Opened in 1977 in the heart of our civic center, the Los Altos History Museum is a highly successful community museum located about 30 miles south of San Francisco. The 1.36-acre Museum complex consists of a 1905 historic house museum interpreted as an orchardist’s home in the 1930s, a modern 3-story, 8,200-square-foot museum building, and outdoor agricultural displays, next to a heritage orchard. We feature top-quality, award-winning original exhibitions and superior curriculum–based education programs amid an active schedule of lectures, programs, family activities and special events which attract diverse audiences. Serving roughly 10,000 people a year from all around the Bay Area, the private nonprofit Association of the Los Altos Historical Museum manages the collections and archives owned by the City of Los Altos and other lenders. The Museum is fortunate to have tremendous community support and a talented volunteer network. Our annual budget (approx. $1,200,000) is funded by individual donations, municipal support, grants, membership, bequests, special events, gift store sales and an active event rentals program.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
One of a small professional staff, the Exhibits Specialist is responsible for the Museum’s award-winning Changing Exhibit program, and permanent exhibitions which oversees three gallery spaces: the Main Changing Gallery, the permanent Geschke Gallery, and the J. Gilbert Smith Gallery. As a fully integrated part of a team including several volunteer committees, the Exhibits Specialist forwards the Museum’s mission to educate the public. A full-time, exempt position, this position reports to the Executive Director.
Responsibilities Include:
- Management: Selects appropriate changing exhibit topics in coordination with the Exhibits and Collection Committees, Executive Director and Board.
- Multimedia Components: Manages the multimedia exhibit components in the permanent gallery in coordination with outside contractors.
- Graphic Design & Production: Prepping exhibit layouts, floorplans, elevations. Identifies and supervises vendors responsible for producing panels, which may include designers, printers, installers, and painters, etc. Ensures that the production costs do not exceed budget.
- Research: Ensures that all exhibit text and photographs are appropriate, well-researched, and accurate utilizing the Museum’s Past Perfect database and library as well as traditional research outlets.
- Display: Utilizes best practice in visitor interaction to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
- Coordination: Works with staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth operation and calendaring of exhibition set-up, take-down, and adjustments as needed to accommodate the various museum operations.
- Outreach: Negotiates with lenders, other museums, and local businesses to find artifacts and stories to support chosen exhibit topics.
- Adult Programs: Produces lectures, classes, and programs that appropriately supplement changing exhibitions topics in coordination with the Director of Communications and Exhibits Committee and Marketing Committee.
- Training Manuals: Drafts materials that are made available to supplement exhibit content for the training of docents or for special needs/translations/etc., such as family guides, bookmarks, hand-outs, or digital apps.
- Family Programs: Coordinates with the Museum Educator to support large, public events on the Museum grounds.
- Promotion and Marketing: Assists the Director of Communication and PR Committee with promotion and marketing of exhibitions and related programs.
Desired Skills:
- Excellent communication, research, organizational skills, and attention to detail required.
- Skilled at multitasking several exhibit projects in various stages of development simultaneously.
- Ability to work with a wide diversity of people, staff and volunteers, build consensus, and provide leadership.
- Graphic Design, and an aesthetic sensibility required. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suites desired.
- Fluency with a range of computer software, including: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google Apps; other online, cloud-based project management and collaboration tools; collection databases such as Past Perfect.
- Demonstrated ability for decisiveness and initiative in solving problems.
- English fluency in both spoken and written form.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in a project coordination role. Experience in a lead capacity desired.
- Previous experience developing exhibitions, collaborative projects and familiarity with the responsibilities of curators, content developers, designers, preparators, registrars, fabricators, and other exhibit-driven positions is highly desired.
- Proven experience working closely with skilled volunteers.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, history, anthropology, business administration, art history, design, or related field. Master’s degree in museum studies, or related field preferred.
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals. Bilingual (spoken and/or written) in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or other non-English language preferred but not necessary.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Must be able to lift 30 lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time. May require climbing a ladder and driving personal vehicle. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Location: Los Altos, CA (San Francisco Bay Area/Peninsula)
Company Name: Los Altos History Museum
The Los Altos History Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Nonprofit tax identification number 94-2542813.
Please send cover letter and resume to: careers@losaltoshistory.org Subject Line: Exhibits Specialist.