Curatorial Assistant

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

62880BR

Job Summary

The Curatorial Assistant assists in the management, cataloguing, organization, rehousing, handling, and movement of Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East’s objects; with particular focus on its basement storage collections. Reports to the HMANE Chief Curator.

Position Description

Assist with all aspects of collections management of the HMANE’s collections.

• Performs tasks necessary to undertake the electronic cataloguing (at present: TMS collections management system) and physical inventory of the collections.
• Reorganizes collections in storage, including any necessary re-housing.
• Lends assistance to the registration, conservation, documentation (including photography and 3D scanning), research, and exhibition of the collections as assigned.
• Responsible for the organization and maintenance of specified storage spaces in the Museum.
• Facilitates the work of interns and students on selected projects.
• Performs clerical functions related to the creation and maintenance of the catalogue and the physical inventorying of objects.
• Performs other duties as required

Basic Qualifications

2-3 years museum collections management experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Accuracy, attention to detail, flexibility, and initiative required.
• B.A. in archaeology, anthropology, or museum studies preferred (specialization in the Ancient Near East a plus).
• Familiarity with museum cataloguing procedures, inventory methods and emerging technologies, object handling, and/or laboratory processing of artifacts required.
• Ability to maintain consistent descriptive standards of museum collections required.
• Ability to handle fragile collections in keeping with museum standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of and working experience with materials for display and storage of museum collections beneficial.
• Excellent computer skills and familiarity with collections management databases; knowledge of The Museum System (TMS) preferred.
• Ability to work well on independent and team projects and to work under deadline pressure.
• The incumbent has or develops a set of specialized skills that will assist the current goals of the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, such as in-depth knowledge of Ancient Near Eastern archaeology, photography, digital image processing, or object handling and movement.

Physical Requirements

Requires considerable manual dexterity, ability to lift fragile objects, ability to lift 35-40 lbs, repetitive motion at keyboard, long periods of standing and bending.

Working Conditions

Most duties will be completed in the HMANE basement Collections area, a secure/non public space (note: the Collections area is below ground, with little access to natural light) with a small group of interns, student workers and the Chief Curator. Other duties may take place in Artifact Storage & the Exhibit Galleries on floors 1-3 of HMANE.

Additional Information

The Curatorial Assistant will contribute significantly to the long-term care of the HMANE collections, thereby facilitating future access, research, and exhibition for scholars and Museum professionals alike. The successful candidate will work closely and regularly with the Chief Curator to improve storage environments, augment digital assets and properly monitor the Museum collection, including objects/artifacts, photos, accession files and excavation reports. Physical exhibitions within the Museum galleries are visited by thousands of students, scholars, and the general public annually, while digital resources, successfully disseminated, can reach hundreds of thousands around the world.

Offer letters will be made and sent by FAS Human Resources.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function
Museum

Department Office Location
USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code
403082 Curatorial Assistant III

Work Format
On-Site

Department
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Sub-Unit
Arts and Humanities

Time Status
Part-time

Salary Grade
053

Union
55 – Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Identity

Schedule
This position is 21 hours per week. Schedule will be determined in conjunction with your supervisor. 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.