Special Collections Technician (Museum Internship)

Position Summary
This is a full-time paid internship (35 hours a week, 26 weeks) at the Craigleith Heritage Depot, the Town of The Blue Mountains Community Museum & Archive, and a branch of the Blue Mountains Public Library (BMPL). This position will remain open until filled.
Reporting directly to the Museum Curator, the Special Collection Technician will catalog digital collections, archival materials, and artifacts, update collection records, assist with conservation efforts, create small exhibits, conduct research, prepare public-facing materials, and support visitor inquiries, including research and library requests.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Artifact cataloguing including data entry, photography, condition reporting, etc., and assist with Collections Management.
• Safe, secure storage of artifacts, record environmental readings, and provide preventative conservation.
• Digitize images, videos, and objects.
• Assist with receiving and shipments of exhibitions.
• Exhibit research, development, preparation, and mounting.
• Assist with donations to the collection including liaising with donors.
• Planning, delivering, and promoting exhibits, including community exhibits and programs, in coordination with the Curator and Library Programming staff.
• Conduct Museum programs and special events and assist with Library programs.
• Liaise with community groups, historical societies, etc. to promote partnerships regarding exhibits, the collection, etc.
• Provide presentations and tours as required.
• Assist with research requests and provide Tourism services.
• Assists patrons with information and multi- level reference questions and basic computer assistance.
• Display and promote positive “Team Player” attitudes and actions. This includes positive communications with supervisors and other Town staff regarding ideas and initiatives to enhance the workplace improve policies, procedures, and services.
• Communicate with the public in an effective and courteous manner regarding programs, policies, and procedures of the museum and the library.
• Daily activity breakdown includes:

• Collection cataloguing, research, digitization, and/or conservation (65%).
• Exhibition and Program planning and delivery (20%); and
• Customer Service (15%).

Education and Experience:

The BMPL will train Interns for Craigleith Heritage Depot or Library specific knowledge when required; however, the following list is inclusive for a successful Assistant:

1. Certificate in Museum Studies, or Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. History, Archaeology, Public History, Library or Archival Science, English, Geography, Tourism field, Heritage Studies, Education)
2. Experience or understanding of technology developed or adopted by the archival community for digitizing manuscript material and managing digital content.
3. General understanding of the technology developed or adopted by the archival community for digitizing manuscript material and managing digital content knowing metadata standards, reformatting guidelines, and issues related to institutional repositories.
4. Working knowledge of computers, MS Office Suite, Internet searches, and database searches.
5. Industry standard software such as PastPerfect, Integrated Library Systems, Adobe.
6. Must be able to demonstrate strong customer service skills including conflict management, AODA and serving the vulnerable sector.
7. Must be able to demonstrate strong public relations skills, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; and
8. The ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills.

Working Conditions:

Expected Working Environment-The expected working environment of the Museum, including potential hazards, are that of a public service, office setting. Interns can expect the following, but not limited to:

• Meeting with and serving the public in a quick paced environment.
• Use of LCD monitor on PCs for an average of 80% of shift.
• Occasional lifting more than 20-40 pounds.
• Sitting for approximately 50% of shift.
• Walking between multi-level, non-accessible floors when on shift at the Craigleith Heritage Depot.
• Occasional offsite/outdoor activities including extreme heat/cold and contact with wildlife and toxic plants.
• Handling cash.
• Contact with difficult or stressful situations.
• Contact with difficult and aggressive patrons, which may include physical threats to self or others.
• Contact with community and patrons who may be intoxicated or on substances.
• Contact with unregulated general cleaning products (e.g. bleach), including those used in the disinfecting of high touch surfaces and materials.
• Contact with human biohazards including bodily fluids, virus and/or bacteria.
• Contact with contaminated sharps (e.g. Diabetic and/or drug use needles).
• The need to follow Standard Operating Procedures designed to mitigate hazards, including adapting to changing circumstances.
• Use of PPE as designated by the CEO, Manager and/or JHSC.
• Contact with objects that may have contaminates such as dust, mold, rust, chemicals; sharp edges: potential to cut or sliver skin such as paper and wood as documented in the Collections Hazards procedures.
• Work with a range of tools and equipment such as cutters, knives, power tools, hepa vacuum, glue gun, laminator, copiers, scanners, paint; and
• Use of specialized cleaning and cataloguing materials for plexiglass, artifacts and while cataloguing.

Commitment to Health and Safety:

All employees must comply with all health and safety practices as they relate to the work, standard operating guidelines, and the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Comply with, and assume appropriate supervisory responsibility for compliance with, all health and safety practices as they relate to the Library and Museum, standard operating guidelines, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

JOB DETAILS:

Posting Details: This position will remain open until filled.

Hours of Work: This is full-time, 35 hours per week for 26 weeks, starting May 6, 2025. Weekend and evening work required.

Additional Notes: Candidate must meet Young Canada Works Internship Criteria. Priority will be given to graduates who have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.

Direct Reports: 0

Overtime: Applies

Driver’s License: Required Class: G2 or higher.

Tagged as: Education .

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