supervisor in assigned administrative tasks.
What You Should Know
  • This position is expected to work 20 hours/week.
  • This position is not expected to be remote.
  • All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to align with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.
What We Can Offer

The adjusted salary range for this 50% position is $22,500-$28,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be adventurous. Be game-changing. Be Boulder.

What We Require
  • Bachelor of Fine Art or other design field degree (architectural, industrial, landscape, et. al.).
  • Two years of experience working in museum exhibitions or similar design and implementation-driven enterprises.
What You Will Need
  • Demonstrated ability to perform hands-on work necessary to fabricate and implement exhibit elements in a precise and aesthetic way and to conduct exhibit maintenance, including familiarity with handling and exhibiting museum collections (mount making, model making, gallery lighting, packing and shipping of artifacts).
  • Expertise in designing multi-media displays and interactives, including video, animation, Flash or similar programming, and use of other digital technologies.
  • Demonstrated ability to adhere to project plans and meet deadlines.
  • Computer literacy, word processing (MS Word and Excel), basic graphical application (such as Adobe Design Suite or related).
What We Would Like You To Have
  • Masters of Fine Arts or masters in Museum Studies with a demonstrable focus in exhibit production and implementation. Extensive experience in exhibits fabrication and implementation in museums or private sector. Experience in CAD based software for shop drawing production.
Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. A current resume.
  2. A cover letter that specifically addresses how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time.

Please apply by December 6, 2021 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu


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