MUSEUM PREPARATOR

ARIZONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Arizona Historical Society is a nonprofit organization and state agency established in 1864. AHS connects people through the power of Arizona’s history. AHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Arizona’s past through museum exhibitions, libraries and archives, historic sites, educational programs, and the Journal of Arizona History. AHS seeks to be the driving force strengthening Arizona’s communities by promoting history through leadership, partnership, and scholarship.

Arizona Heritage Center

1300 North College Avenue

Tempe, Arizona, 85288

Hourly: $19.00

Grade: 17

Open Until Business Needs Are Met

This position requires a wide range of skills relating to the development, building, fabricating and installation of exhibitions.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to work with various department teams to assist in building exhibitions that support our Mission and address diverse audiences.

• This role also includes and is not limited to attending and hosting in virtual and in person programs as needed by the exhibits team, working with the Historical League and any other AHS partner organizations, and working with marketing and experience ideas teams as needed

• Installation and deinstall of exhibits requires travel to the four museum locations at times & will require driving the state van and transporting objects and materials as needed for that process

• This includes, but is not limited to: painting galleries, installing cases, hanging panels & photographs, handling and installing objects,& any other necessary tasks

• Work with Adobe Pro & Photoshop to help curators and supervisor with panel and photo designs for any temporary and permanent gallery refreshes

• Follow exhibit designers and supervisors instructions to build any materials needed for upcoming exhibits and exhibit maintenance

• Preparator I will assist the exhibits team and supervisor in installing any new temporary, permanent, & updated exhibits as needed

• Partake in any additional training and professional development as directed by supervisor and/or exhibit team lead(s)

• Ensures that the exhibits are clean & all objects, panels, and photos are in accordance with museum standards

• Seek out conferences and other networking opportunities to expand knowledge of best museum standards

• Use of all types of woodworking and finishing tools to build pedestals, platforms, walls and cases

• Attend exhibit team meetings and follow exhibit team plans as laid out by the calendar

• Regular maintenance of existing exhibits & lighting throughout display areas

• MIG welding for fabrication of exhibit elements and object mounts

• Maintenance of workshops &tools

Knowledge of:

• Museum protocols and procedures Knowledge of standard practices for exhibit fabrication

• Standard practices to produce and mount museum labels

• Lighting techniques in museum setting

Skilled in:

• Using standard business computer programs to communicate, perform research and assign and complete required on-line training courses

• The safe and effective use of hand and power tools, including woodworking and painting equipment

• Construction and installation of exhibits according to design specifications

• The use of appropriate lighting techniques

Ability to:

• Standard business computer programs to communicate, perform research and assign and complete required on-line training courses

• Work with various agency teams, staff, temporary workers, interns and volunteers

• Work collaboratively with the exhibit teams

• Communicate effectively with others

• Prioritize and organize

• Previous experience constructing exhibits in a museum setting preferred

• Must be able to obtain a valid state driver's license

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave

• Retirement plan

• Health and dental insurance

• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Brian Westerberg at brian.westerberg@azdoa.gov