Part-time Museum Collections Manager (20 hours per week, 4-year term with potential for extension)
PO Box 3773 | Plymouth, MA 02361 | 508-746-0012 plymouthantiquarian.org
Museum Collections Manager Job Description
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Part-time (20 hours per week), Non-exempt
Term: 4-year appointment with potential for extension, contingent on funding and organizational priorities
Compensation: $26,000 annually ($25/hour)
Position Overview
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society (PAS) seeks a skilled and mission-driven Collections Manager to support a transformative, multi-year initiative focused on collections stabilization, documentation, and stewardship. This term-limited role is designed to build on the momentum of PAS’s Historic Clothing and Textiles Initiative—the first goal of the Society’s current Strategic Plan and its highest institutional priority.
In the first phase of this position, the Collections Manager will collaborate closely with the contract textile conservators now leading the pilot phase of the initiative, coordinating workflows, participating in garment cataloging and condition assessment, and supporting trained volunteers. Over time, the Collections Manager will assume full responsibility for continuing and expanding this work—playing a lead role in inventory completion, storage improvements, and long-term stewardship planning.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the future of one of Plymouth’s most remarkable and underutilized collections—and to help shape the next chapter in PAS’s commitment to professional collections care.
Strategic Priorities of the Term Appointment
- Work alongside PAS’s contract textile conservators to support the pilot phase of the Historic Clothing and Textiles Initiative, including:
- Coordinating inventory and documentation efforts.
- Participating in cataloging, condition assessment, labeling, and photography.
- Supporting volunteers in transcription, handling, and object rehousing tasks.
- Gradually take over full responsibility for ongoing project implementation, including project management, planning, and strategic recommendations for long-term sustainability.
- Assist in the identification and processing of deaccession candidates, in line with PAS policy and mission relevance.
- Improve long-term collections storage solutions, including environmental monitoring and space planning for the Carriage Barn and other PAS facilities.
- Coordinate with the Executive Director on exhibit development and provide hands-on support for exhibit preparation and installation, including object selection, condition reporting, mount planning, and display logistics.
Core Responsibilities
- Maintain and expand accurate records in the collections database (PastPerfect), with a focus on textile and domestic material culture collections.
- Supervise and coordinate volunteers involved in collection care and documentation.
- Monitor and improve environmental conditions in collections spaces
- Work closely with the Executive Director on object selection, research, and preparation for exhibitions.
- Support installation, movement, and deinstallation of collections objects for display.
- Respond to research inquiries, assist with public programming, and contribute to digitaloutreach and social media related to the collection.
- Help develop and update policies, workflows, and training materials for collections care.
- Provide written material for institutional communications, including newsletters, blog posts,and social media features highlighting collections work.
- Serve as a staff advisor and participant on the Collections Committee, contributing updates,professional insight, and strategic input on collection-related issues.
- Ensure that all activities align with professional museum standards and ethical stewardshippractices.
- Other duties may be assigned in accordance with institutional priorities and at the discretionof the Executive Director.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Work takes place across PAS’s historic house museums, office spaces, and collections storage areas. The role requires:
- Regular movement of artifacts, artwork, and records weighing up to 50 pounds
- Frequent climbing of stairs within multi-story historic structures
- Work in conditions with variable temperature and humidity
Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Public History, or related field or equivalent professional experience. Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with artifact inventory, cataloging, and preventive conservation.
- Strong organizational and collaborative skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Commitment to ethical stewardship and public access to collections.
- Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication skills.
Preferred:
- Experience working with historic textiles or garments.
- Familiarity with PastPerfect or other CMS software.
- Previous work in historic house museums or with decentralized collections.
- Basic photography or collections imaging skills.
Schedule
This is a part-time, non-exempt position requiring approximately 20 hours per week, generally scheduled during weekday business hours. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be requested with advance notice. Flexibility in scheduling the 20 weekly hours is permitted, however, the schedule must align with the operational and event needs of the organization.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to Executive Director Patrick Browne at pbrowne@plymouthantiquarian.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
