position description - Sovereign Hill

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POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Curator

Division: Museums, Collections & Research

Reports To:

Senior Curator

Workplace level: Salaried Position

Loading:

Full-time

Special: Will be required to be available to work occasional weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Required to wear costume. rd

Date Position Created: 23 September 2014

Position Review date:

ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT The Organisation Sovereign Hill is internationally recognised as Australia's foremost outdoor museum. The Sovereign Hill Museums Association is a not-for-profit community-based organisation which includes: Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum, the Gold Museum, Comfort Inn Sovereign Hill, Blood on the Southern Cross and Narmbool.

The Division/Department The Museums Division cares for, researches and interprets the Association’s museum collection of some 150,000 items. It presents a variety of public programs — exhibitions, education programs, guided tours, interpretive activities and other events associated with the heritage of the Ballarat region. The Collections and Research Department’s primary purpose is to collect, conserve, research, and interpret the significance of gold mining and the changes wrought by it in Ballarat’s social, cultural, economic, political and technological heritage. In doing so, the Sovereign Hill Museums Association is a significant heritage resource in the networks across Victoria and regional Australia. The majority of the Association’s museum collection is housed at the modern Gold Museum Collections Centre, which also holds the collections of partner organisations, most importantly the Ballarat Historical Society. The Gold Museum’s resources and functions are integrated with the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum and Narmbool pastoral property.

ORGANISATIONAL CHARTER Purpose Our purpose at Sovereign Hill and the Gold Museum is to inspire an understanding of the significance of the Central Victorian gold rushes in Australia's national story, and at Narmbool of the importance of the land, water and biodiversity in Australia’s future.

Mission Our Mission is to collect, conserve and interpret the mining, social, cultural and environmental heritage of the Ballarat region.

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Values Service We will ensure that every visitor’s experience is satisfying, and that their needs are paramount in our decision-making. Respect We will act with respect and free from any form of discrimination in what we say and do towards our colleagues, our visitors, and all with whom we do business; we will respect each other’s dignity and right to privacy; and respect the assets we share in doing our jobs. Safety We will maintain a safe and healthy workplace for all our visitors and for all who work on our sites. Integrity We will act in accordance with international and national codes of ethical practice for museums, including respect for the tangible and intangible heritage we collect, research and interpret; for the primary role of museums as places of lifelong learning; and as individuals, work to help and support colleagues, work diligently to complete tasks, and at all times act honestly. Responsibility We will be a socially and environmentally responsible business and employer, and a vital partner in the development of our region; and as individuals, take responsibility for our actions and ensure our decision-making is objective, consistent and complies with policy and legislation. Sustainability We will maintain our financial viability and independence by using our resources efficiently and effectively.

PRIMARY ROLE Under the strategic guidance of the Senior Curator, the Curator is responsible for exhibition and public program development and delivery at the Gold Museum. The position is responsible for the assessment, development, conservation, research and use of the Associations museum collection. The Curator is also responsible for researching and developing projects in the Outdoor Museum and Narmbool.

WORKS CLOSELY WITH      

Director Museums Collections & Research Department Volunteers Department Costume Department Education Department Interpretation Department

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Key result area

Major activities

Exhibitions/ Public Programs

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Security

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Contribute to the development of policies and procedures for exhibitions, public programs and related museum projects Coordinate project teams for exhibition, public program and other activities Undertake work within budget allocations established for the museum’s range of activities Liaise with professional staff in regional, state and national museums and other institutions on joint projects, exhibitions, programs, research and other activities Carry out research for exhibitions, public programs or related museum projects Install permanent, touring and temporary exhibitions and other displays Write and edit text for exhibitions, related publications, websites and publicity Design text panels and labels for exhibitions, in consultation with the relevant project team Initiate, develop and manage the Gold Museums public program activities, including school holiday activities, special events, offsite presentations and promotional activities Conduct tours of Gold Museum exhibitions and storage areas for staff, volunteers and visitors Prepare and update stories for the Gold Museum web site and related social media Contribute to the implementation of exhibitions and public programs in any of the Association’s venues, online or offsite Manage the Association’s museum enquiries in a systematic, efficient and effective manner Carry out research for enquiries, particularly for those that are complex or not appropriate to be answered by volunteers Contribute to the evaluation of exhibitions, public programs and enquiry handling Develop and implement appropriate standards for collections and communicate these to relevant stakeholders Obtain and apply the necessary skills to manage the Gold Museum and the Collections & Research Team in the absence of the Senior Curator Contribute to the development and implementation of collection security systems at the Gold Museum and other collection stores Ensure the security procedures and emergency response procedures are implemented, reporting any issues to the Collection Manager or Senior Curator Contribute to the development and implementation of collection emergency response procedures Respond to collection emergencies according to established written procedures

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Key result area

Major activities

Collection Management

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  People

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Develop and implement collection development plans to enhance the Association’s museum collection Recommend acquisitions and de-accessions, consistent with collection development priorities Conduct collection audits and inventories Develop appropriate risk-based methods of collection care in exhibitions and public programs Train staff and volunteers in the best methods for handling collection items used in exhibitions and public programs Process copyright clearance on images used in exhibitions, public programs or online Administer incoming and outgoing museum loans Prepare condition reports for collection items used in exhibitions and public programs In conjunction with the Collection Manager and Volunteer Coordinator; support the administration of the collection management system including contributing to;  accessioning, registration, cataloguing and related documentation  maintenance and development of computer databases  development and implementation of collection digitisation projects Assist with the cleaning of the collection storage and exhibition areas as required Carry out specialised cleaning of museum objects as required Participate in the induction, training and mentoring of new and existing staff members and volunteers as required Promote the highest professional standards of collection care and research and act as a mentor to staff and volunteers in this regard Liaise with the Senior Curator, Collection Manager and Volunteer Manager regarding the program of activities required for volunteers Liaise with the Senior Curator, Collection Manager and Volunteer Manager to ensure professional support and appropriate supervision of volunteers working on projects and activities related to exhibitions, public programs and research Train and assist volunteers involved in responding to public enquires Ensure appropriate standards of work are maintained by the volunteers Work with Exhibit Cleaners on problem solving, approved techniques etc. Work cohesively will all team members



Undertake the responsibility of the position to:  SHMA policies and procedures  The Sovereign Hill Code of Conduct  Sovereign Hill Workplace Safety Rules  Equal Opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation and requirements  Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation and requirements  Participate in annual performance reviews, meetings, staff training and professional development as and when required  Help foster a culture which values safety as the primary consideration in all Page 4 of 6

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Key result area Operations (continued)

Major activities activities  Wear uniform and costume in accordance with guidelines set down by The Sovereign Hill Museums Association  Participate in, and promote staff participation in, organisation events and promotional activities as required including New Gold Mountain roster  Contribute to the continual improvement of health and safety procedures  Perform other relevant duties as required

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA  



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At least 3 years’ experience in museum work or a related field is essential Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the role of museums in preserving cultural heritage and communicating the significance of this to the wider community through effective public programming Sound knowledge of general museum practice, including collection development, collection management, administration of loans, exhibition planning and installation, preventative conservation and related museum policies and procedures Demonstrated high level computer skills in Microsoft Office programs and museum database programs eg. Vernon or similar Experience with desktop publishing software eg. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or similar would be desirable Knowledge of web based communication as it relates to museums Well-developed spoken, written and presentation skills, and an ability to represent the Association in a professional manner Excellent organisational skills and proven ability to manage a range of projects simultaneously and to balance priorities Demonstrated capacity to show initiative and provide creative solutions to practical problems Demonstrated ability in training staff and/or volunteers Demonstrated sound knowledge of and ability to maintain OHS standards in the workplace

QUALIFICATIONS   

An undergraduate degree in a relevant area is essential Tertiary qualifications in Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage Studies, History, Public History, Archaeology, Material Culture or related Materials Sciences will be highly regarded Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is desirable

REQUIRED LICENCES/CERTIFICATES  Working with Children Check  Police check  Current First Aid Certificate is highly desirable

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OTHER  Must be eligible to work in Australia

EMPLOYER’S APPROVAL OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

Brett Dunlop_____________________ Director Museums

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_______________ Date of approval

Janice Shelmerdine_______________ Manager Human Resources & Payroll

_______________________ Signature

_______________ Date of approval

EMPLOYEE’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF POSITION DESCRIPTION I have received a copy of the Position Description and have read, understood and accept its contents.

____________________________ Employee Name

___________________________ Employee Signature

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_______________ Date