12/01/1978 26160

MUSEUM CURATOR, HISTORY l

DEFINITION: This is entry level professional curatorial work in a museum or historic site in any one or more of the fields of History of Decorative Arts, History of Fine Arts, history, or History of Science, Industry and Technology.

An employee in this class performs professional curatorial work in caring for and exhibiting one or more collections in any one or more of the state museum sections devoted to Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, History, or Science, Industry and Technology; or performs work at an equivalent level in assisting field museum or historic site personnel in curatorial functions related to a variety of collections in the above categories. Work involves routine duties in the collection, accession, preservation, cataloging, storing, and utilization of artifacts and objects of historic and/or aesthetic significance or interest. Work includes performance of limited research work, such as preparation of bibliographies, compilation of biographical information or other data, and abstraction or summarization of information from source material connected with collections and exhibits. Work may include providing guidance to volunteers. Work assignments are selected by the supervisor to provide orientation and training in the operation of the museum or historic site and in the sources and methodology or research. Specific and detailed guidance inreview of the various aspects of the work is provided by the supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs tasks involved in the normal procedures and methods of managing a museum collection in the fields of Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, History, or Science, Industry and Technology, such as collecting, accessioning, labeling, recording or cataloging, storing, packing, restoring, preserving, and utilizing artifacts or objects having historic and/or aesthetic significance or interest.

Assists a higher level curator or the supervisor, or provides advice and direction to preparators and artists, in planning, designing, and preparing exhibits in the specialty area(s).

Writes correspondence in reply to inquiries from interested groups and individuals concerning collections, exhibits, or related matters.

Compiles bibliographies, researches records for specific information, collects and tabulates data from a variety of indicated sources, abstracts or summarizes information from source material, and drafts factual answers to specific questions.

Maintains records and files, or oversees their maintenance; prepares reports of limited difficulty and complexity.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of American and Pennsylvania history, with particular reference to social, cultural, military, and scientific, industrial and technological developments as they relate to the collection and care of artifacts and objects reflecting such developments.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and basic methods used in the care, cataloging, preservation, and restoration of artifacts and objects of historic and/or aesthetic significance or interest, and in the preparation and construction of museum exhibits involving such collections.

Knowledge of basic source materials for research in the assigned specialty area(s).

Ability to identify and classify artifacts and objects of historic and/or aesthetic value.

Ability to perform simple historical research.

Ability to plan and design the less complex phases of museum exhibits in the specialty area(s).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private groups and individuals concerned with the assigned specialty area(s).

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of museum curatorial experience in the care and exhibiting of museum collections of historical significance, and a bachelor's degree;

                                                                                                                                            or

A master's degree in American History, Fine Arts or related fields, or one or more of the Sciences, which included courses dealing with historical treatment of aesthetic and/or social and/or scientific, industrial, and technological developments in America; and including or supplemented by either a museum studies course at the graduate level recognized by the American Association of Museums or a museum internship.

                                                                                                                                          or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which would afford the applicant the required knowledges, skills and abilities.