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Re: Position announcement



The following position is available at the Chicago Historical Society.
Interested persons should send a resume to Human Resources,1601 N. Clark
Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60614.

CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

POSITION AVAILABLE

POSITION TITLE: Collection Manager, Archives and Manuscripts,
                       Department of Collection Services

POSITION PURPOSE: To build, document, and preserve the collection.  To
ensure that
the collection is properly accessioned, and that it is housed, stored,
handled, and
exhibited in a safe and prudent manner.  To sustain and enhance CHS's role
as a premier
research institution.

PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE GOALS, 2000-2005: Make CHS's resources electronically
available; process new acquisitions; participate in developing and
implementing a long-range preservation and conservation plan; maintain
collection storage facilities to insure maximum preservation and access to
the collection; assist with developing and implementing a plan for a
state-of-the-art collection storage and access facility; and assist with the
planning and move of the collection.

CONSTITUENCIES: Donors, researchers, CHS staff, other institutions,
collectors,  the general public, and vendors.

POSITION DUTIES:
Develop an in depth knowledge of the scope, strengths and weaknesses,
condition and associated storage spaces of the collections.
Participate in the development of institutional policies, procedures, and
strategies governing the use of the collections.
Collaborate with other departments to facilitate use of the collections to
meet institutional goals, and support CHS programmatic activities as
directed.
Process new acquisitions, including paperwork, documentation photography,
housing, storing, and updating collection management database.
Check potential donations against holdings to compare condition and prevent
duplication.
Arrange for transport of new acquisitions to CHS property.
Oversee movement of collection materials for exhibition, research, and
conservation purposes.
Respond to telephone, e-mail, and written reference requests
Assist, guide, and orient researchers in their use of CHS's archive and
manuscript  holdings and direct them to pertinent documentation and related
material within CHS as well as other institutions.
Continuously monitor condition and security of storage areas.
Maintain and track supplies for collection storage.
Assist in rotating artifacts on long term exhibition as needed.
Contribute to identifying objects for deaccession; implement plan and
participate in disposal.

Collection Managers may also be asked to:
Assist, guide, and orient researchers in their use of CHS's
three-dimensional holdings and direct them to pertinent documentation and
related material within CHS as well as other institutions.
Respond to reference requests pertaining to the three-dimensional
collections
Assist with outgoing loans as needed, including paperwork, condition
reports, packing, and shipping.
Supervise and mentor interns, work study students, and volunteers.
Conduct tours of storage areas and provide access to holdings for
educational and fundraising activities.
Assist in developing informational brochures, finding aids, lists, and other
topical guides to CHS holdings.
Perform other duties as assigned.

REPORTABILITY:  Reports to the Senior Collections Manager.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Collection Managers work as part of a team that
includes the Director of Collection Services, Senior Collection Manager,
Registrars, Conservators, Photographers, and Retrospective Records
Conversion staff.  The Collection Managers will work with the Historic
Documentation and Research and Access staffs to identify strengths and
weaknesses in the collection, establish acquisition goals, and to ensure
uniform acquisition standards and practices.  Collection Managers will work
with the Departments of Exhibitions, History Programs, Marketing, and
Publications to coordinate and accommodate requests for access to the
collection.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
B. A. in related field, M. A. preferred.
Strong subject knowledge in at least one area of American material culture
Minimum one year's experience handling and cataloguing artifacts in a
museum/library setting.

Knowledge of museum/archival practices and procedures.
Knowledge of conservation issues and procedures.
Experience working in teams as well as independently in meeting departmental
goals.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent memory.
Attention to detail.

Ability to balance multiple tasks/responsibilities/ demands for time.
Ability to deal diplomatically and effectively with all constituencies.
Ability to lift 50 lbs.
A valid driver's license.

Commitment to excellent customer service.

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