06/01/1977 26180

MUSEUM CURATOR SUPERVISOR, HISTORY

DEFINITION: This is supervisory curatorial work involving statewide responsibility for a program in any one of the fields of the History of Decorative Arts, History of Fine Arts, History, or History of Science, Industry, and Technology.

An employee in this class is responsible for directing and coordinating a statewide curatorial program in any one of the fields of Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, History, or Science, Industry and Technology at the state museum; or for directing and coordinating a curatorial program in any one or more of the above fields at field museums and/or historic sites throughout state having collections or exhibits in the fields specified. Work includes responsibility for development and maintenance of exhibits in the specified fields. Work also involves organizing and coordinating programs with other public and private agencies, institutions, or individuals to locate, identify and classify, acquire, preserve, and record artifacts and objects of historic and/or aesthetic significance or interest. Supervision is exercised over the professional, technical, clerical, and volunteer employees assigned to the section or field of jurisdiction, including the assigning and reviewing of work, evaluating employee performance, interpreting labor agreements, resolving complaints or grievances, and insuring the development of staff. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the museum director or a bureau director, and is reviewed through an evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises curators, preparators, clerical and other employees of a state museum section devoted to any one of the fields of Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, History, or science, Industry and technology; or supervises employees engaged in curatorial related activities in field museums and/or historic sites throughout the state having collections or exhibits in the fields specified. Such supervision involves assigning work, reviewing completed work for adherence to standards, and evaluating employee performance.

Plans and supervises the operational aspects of the assigned program, such as assigning projects or studies, scheduling, and directing the flow
of work.

Develops, through individual and group conferences, the efficiency and skill of subordinate employees.

Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor misconduct by subordinate employees and recommends major corrective disciplinary actions or dismissals.

Receives grievances or complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee, and resolves or recommends resolution to grievance or complaint.

Prepares and signs employee performance evaluation reports.

Plans, supervises, and participates in subordinate employees' training activities.

Directs and coordinates the Historical and Museum Commission's statewide program in the assigned field(s) with interested public and private groups and individuals to locate, investigate, accession, preserve, and exhibit artifacts or other objects of interest and/or significance in the assigned field(s).

Supervises and participates in research, publication of results, and dissemination to the public of information pertaining to the assigned field(s).

Supervises and participates in curatorial work such as accessioning, cataloging, storage, and preservation of the collection in the assigned field(s) of specialty.

Has charge of development, installation, and maintenance of the state museums', or field museums' and/or historic sites', exhibits in the assigned speciality field(s).

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

Knowledge of basic source materials for research in the assigned speciality area(s) and of research methodology and techniques used to exploit collections and research findings for educational and promotional purposes.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of museum administration.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of employee supervision of employees, including the assignment of work and overtime, scheduling of employee, handling of grievances, and evaluation of work performance.

Skill in identifying and classifying artifacts and objects of history and/or aesthetic value.

Skill in performance of historical research.

Skill in planning and designing museum exhibits in the specialty area(s).

Skill in lecturing, publishing, and teaching in the speciality area(s).

Ability to plan and supervise the work of curators, preparators, and clerical employees engaged in the speciality area(s) and supportive activities.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with pubic and private groups and individuals concerned with the speciality area(s).

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Curator History 2;

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Two years of curatorial work 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, and a master's degree in American History, including or supplemented by either a museum studies course at the graduate level recognized by the American Association of Museums or a museum internship;

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