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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00110785 |
Description Activated On: 4/15/2026 5:30:29 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. The Curator manages the collections and collections care program at Ephrata Cloister, an American Alliance of Museums accredited historic site. This work also includes advising the Division of Architecture and Preservation, Building Maintenance Foreman, and Historic Site Administrator on the care and preservation of the Ephrata Cloister National Historic Landmark's 12 significant 18th century Germanic historic structures. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Work involves collecting, identifying, classifying, documenting, preserving, cataloging, storing, cleaning, inventorying and the utilization of artifacts and objects of historical and/or aesthetic significance of interest to the Ephrata Cloister historic site. At the Ephrata Cloister, the curatorial work is performed under the supervision of the Historic Site Administrator. The collections under the care of the Curator includes but are not limited to: more than 3,500 artifacts in the permanent collections (furniture, iron, ceramics, textiles, paper, architectural elements); more than 1,050 reproduction and study items; loan collections; library collections (photographic and printed archival materials); records of a historical nature; historic buildings; and landscape features such as cemeteries, gravestones, and monuments. Performs research into the Ephrata Cloister collections at the site and at other locations relating to the present collections on the site; locates Ephrata Cloister and other appropriate artifacts for the site, securing the same by donation and/or purchase; helps to raise funds for the purchase of artifacts for the collections and for conservation of the collection by writing grants. An important aspect of the work involves research into collections. Conducts research required to document collections and artifacts, and to substantiate site interpretation. The Curator assists in the research, planning and development of exhibits and provides guidance and advice to preparators, designers and other personnel (Museum Educator, Facility Operations Supervisor and/or the Site Administrator) involved in the construction or installation of exhibits. The Curator prepares exhibit scripts and labels. Work is performed with latitude for professional judgment subject to the review and evaluation methods and results by the site administrator. Performs research and informational tasks for a variety of interest groups, and/or individuals. The Curator applies PHMC registration and curatorial procedures in dealing with collections. Deeds of gift, letters of acknowledgement and justification forms are completed for proposed acquisitions and submitted, along with photographs to the PHMC Collections Committee in a timely manner. Approved acquisitions are cataloged, documented, stored and cared for in surroundings conforming to professional standards (PHMC and AAM). The curator does data entry into PHMC’s collections management system. The Curator is responsible for maintaining the site collections records and supplying copies of relevant records to the PHMC Collections Manager. The Curator establishes cyclical reviews and inventory and conservation schedules. The Curator advises consultants, DAP staff, the Facility Operations Supervisor, and the Historic Site Administrator in the curatorial preservation and care of the historic structures. This includes participation in the development of historic structures reports, monitoring environmental conditions, developing furnishing plans, and planning for and coordinating the protection in-place, movement, or storage of any artifacts located in structures scheduled for preservation maintenance work. These tasks include building documentation, cataloging and research. The Curator conducts and/or supervises research to implement public programming dealing with topics related to the history of the site and objects in the collection. In this capacity the Curator serves as advisor to the Site Administrator, Museum Educator, and other personnel. The Curator researches and prepares lectures and articles on subjects related to the site and may represent the PHMC at professional meetings/conferences. The Curator may be called upon to assist with in-person or virtual educational programming. The Curator is a member of and participates in a number of professional committees both inside and outside the agency. The Curator may from time to time, in conjunction with the Site Administrator, write grants for the conservation of artifacts in Ephrata's collection. The Curator, in conjunction with the Museum Educator and Site Administrator, provides guidance and oversight to interns with collections and research oriented projects, as well as providing tutorials for object handling and cleaning. The Curator establishes environmental monitoring systems and control for all buildings and storage areas with a focus on humidity stability, pollution and dust containment, pest control and safety. In addition, the Curator coordinates and participates in PHMC training programs for the site staff and other PHMC staff on curatorial issues such as cleaning, storage, climate control, pest control and conservation surveys. The Curator works cooperatively with the staff, and volunteers to facilitate routine cleaning, care and maintenance of collections and providing supervision for staff. The Curator performs related duties as assigned by the Historic Site Administrator at the site. These may include representing the historic site at associate meetings and other appropriate venues, conducting programs and tours, serving as acting director when assigned, corresponding with research scholars and setting up traveling exhibits off site when needed. Travels occasionally to other PHMC sites to assist in curatorial support activities and may prepare reports for those sites as directed by the Director of the Bureau of Historic Sites & Museums. Acts as an advisor on collections care and collections management issues as needed. Is responsible to be familiar with PHMC general safety rules and safety rules specific to this position; for working in a safe manner and following all PHMC safety rules; immediately report all workplace injuries or incidents to their supervisor; and to immediately correct any safety hazards in the work area or report same to supervisor. Enforces all safety rules, procedures, and work practices and takes action to correct unsafe conditions in the workplace. Performs other duties as required under the direction of the Site Administrator. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Curator establishes an inventory schedule as well as a schedule for cyclical cleaning of the artifacts, exhibits and historic buildings. Responds to research inquiries. Research prospective acquisitions to the collections at Ephrata and makes recommendation first to the Site Administrator, Bureau Director and then the Collection Committee. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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