Description

The Roswell Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, seeks a Museum Registrar to manage and care for the Museum’s collections and loan items. We seek a dynamic, team-oriented professional with experience and extensive knowledge in registration and collections management. Located in southeast New Mexico, the Roswell Museum is a department of the City of Roswell and presents exhibitions, classes, lectures, film screenings, planetarium programming, festivals and other special events related to art, history and science for visitors of all ages. The Museum opened as the Roswell Museum Federal Art Center on October 6, 1937 as one of nearly 100 Federal Art Centers established nationwide by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. With the WPA’s dissolution in 1941, the City of Roswell took over administration of the Museum. Today, the Roswell Museum is among only a handful of WPA Federal Art Centers still in operation and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The collection includes approximately 9,500 art and historical items and related archives. 

The successful candidate will join a small, dedicated team of museum professionals working to navigate an unprecedented chapter in the Museum's history. Following a catastrophic flood in October 2024, the institution is engaged in a complex, multi-year recovery effort while simultaneously planning for its future. During this period of recovery and transition, the Registrar will play a central role in coordinating conservation efforts, maintaining rigorous collections documentation, and ensuring the responsible care of objects, both directly and indirectly impacted by the disaster. The position will also lead compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), including consultation and relationship-building with Tribal communities, ethical custodianship of Indigenous cultural materials, and the facilitation of repatriation where appropriate.

SUMMARY: This is specialized work in managing the permanent collection and objects on loan to the Roswell Museum and Art Center. Work involves the application of a specialized body of knowledge in collections-based preventative conservation, recordkeeping, documentation, and identification both of the Museum’s permanent collection as well as objects on loan. Work extends to responsibility for the storage, moving and overall protection of these items. Work is performed in accordance with practices and accepted procedures for Museum operation with the employee expected to exercise considerable independent judgement in interpreting these procedures to each individual item in the collection. The work requires considerable pre-employment education and training. Work is performed under the general direction of the Museum Director and may involve supervision of subordinate collections staff and volunteers. Candidate must be able to work within a team environment. Work is reviewed primarily in terms of accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism with which duties are performed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

REQUIREMENTS:

• Develops and maintains a computerized recordkeeping system for identifying all items received by the Museum, either on loan or as part of the permanent collection.
• Develops and maintains object history files and records sufficient information for permanent identification and to assist in the maintenance of the historical perspective on the object.
• Monitors insurance coverage for the Museum's collection in coordination with the City of Roswell Safety and Risk Manager.
• Implements Museum loan arrangements and maintains records on all short-term and long-term loan objects in the collection and on loan from outside lenders.
• Directs and participates in the storage and moving of Museum objects.
• Develops proposals for outside professional conservatory work, administers and participates in the approval of conservatory plans.
• Conducts regular inventories on the location and condition of collection objects.
• Monitors and develops reports on the environmental conditions in the exhibition galleries and storage areas.
• Administers a pest management and monitoring program.
• Directs and participates in cleaning and care of collection and loan items.
• May assist with installation and deinstallation of exhibitions and preparation of didactic materials.
• May drive City vehicles.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Museum Studies, Library and Information Science, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years of museum registrar experience.
• Considerable experience in the use of computers and database management.

Knowledge Of:

• Considerable knowledge of museum registration and recordkeeping principles care and related practices in
  accordance with the American Alliance of Museums.
• Knowledge of Art History with an emphasis on Southwest artists preferred.
• Some knowledge of American History and Anthropology, especially as it applies to Americans native to the Southwest, Mexican Americans and Spanish Americans preferred.
• Art conservation techniques and practices.
• Art history and artistic mediums and the ability to critically evaluate art objects.

Skill In:

• Working independently in an efficient and effective manner.
• A high attention to detail and ability to organize workspaces and set priorities.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess and maintain a valid Class D driver’s license issued by the State of New Mexico.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment and exhibitions spaces. Work involves physical demands including
lifting up to 30 lbs. as well as kneeling, bending and reaching.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a rigid background investigation including work history, criminal records, driving records, and other records deemed necessary.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen administered by a City-designated facility.

CONDITIONS OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT:
Incumbents and candidates must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and insurability in accordance with the City’s insurance carrier.