MUSEUM COLLECTIONS SPECIALIST (HALF-TIME / BENEFITED)

Job Description

The Position

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Museum Collections Specialist to fill one (1) half-time vacancy in the Museum Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.

This position is responsible for assisting with the cataloging, recordkeeping, digitization, inventorying, and general care of the objects in the Museum of Riverside’s different collections. The Museum Collections Specialist serves as vital support to the curatorial staff of the Museum, including, but not limited to, the Collections Registrar, Museum Curators, and the Archivist.

The successful candidate for the position of Museum Collections Specialist will have experience in collections management activities, including object handling, inventorying, cataloging, and digitizing, as well as experience with a computerized collections management system, maintaining both physical and digital object records.

The Museum Collections Specialist must be able to handle a demanding workload, managing multiple projects simultaneously within a dynamic and changing work environment. The ideal candidate will be an analytical thinker, have a strong work ethic and possess an ability to perform detailed work quickly and accurately. Finally, they will bring to the position a sense of humor, can-do attitude, and the desire to be part of the team who will bring about momentous change for the institution.

The Museum Collections Specialist performs a variety of specialized and technical tasks in the, management of museum collections, documentation, and storage.

Work Performed

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with the documentation and cataloging of collections.
• Maintain recordkeeping systems to control and identify objects and specimens, including creating, supplementing, digitizing, and maintaining individual digital records and physical files. Participate in reconfiguring collection storage spaces and individual storage solutions.
• Assist in developing written materials such as a data-entry manual and/or other collections management-related guides for use by others in accessing collection records.
• Participate in the photo-documentation of collections and photo file storage.
• Participate in the reconfiguration of collection storage spaces and individual storage solutions.
• Maintain curatorial library.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in museum studies, historic resources management, education, history, or a related field.

Experience: One (1) year of experience in museum collections management activities including digitizing records, computerized database, and maintaining both physical and digital files.
Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of artifact and specimen handling and documentation
• Experience in using the principles, methods, and practices of collections registration, storage solutions, photo-documentation, and other collections-related recordkeeping
• Experience performing both varied and repetitive collection management work; proper handling of museum artifacts and specimens
• Experience creating and updating records rapidly and accurately
• Experience with relational database programs (TMS Collections specifically)
• Experience with computers and related equipment, including scanners and digital cameras

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Work is done in a standard office or museum environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and limited direct exposure to hazardous physical substances requiring the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Employees may be required to carry boxes of supplies, set up equipment, climb ladders, and lift up to thirty (30) pounds. Employees may occasionally interact with the public.

Selection Process

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Résumé, Cover Letter, including fully detailed experience for the highly desirable qualifications listed, and (3) three professional references

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.

NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:
An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at Members - NACES or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/ .An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - General Unit

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,687 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $50 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the SEIU MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• State Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California
• Vacation Accrual - 0-4 yrs. = 80hrs, 5-9 yrs. = 120hrs, 10+ yrs. = 160 hrs.

For other special compensation, refer to the SEIU MOU .
For additional benefits information, please visit the following website: https://www.riversideca.gov/human/employee-hub/benefits/about-1
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.

Closing Date/Time: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific