Curator

Vacancy Announcement 

We are accepting applications for:  Curator
Date Posted:  December 17, 2024
Closing Date: Open until filled. First review of applications is 01/06/2025.                            

About the Position and Department: The O’Fallon Museum offers a variety of exhibits, collections, and programs showcasing the history of our community. This is a full-time, permanent, forty (40) hours a week position under the direct supervision of the Fallon County Commission.

Position Overview:  The Curator is responsible for the care of the museum’s entire collection, promoting the museum, and its exhibits. Seeks to increase patronage and awareness of museum artifacts and collections, utilizing a variety of social media and advertising venues. Oversees all aspects of the O’Fallon Museum to provide a clean, inviting space for patrons to browse, view, and learn about Fallon County and Eastern Montana history. This includes supervision of the collected works, cataloging and organizing artifacts and exhibits. Conducts extensive research on various artifacts and exhibits in the identification and authentication process. Seeks out new exhibits to promote our local and regional history. Designs and sets up exhibits. Provides a high level of customer service by answering questions related to artifacts and exhibits and conducting tours. Engages in extensive and ongoing cleaning of the museum, artifacts, exhibits, and storage. 

Required Education and Experience:  Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Preferred Education and Experience:  The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through experience working in a museum setting, customer service and/or various types of marketing such as various social media platforms.  Other equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:  Must possess or obtain a Montana driver license within thirty (30) days of employment. This position will have unsupervised contact with juveniles and/or the elderly and is subject to pre-employment criminal background check. May utilize a County vehicle and is subject to a motor vehicle driving history review.

Benefits: We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program. This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

Applicant Pool Statement:  If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

How to Apply:  Applications and a complete job description are available at the Human Resources office, 10 W. Fallon Avenue, Baker, Montana or online at www.falloncountymt.gov. You may submit your application online on our website; or via mail to: Human Resources Manager, PO Box 846, Baker, Montana, 59313; or email to [email protected]; or stop by the Human Resources office in the Courthouse. Questions may be directed to Commissioner Kevin J. Braun 406-978-2704, Commissioner Roy Rost 406-978-2213; or to Julie Straub, HR Manager 406-778-8164.

Fallon County Job Description
Fallon County is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to affirmative recruitment, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Human Resources.

Job Overview
The Curator is responsible for the care of the museum’s entire collection, promoting the museum, and its exhibits. Seeks to increase patronage and awareness of museum artifacts and collections, utilizing a variety of social media and advertising venues. Oversees all aspects of the O’Fallon Museum to provide a clean, inviting space for patrons to browse, view, and learn about Fallon County and Eastern Montana history. This includes supervision of the collected works, cataloging and organizing artifacts and exhibits. Conducts extensive research on various artifacts and exhibits in the identification and authentication process. Seeks out new exhibits to promote our local and regional history. Designs and sets up exhibits. Provides a high level of customer service by answering questions related to artifacts and exhibits and conducting tours. Engages in extensive and ongoing cleaning of the museum, artifacts, exhibits, and storage. 

The following is representative of typical work performed but is not necessarily limited to these specific tasks/areas:
Essential Functions
Public Relations – Actively and consistently engages in ways to build patronage and increase exposure of the O’Fallon Museum. Identifies and establishes reliable as well as new avenues of promotion including but not limited to various educational and civic establishments, social media, newspapers, and radio. Communicates with the public, patrons, Board members, and other individuals to answer questions, provide information about the Museum and exhibits. Responds to inquiries from patrons, often resulting in extensive research. Offers guided tours to all patrons, providing information on exhibits and background stories on the artifacts. Plans various activities/events to increase patronage and awareness of the museum including presentations at local schools. Procures merchandise for the Gift Shop, including products from local vendors. Maintains inventory of gift shop merchandise. Sells merchandise, accepts monies, and makes change. Reconciles cash drawer and ensure monies are allocated to appropriate accounts for any consignments. 

Plan, execute, and promote activities and programming for children; this may include coordination with schools and teachers.

Creates and maintains active social media venues such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote the Museum, our exhibits, and special events. Maintains the museum website and social media pages with current activities. This includes establishing a strong social media presence and responding to comments and/or inquiries. 

Department Administration – Prepares annual budget with the Museum Board and County Commission; directs and controls the expenditure of departmental funds allocations within the constraints of approved budgets. Provides the County Commission with regular updates on Museum patronage and events. Attends meetings with the County Commission as needed. Attends all Museum Board and Historical Society Board meetings, providing input and/or information. Handles all advertising to promote the museum and related activities (radio, newspaper, and travel guides). Collaborates with local resources, such as EPEDC, to write, secure, and administer grants.

Preservation of Artifacts – Ensures appropriate preservation of artifacts by engaging in extensive cleaning with proper tools. This involves cleaning individual artifacts and/or large glass display cases, including cleaning antique and delicate clothing, and mannequins as well as handling of fragile exhibits. Polishes silver, hand washes various aged exhibit items such as curtains and/or clothing. This is an ongoing and constant process. Cleaning techniques and depth will vary from light dusting, gentle wiping with cloth, or use of special cleaning brushes. This is often meticulous work involving careful removal and cleaning of fragile artifacts from displays and cleaning of shelves. Engages in proper preservation of artifacts by using appropriate display/storage mechanism such as acid free tissue paper and boxes. When exhibits are changed/rotated, information on new location/storage area is entered into department specific software program to ensure appropriate inventory tracking. Accurately labels artifacts and enters information into software programs. 

Museum Housekeeping – Daily dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, and/or mopping of main museum and other exhibit buildings. Cleans bathrooms including toilets, sinks, mirrors, and floors. Checks for proper lighting; replaces bulbs as necessary. Ensures the outside area of museum is clean and free of debris; may involve sweeping the sidewalk, raking leaves, watering flowers, and/or pulling weeds. 

Cataloging and Exhibits– Seeks out new exhibits to draw and maintain the interest of the public. Ensures all artifacts are properly identified and cataloged. Organizes artifacts for display in collections or stored for safe keeping. Determines when to accept donated items based on current inventory and/or future exhibit plans. Completes appropriate paperwork for loaned and/or donated items. Photographs artifacts and uploads to museum software program; enters all relevant data. Labels and tags artifacts and places in exhibit or in storage. Sets up new exhibits and/or changes exhibits to rotate artifacts in storage to provide new items for viewing to maintain patron interest.

Research – Uses a variety of techniques including but not limited to Internet searches, books, newspapers, libraries, genealogy, and interviews. Completes research in the identification and cataloging process of artifacts as well as in response to patron inquiries about exhibits, homesteads, surrounding towns, local businesses, and/or local residents. Maintains an inventory of local obituaries. Completes research in preparation for public education programs such as school trips and presentations. 

Supervision of Others – Participates in the recruitment of staff. Supervises, schedules, and directs the work of seasonal and intermittent employees to create a harmonious team environment. Completes orientation and training of new employees, trains staff on specific duties and programs. Engages in performance management with staff: scheduling, performance appraisals, coaching, training, skill development, and progressive discipline. Approves timesheets and submits to payroll per established practices and deadlines.

Competencies
The knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics to perform this work include but are not necessarily limited to:  Accountability, Active Listening, Adaptability, Assertive, Attention to Detail, Cleaning, Commitment, Communication – Oral and Written, Computer Skills, Customer Service, Dependability, Detail Orientated, Flexibility, Grants, History (local and Montana), Initiative, Interpersonal Skills, Marketing, Museum Principles and Practices, Multi-task, Oral Comprehension, Organization, Presentation, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Records Management, Research, Social Media, Supervision, and Teamwork.
This position requires considerable knowledge of museum best practices and principles, including the identification and proper preservation of artifacts. Ability to develop and implement interesting displays and exhibits of artifacts. Ability to organize, present, and communicate messages effectively through design of exhibits. Extensive knowledge of Eastern Montana and local history to create interesting and relevant exhibits. Must possess excellent research skills to identify and build the history of various types of artifacts. Requires strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to learn and utilize museum specific software to ensure accurate records of all artifacts received, on display and/or in storage. Possess strong presentation and verbal communication skills. Ability to effectively utilize various social media settings such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; use social media platforms to promote the Museum and build patronage. Must be able to clean the museum buildings, exhibits, and artifacts carefully, thoroughly, and within best practices for such articles. Research and write grants to obtain funding for Museum exhibits and activities; complete all administrative and reporting requirements.

Possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to resolve questions and concerns using good judgment and discretion. Respond calmly and effectively to stressful situations. Must listen actively to ensure effective and correct communication; ability to interact with variety of personalities. Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand; explain rules and procedures clearly to others. Respond to requests for service and assistance with courtesy and respect. As part of our workforce, maintains consistent communication with all County employees, our customers/patrons, and the public via County owned communication systems including but not limited to email, office phone, work cell phone, text, and SMS/IM.

Ability to assign and provide work direction to staff. Organize maintenance and projects. Coach staff to work as a team as well as independently; adapt to multiple demands, shifting priorities and rapid change. Ability to explain detailed and complicated information in simple, understandable terms. Engage in ongoing performance management. Ability to effectively supervise others including scheduling, coaching, evaluation, training, and progressive discipline.

Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Ability to adapt to changing work routines and demands. Apply independent initiative, discretion, judgment, and organization skills to a variety of projects, assignments, and situations. Ability to follow instructions, respond to management direction and take accountability for own actions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Fallon County employees and staff from outside agencies. This position leads the department; will work independently and as part of a team for the betterment of the O’Fallon Museum, Fallon County, and in service to the public.

Safety
Safety is a primary duty and a personal responsibility. County employees are responsible for reading, understanding and following safety rules and procedures as identified within County Policy, our Safety Program as well as at each department/work location/JSA. This position is responsible for wearing PPE as identified in the JSA or when working in areas where there is danger of injury.  Responsible for wearing suitable work clothes as determined by the Commission. Reports all injuries, hazards and/or near misses utilizing established reporting forms and procedures. Knows the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other safety devices. Attends all safety meetings including annual training. This position will not perform potentially hazardous tasks or use any hazardous material until properly trained.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises and directs seasonal and intermittent employees. Responsibilities include recruitment, selection, training, coaching, and administration of disciplinary actions.

Work Environment
This position performs work in a professional office environment as well as within and around various museum buildings. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, 10 key calculators, and filing cabinets. Utilizes cleaning materials including brooms, mops, dusters, and a variety of cleaning chemicals.

Required Education and Experience
Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Preferred Education and Experience
The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through experience working in a museum setting, customer service and/or various types of marketing such as various social media platforms.  Other equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Must possess or obtain a Montana driver license within thirty (30) days of employment. This position will have unsupervised contact with juveniles and/or the elderly and is subject to pre-employment criminal background check. May utilize a County vehicle and is subject to a motor vehicle driving history review.

Compensation
Our Fiscal Year 2024-2025 compensation schedule for a Curator is as follows:
Curator (at hire):                           $26.69 per hour
Curator 1 (completion of year 1): $27.28 per hour
Curator 2 (completion of year 2): $27.87 per hour
Curator 3 (completion of year 3): $28.46 per hour
Curator 4 (completion of year 4): $29.06 per hour
Curator 5 (completion of year 5): $29.65 per hour

This schedule is reflective of and will be adjusted for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment as approved by the Fallon County Commission.

After completion of the first year of employment, an employee becomes eligible to receive Longevity. Longevity is $0.15 per hour every year, with $0.25 per hour every five years.

Benefits
We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program.

This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

Position Type/Hours of Work
This is a full-time, permanent, forty (40) hours a week position; the actual schedule is to be determined.  The nature of the work may result in additional hours/changes in schedule to accommodate programming and events.

Physical and Environmental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. This work requires periods of extended computer use. The employee is frequently required to sit for long periods as well as to stand, walk, sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to handle fragile artifacts with a gentle touch. May be required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. May be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities include close and distant vision.